Miguel Jontel Pimentel, an American singer and songwriter specializing in contemporary and alternative R&B, was born on October 23, 1985, in San Pedro, California. His music career began at the age of thirteen, and he signed with Jive Records in 2007, releasing his debut studio album, “All I Want Is You,” in November 2010. Despite minimal promotion, the album became a surprise hit, contributing to Miguel’s commercial success. Notably, the album’s second single, “Sure Thing,” gained momentum and became a viral sensation in 2023, reaching number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming his most commercially successful song to date.
Following Jive Records’ dissolution in 2011, Miguel moved to RCA Records and released his critically acclaimed second studio album, “Kaleidoscope Dream,” in 2012. Subsequently, his third album, “Wildheart,” received further critical acclaim upon its release in June 2015. His fourth studio album, “War & Leisure,” released in 2017, also garnered acclaim. Miguel’s musical style incorporates elements of R&B, funk, hip-hop, pop, rock, and electronic genres, drawing comparisons to vocalists Babyface and Prince.
Miguel’s upbringing was influenced by his African American mother and Mexican American father, whose musical tastes exposed him to R&B, funk, hip-hop, jazz, and classic rock. In high school, he connected with the production company Drop Squad through a friend and spent considerable time in recording studios before seeking a record deal. Notably, he is also close friends with rapper Blu, who shared a hometown with him in San Pedro.
During the early 2000s, Miguel signed a production deal with Drop Squad and later secured a contract with independent record label Black Ice. He worked on his studio album, “Young & Free,” scheduled for release on November 30, 2006, but the project was ultimately shelved. Despite releasing the single “Getcha Hands Up,” Miguel chose to reinvent his sound and image, leading to his departure from Black Ice Records.
For nearly a year, Miguel’s former manager diligently submitted multiple songs to the renowned music mogul, Mark Pitts. One of these songs, titled “Sure Thing,” held deep personal significance to Miguel, who had never intended for it to be heard by the public. In October 2007, Pitts arranged a meeting with Miguel to discuss the song. Impressed by Miguel’s talent and potential, a recording contract with Jive Records was finalized the following month.
Miguel vividly remembers the signing of his contract, which took place in a modest, tucked-away room within the Jive Records building. With the deal in place, he enthusiastically embarked on the creation of his debut album, “All I Want Is You.” Unfortunately, his journey was met with a legal challenge when he faced a breach of contract lawsuit from Black Ice. This setback resulted in a delay of two years before his album finally saw the light of day.
During this time, in 2007, Miguel also made notable contributions to three tracks on the debut collaborative project of Blu and Exile, earning credits under the name “Miguel Jontel”.