Miguel

Biography

Miguel Jontel Pimentel, born October 23, 1985, in San Pedro, California, is an acclaimed American singer-songwriter known for his innovative blend of contemporary and alternative R&B. Raised in a multicultural household with a Mexican-American father and African-American mother, Miguel was exposed to a wide range of musical genres including funk, hip hop, jazz, classic rock, and R&B from an early age. He began writing and recording his own songs as a teenager, working at a local production company and signing his first record deal at age 19.

Miguel's professional breakthrough came after signing to Jive Records in 2007, following an initial stint with the independent label Black Ice. His debut album, 'All I Want Is You' (2010), was a sleeper hit, propelled by singles like 'Sure Thing' and 'Quickie.' The album's success established him as a rising star in R&B. His sophomore effort, 'Kaleidoscope Dream' (2012), debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and featured the Grammy-winning single 'Adorn,' earning widespread critical acclaim and comparisons to Marvin Gaye and Prince. Subsequent albums, 'Wildheart' (2015) and 'War & Leisure' (2017), saw Miguel further experiment with psychedelic, rock, and electronic influences, solidifying his reputation for genre-blending artistry.

Miguel's legacy is marked by his ability to fuse diverse musical styles and his impact on modern R&B. His work is characterized by sensual vocals, introspective lyrics, and a willingness to push creative boundaries. He has received numerous accolades, including a Grammy Award and multiple Soul Train Music Awards, and continues to influence the sound and direction of contemporary R&B.

Fun Facts

• Miguel's single 'Sure Thing' went viral on TikTok in 2023, reaching a new peak on the Billboard Hot 100 over a decade after its original release.
• He won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song in 2013 for 'Adorn.'
• Miguel's parents divorced when he was eight, and he credits his mother for introducing him to R&B music.
• Before his breakthrough, Miguel auditioned for the group Fatty Koo but was not selected.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Prince - Stylistic influence; Miguel has cited Prince as a major inspiration for his genre-blending approach and vocal style. (Influence evident throughout Miguel's discography, especially 'Kaleidoscope Dream' and 'Wildheart'.) [Career-long]
• Queen - Influence on musical experimentation and vocal arrangements. (General influence on Miguel's sound and artistic approach.) [Career-long]
• Lenny Kravitz - Inspired Miguel's fusion of rock and R&B elements. (Notable in 'Wildheart' album.) [Career-long]

Key Collaborators

• Travis Scott - Featured artist on Miguel's single 'Sky Walker'. ('War & Leisure' album (2017)) [2017]
• Wale - Miguel contributed vocals to Wale's track 'Lotus Flower Bomb'. ('Lotus Flower Bomb' (2011)) [2011]
• Usher - Miguel wrote songs for Usher early in his career. (Songwriting credits (pre-2010)) [2007-2010]
• Rick Ross - Featured on Miguel's 'War & Leisure' album. ('War & Leisure' (2017)) [2017]

Artists Influenced

• Khalid - Cited Miguel as an influence on his approach to blending R&B with pop and alternative sounds. (General influence on Khalid's style.) [2016-present]
• H.E.R. - Inspired by Miguel's genre-blending and vocal style. (General influence on H.E.R.'s music.) [2016-present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Sweet Dreams (feat. Miguel)
2. Sure Thing (All I Want Is You)
3. Everyday (feat. Rod Stewart, Miguel & Mark Ronson) (AT.LONG.LAST.A$AP)
4. Girl With The Tattoo Enter.lewd (All I Want Is You)
5. Power Trip (feat. Miguel) (Born Sinner (Deluxe Version))
6. Sweet Dreams (feat. Miguel)
7. Weekend (feat. Miguel) (GO:OD AM)
8. All I Want Is You (feat. J. Cole) (All I Want Is You)
9. Sky Walker (feat. Travis Scott) (War & Leisure)
10. Adorn (Kaleidoscope Dream)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #alternative-r&b, #contemporary-r&b, #psychedelic-pop