Miguel American singer, songwriter and record producer, performing under the mononym Miguel Date of Birth: 23.10.1985 Country: USA

1. Miguel: Musical Prodigy with a Multifaceted Heritage
2. Early Life and Musical Influences
3. A Passion for Music and Aspirations
4. The Black Ice Years and Legal Battles
5. A Signing with Jive Records and Legal Woes
6. Critical Acclaim and Commercial Success
7. RCA Records and 'Kaleidoscope Dream'
8. Collaborative Ventures and Political Statements
9. Mishap at the Billboard Music Awards
10. Continued Success and Personal Life

Miguel: Musical Prodigy with a Multifaceted Heritage

American singer-songwriter and record producer known mononymously as Miguel, Miguel Pimentel's penchant for music and unique ancestry, although unrelated, have undoubtedly contributed to his musical success.

Early Life and Musical Influences

Born and raised in San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, Miguel is the son of a Mexican-American father and an African-American mother. His parents divorced when he was eight years old. His musical influences stem from his parents' eclectic tastes, with his mother introducing him to classic R&B and his father exposing him to funk, hip-hop, jazz, and classic rock.

A Passion for Music and Aspirations

From a young age, Miguel knew he wanted to pursue a career in music. By the age of 13, he had shifted his focus from dancing, his initial passion, to music entirely. At 14, he began writing his own songs and experimenting with a cassette player gifted by his uncle.

The Black Ice Years and Legal Battles

During his high school years, Miguel immersed himself in the intricacies of the music industry through his association with the "Drop Squad" record label. He later signed a contract with independent label Black Ice in 2000. In 2004, Miguel began working on his debut studio album, "Young & Free," which was initially scheduled for release in 2006 but was eventually shelved. Despite the setbacks, Miguel's single "Getcha Hands Up" gained some attention and marked his first video release. Recognizing the need for a style and sound overhaul, Miguel parted ways with Black Ice.

A Signing with Jive Records and Legal Woes

After almost a year of persistent efforts, Miguel's manager secured a meeting with Mark Pitts, a media executive. Pitts' attention was drawn to Miguel's song "Sure Thing," leading to a contract with Jive Records in October 2007. Miguel's debut album, "All I Want Is You," faced further delays due to Black Ice's lawsuit against Miguel for breach of contract. The album was finally released two years later.

Critical Acclaim and Commercial Success

In the years following the album's release, Miguel collaborated with various artists, including Usher and Asher Roth. He continued to work on his music, and in November 2010, the legal battle with Black Ice was resolved, allowing the album to hit stores. Although the initial launch was lackluster due to limited promotion from Jive, which was undergoing dissolution, the album's singles gradually gained traction. It eventually peaked at number 37 and sold over 404,000 copies in the United States.

RCA Records and 'Kaleidoscope Dream'

Following Jive's absorption into RCA Records, Miguel signed with the label under Pitts, who became the president of urban music and provided a new marketing team. Miguel's second studio album, "Kaleidoscope Dream," was released in October 2012 to critical acclaim. It debuted at number three on the Billboard 200, selling 71,000 copies in its first week.

Collaborative Ventures and Political Statements

Miguel continued to collaborate with other artists, releasing a politically charged music video for "Candles in the Sun" in February 2013. His lead single from the album, "Adorn," also gained significant recognition, reaching number 17 on the Billboard singles chart and selling over 190,000 copies.

Mishap at the Billboard Music Awards

During a performance of "Adorn" at the Billboard Music Awards in May 2013, Miguel attempted a stage jump that went awry when he landed awkwardly on two audience members. Despite attempts by the show's producers to downplay the incident, Miguel's representatives maintained that there had been no prior objections to the jump. One of the injured audience members, Khyati Shah, later filed a lawsuit claiming severe head trauma and inadequate care.

Continued Success and Personal Life

In August 2013, Miguel released the single "#Beautiful" with Mariah Carey, which became his third million-seller in the United States. His third studio album, "Wildheart," was released on June 29, 2015. Miguel credits transcendental meditation for maintaining equilibrium in his life, as it provides him with the clarity and focus he needs to navigate his world.

Miguel has been in a relationship with singer-model Nazanin Mandi since 2005.