Filed under: Exclusives, Interviews, Music
He's the much-buzzed-about R&B newcomer, who's on the fast track to superstardom after being signed to Jive Records by Mark Pitts, the music mogul with a hand in the careers of chart-toppers like the Notorious B.I.G., Usher and Ciara.
Unlike most new artists - who hit the road and work the chitlin' circuit to promote their new releases - single-name singer Miguel's potential secured him the opening act spot on Mary J. Blige's 'Music Saved My Life Tour' with El Debarge and Jazmine Sullivan.
If that wasn't enough, the 24-year-old singer then landed a slot on Usher's 'OMG Tour' with Trey Songz; the tour trek he is currently on now.
BlackVoices.com caught up with the bi-racial entertainer - he's half Black and half Mexican - in Las Vegas hours before he hit the stage at Mandalay Bay Events Center.
As we sat in a lounge at THEhotel at Mandalay Bay, the Los Angeles native, who as a songwriter has penned hits for Usher, Asher Roth and Musiq Soulchild, opened up about his road to success.
When did you know you could write songs?
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Around the age of eight is when I started writing poetry. I was already in love with music so it was just kind of a natural step. Did you discover you could sing then too?
It was probably eight when I crafted a song. I was dancing and performing before that. At eight I realized there is a format and this is a chorus. I was doing songs that kind of mimicked those formats.
Who are your favorite songwriters?
John Lennon, Prince, David Bowie and Stevie Wonder.
Having written for the artists you've worked with, I imagine the publishing checks are pretty good!
The publishing checks are alright. I was told that I would have to be a successful writer first before I would be accepted as an artist. Ironically, I was signed first before I made any placement. I had been working to get placements for such a long time until I realized all my better records were so personal and I should just continue being an artist. After I was signed by Jive that's when I got in the studio with Usher, ended up placing a song with Musiq, Mary J. Blige and Jaheim. That all happened after I got signed. I think it was really just focusing on my craft.
So you get signed to Jive Records, your single 'All I Want Is You' with J. Cole takes off and then you land not one, but two major tours.
It's like 'Touring for Dummies' and I have the cliff notes from all the best. It's been an incredible learning experience. The timing of everything has just been perfect.
Tell me about touring with Mary J. Blige.
I was kinda sandwiched in between two incredible female artists, which is really dope. The audience was different than on this tour and that's what I love about it. The music that I make still fits for both audiences. I got to lImage may be NSFW.
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earn how Mary and El DeBarge on some nights and Jazmine Sullivan connected with the crowd. What I can take from those pieces and glean from them to help my show and to involve the show so we're connecting with that audience. Same thing here, I get to watch Trey and Usher every night and see what they do that's special to connect with their audience. Luckily the music fits this audience as well so I think I'm just open to learning everything. Let's talk 'OMG Tour' since you mentioned it. Has playing arenas been a challenge for you?
Getting the sound right is the hard part of playing in arenas. Especially for an opening act! Usher's show is so big and demanding when it comes to making sure that all of the elements are right. Sometimes we don't get the time to get the sound right and whatnot, which is fine. I'm there to set the tone and we just work through it. Every artist has started at some place and been through it. You have to earn your stripes and it's actually an honor to go through it with somebody that I've already built a relationship with. I kinda have a luxury of getting a little more leeway, it's been awesome.
Tell me about the album, 'All I Want Is You.' What was your inspiration for this CD?
This album is very much inspired by the three major romantic relationships in my life. The story of the album is based on my romantic journey thus far. It has everything to do with coming to the realization that the grass isn't always greener on the other side. It's all inspired by my personal life. Every song is inspired by an actual event or emotion that I've felt in my journey to where I am now.
You're half Mexican. Do you speak Spanish?
Yes but I'm working on my Spanish. I know slang Spanish and I need to step it up. I'm trying to get better.
I got a feeling a Spanish language CD may be in the works!
It's crazy because before this week I wasn't really as excited about it or either I wImage may be NSFW.
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as but didn't think that it would come until a bit further in my life and career because I always thought that taking a trip to where my father is from in Mexico and where my family is would really change my perspective. I had the pleasure of being at the Latin Grammy's this week in Vegas and the energy there and the people were so cool and welcoming it made me excited for it. Hopefully it will come a lot sooner than I expected but I absolutely intend to do Latin music that fits me as person and incorporates my Latin side. Last question, I know your favorite artists are Kanye West, Lenny Kravitz and Prince. If each of them were performing a concert on the same night and you could only attend one, which one would you chose?
Prince. He is more of a legend and I don't know how much longer he's gonna be doing it. I'm a huge of Kanye West and Lenny Kravitz as well but they might have a little more time.
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