By Bernard Jai
Whether you’ve admired his futuristic clothing choices, grown to respect the beautiful dissonance of his unique R&B sound, or felt a certain way about the pyretic sexual innuendo in his lyrics, you can bet it all that Miguel is a sure thing. After signing with Jive Records in 2007, he wrote hits for other artists, including Usher, Asher Roth, and Musiq Soulchild. He then released his 2010 debut, All I Want Is You; was nominated for a Grammy in 2011 for cowriting Jaheim’s “Finding My Way Back”; and raised the bar with this year’s well-received mixtape series Art Dealer Chic. Now, the mysterious musician is stargazing on another level with his highly anticipated sophomore project, Kaleidoscope Dream.
Eyes Wide Shut: While Miguel’s progressive, critically acclaimed bow earned him unanimous praise, with Kaleidoscope, the Los Angeles native is now forging a new path. “I wasn’t afraid [with] this project. Yes, there are expectations, but I also have an obligation to say what’s on my mind and what’s happening in my life.”
Gettin’ High: The new album represents the fantasies Miguel believes are channeled through dreams. “Dreams represent the truest form of freedom we can experience, totally unrepressed and totally creative. People ask if I am on drugs. Nope. I am just dreaming.”
Lil’ Freak: Boasting fever-inducing dirty talk on tracks like “How Many Drinks,” “Arch & Point,” and “P**** Is Mine,” the Mexican-African- American singer seems in possession of a severe case of machismo. But he sees things a little differently. “It’s about being gutsy,” he says. “I’ve gotten more comfortable with myself. The boldest thing I did was record it. Period.”
Some Nerve: Even with unabashed confidence, “Mig-Money” admits that he’s nervous. “I’ve mixed genres, chords, and concepts on this album. But I’ve tapped into a new creative place, and I hope everyone is willing to blast off to that place with me.”
