Miguel

Who Is Miguel?

Miguel is a prominent American R&B singer-songwriter who began crafting his musical talent as a teenager. He signed his first recording contract in 2004 and gained widespread recognition with the release of his 2010 album, All I Want Is You. His subsequent album, Kaleidoscope Dream (2012), received critical acclaim and featured the hit single “Adorn,” which earned Miguel the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song in 2013.

Early Life

Born Miguel Jontel Pimentel on October 23, 1985, in San Pedro, California, Miguel hails from a diverse cultural background; his father is Mexican American, while his mother is African American. After his parents divorced when he was eight, Miguel and his brother primarily lived with their mother. Growing up, he was exposed to a wide range of musical influences, including R&B, funk, hip-hop, rock, and jazz, largely due to the eclectic tastes of his parents. By the age of 14, Miguel began to develop his unique musical style, writing and recording his own songs.

Career

In 2004, Miguel was signed by the independent label Black Ice. He completed his debut studio album, Young & Free, in 2006, but the label ultimately shelved the album, releasing only the single “Getcha Hands Up.” Disheartened by this experience, which included a lack of support for the single and its accompanying video, Miguel decided to part ways with Black Ice. He later reflected on this time as a pivotal moment, learning the importance of controlling his own marketing and artistic direction in a competitive industry.

In 2007, Miguel signed with Jive Records. However, the release of his album All I Want Is You was delayed due to a lawsuit from Black Ice alleging breach of contract. The album was finally released in November 2010. Although initial sales were slow, the album gained traction over time, largely driven by the radio success of tracks like “Sure Thing” and “Quickie.” All I Want Is You ultimately spent 45 weeks on the Billboard charts, selling over 400,000 copies in the United States.

‘Kaleidoscope Dream’ and Other Albums

In 2011, RCA Records absorbed Jive Records, bringing several of its artists, including Miguel, under its umbrella. Miguel recorded his subsequent album, Kaleidoscope Dream, with RCA, which was released in October 2012. The album quickly garnered attention, debuting at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and receiving widespread critical acclaim alongside impressive sales figures. The standout track, “Adorn,” achieved significant success, enjoying frequent radio play and high rotation on music videos. Its sensual tone and laid-back rhythm drew comparisons to Marvin Gaye’s classic, “Sexual Healing.”

In recognition of his work, Miguel’s “Adorn” earned the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song in 2013. He also received the Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Male Artist and garnered multiple nominations during the awards season, including for his contribution to Wale’s track, “Lotus Flower Bomb.”

Following Kaleidoscope Dream, Miguel released his next album, Wildheart, in 2015. This was succeeded by War & Leisure in 2017, which featured hit songs like “Sky Walker” and collaborations with prominent artists such as Rick Ross and Travis Scott.