Miguel: influences, peers and legacy

Every connection with its receipt

Miguel Pimentel emerged from San Pedro and Inglewood in the early 2010s with a psych-tinged, guitar-forward take on R&B that fused Prince's eroticism, Hendrix's fuzz and West Coast hip-hop swing. This mix traces the funk-rock lineage he absorbed, the LA scene that surrounded Kaleidoscope Dream, and the singers who followed.

The Kynda mix for Miguel

• Key Influence · Sign o' the Times by Prince (1987). Miguel has repeatedly named Prince as his north star, and the comparison dogged him from Kaleidoscope Dream onward: falsetto layered over drum machines, sexual candour framed as spiritual inquiry, and a one-man-band approach where guitar solos crash into synth-funk. Sign o' the Times is the fullest example of that method — social commentary, bedroom ballads and rock guitar on a single sprawling double album.
• Influencia Obscura · Inspiration Information by Shuggie Otis (1974). A cult LA record by a teenage guitar prodigy who played nearly everything himself, drenching soul songs in drum machine, guitar and vibraphone before anyone had a name for it. Long ignored until a 2001 reissue, it prefigures exactly what Miguel does: a Black guitarist refusing the R&B/rock split, recording woozy, homemade-sounding funk in Los Angeles. The connective tissue behind Wildheart's fuzz.
• Local Roots · channel ORANGE by Frank Ocean (2012). Released weeks before Kaleidoscope Dream, from the same Los Angeles moment: two young Black singers writing in first person about class, desire and drift, both breaking the template of major-label R&B in 2012. The pair were constantly bracketed together in press coverage of that year's alternative-R&B wave, and both records leaned on live instrumentation and long, unresolved song structures.
• Beyond the Medium · Purple Rain by Albert Magnoli (1984). Miguel's stagecraft — leather, guitar as phallus, the singer as rock-star provocateur — descends from the visual grammar Prince established here, not just the music. The film sold the idea that an R&B artist could be a guitar hero and cinematic antihero at once, a self-mythologising template Miguel drew on in the Wildheart era, whose imagery leaned heavily on California rock iconography.
• Peer · House of Balloons by The Weeknd (2011). The other pillar of the 2011–12 alt-R&B shift: Abel Tesfaye's mixtape hollowed soul out into narcotic gloom the same year Miguel's All I Want Is You broke through. Both artists pushed R&B toward rock textures and morally ambiguous narrators, and both were later measured against Prince and Michael Jackson as they scaled up to arena-sized pop without abandoning the genre.
• From the Canon · Kaleidoscope Dream by Miguel (2012). The album that made his case: Adorn earned a Grammy for Best R&B Song, and the record's minimal, guitar-and-808 palette — Do You..., The Thrill, Use Me — reframed him as an auteur rather than a radio vocalist. Written and largely built with his longtime collaborators, it arrived in the same 2012 season as channel ORANGE and became a defining document of alternative R&B.
• Key Collaborator · good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar (2012). Kendrick guested on the remix of Miguel's How Many Drinks?, and the two Los Angeles artists broke nationally in the same 2012 season, sharing tour bills and the sense of a new West Coast wave. good kid, m.A.A.d city shows what Kendrick brought to that partnership: Compton narrative detail and rhythmic elasticity that Miguel's melodies wrapped around on their collaborations.
• Legacy · Wasteland by Brent Faiyaz (2022). Faiyaz belongs to the generation of R&B singers who grew up on Kaleidoscope Dream's template: sparse production, moral ambiguity, a falsetto used for insinuation rather than display. Wasteland's cinematic sequencing and its refusal of clean romance extend the path Miguel opened for independent-minded R&B men who write their own narratives instead of chasing radio balladry.

What influenced Miguel

• Usher. Miguel names Usher as an influence. “Miguel cites musicians Prince , David Bowie , Jimi Hendrix , Freddie Mercury , Phil Collins , Donny Hathaway , the Notorious B.I.G. , Kanye West , Saul Williams , Queen , Usher and Pharrell Williams as influences” (Wikipedia)
• Prince (1958). Miguel names Prince as an influence. (also via Sign o' the Times) “Miguel cites musicians Prince , David Bowie , Jimi Hendrix , Freddie Mercury , Phil Collins , Donny Hathaway , the Notorious B.I.G. , Kanye West , Saul Williams , Queen , Usher and Pharrell Williams as influences” (Wikipedia)
• Freddie Mercury. Miguel names Freddie Mercury as an influence. “Miguel cites musicians Prince , David Bowie , Jimi Hendrix , Freddie Mercury , Phil Collins , Donny Hathaway , the Notorious B.I.G. , Kanye West , Saul Williams , Queen , Usher and Pharrell Williams as influences” (Wikipedia)
• Phil Collins. Miguel names Phil Collins as an influence. “Miguel cites musicians Prince , David Bowie , Jimi Hendrix , Freddie Mercury , Phil Collins , Donny Hathaway , the Notorious B.I.G. , Kanye West , Saul Williams , Queen , Usher and Pharrell Williams as influences” (Wikipedia)
• Donny Hathaway. Miguel names Donny Hathaway as an influence. “Miguel cites musicians Prince , David Bowie , Jimi Hendrix , Freddie Mercury , Phil Collins , Donny Hathaway , the Notorious B.I.G. , Kanye West , Saul Williams , Queen , Usher and Pharrell Williams as influences” (Wikipedia)
• The Notorious B.I.G.. Miguel names the Notorious B.I.G. as an influence. “Miguel cites musicians Prince , David Bowie , Jimi Hendrix , Freddie Mercury , Phil Collins , Donny Hathaway , the Notorious B.I.G. , Kanye West , Saul Williams , Queen , Usher and Pharrell Williams as influences” (Wikipedia)
• Kanye West. Miguel names Kanye West as an influence. “Miguel cites musicians Prince , David Bowie , Jimi Hendrix , Freddie Mercury , Phil Collins , Donny Hathaway , the Notorious B.I.G. , Kanye West , Saul Williams , Queen , Usher and Pharrell Williams as influences” (Wikipedia)
• Saul Williams. Miguel names Saul Williams as an influence. “Miguel cites musicians Prince , David Bowie , Jimi Hendrix , Freddie Mercury , Phil Collins , Donny Hathaway , the Notorious B.I.G. , Kanye West , Saul Williams , Queen , Usher and Pharrell Williams as influences” (Wikipedia)
• Queen. Miguel names Queen as an influence. “Miguel cites musicians Prince , David Bowie , Jimi Hendrix , Freddie Mercury , Phil Collins , Donny Hathaway , the Notorious B.I.G. , Kanye West , Saul Williams , Queen , Usher and Pharrell Williams as influences” (Wikipedia)
• Pharrell Williams. Miguel names Pharrell Williams as an influence. “Miguel cites musicians Prince , David Bowie , Jimi Hendrix , Freddie Mercury , Phil Collins , Donny Hathaway , the Notorious B.I.G. , Kanye West , Saul Williams , Queen , Usher and Pharrell Williams as influences” (Wikipedia)
• Stevie Wonder. Miguel expresses admiration for Stevie Wonder. “in addition to expressing his admiration for Stevie Wonder , John Lennon and Diane Warren” (Wikipedia)
• John Lennon. Miguel expresses admiration for John Lennon. “in addition to expressing his admiration for Stevie Wonder , John Lennon and Diane Warren” (Wikipedia)
• Diane Warren. Miguel expresses admiration for Diane Warren. “in addition to expressing his admiration for Stevie Wonder , John Lennon and Diane Warren” (Wikipedia)
• James Brown (1933). Miguel calls James Brown the last innovator in soul music. “Miguel revealed his desire to have worked with James Brown , whom he considers the "last innovator for me when it comes to soul".” (Wikipedia)
• The Beatles. Vocal influence noted from the Beatles. “His vocals are influenced by classic rock bands such as the Beatles , Queen , the Police and Def Leppard” (Wikipedia)
• The Police. Vocal influence noted from the Police. “His vocals are influenced by classic rock bands such as the Beatles , Queen , the Police and Def Leppard” (Wikipedia)
• Def Leppard. Vocal influence noted from Def Leppard. “His vocals are influenced by classic rock bands such as the Beatles , Queen , the Police and Def Leppard” (Wikipedia)
• David Bowie (1947). Miguel names David Bowie as an influence. “Miguel cites musicians Prince , David Bowie , Jimi Hendrix , Freddie Mercury , Phil Collins , Donny Hathaway , the Notorious B.I.G. , Kanye West , Saul Williams , Queen , Usher and Pharrell Williams as influences” (Wikipedia)
• Jimi Hendrix. Miguel names Jimi Hendrix as an influence. “Miguel cites musicians Prince , David Bowie , Jimi Hendrix , Freddie Mercury , Phil Collins , Donny Hathaway , the Notorious B.I.G. , Kanye West , Saul Williams , Queen , Usher and Pharrell Williams as influences” (Wikipedia)
• Sign o' the Times by Prince (1987). Sign o' the Times (Prince) — titan for Miguel “Miguel Ángel Landa (born 1936), Venezuelan actor, stand-up comedian, and television personality Miguel Mihura (1905–1977), Spanish absurdist playwright Miguel Morayta (1907–2013), Spanish film director and screenwriter Miguel Ocampo (192…” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Electric Ladyland by The Jimi Hendrix Experience (1968). Electric Ladyland (The Jimi Hendrix Experience) — titan for Miguel (musicbrainz.org)
• What's Going On by Marvin Gaye (1971). What's Going On (Marvin Gaye) — titan for Miguel (musicbrainz.org)
• Inspiration Information by Shuggie Otis. Inspiration Information (Shuggie Otis) — ghost for Miguel (musicbrainz.org)
• Maggot Brain by Funkadelic (1971). Maggot Brain (Funkadelic) — ghost for Miguel (musicbrainz.org)
• Purple Rain by Albert Magnoli (1984). Purple Rain (Albert Magnoli) — culture for Miguel (wikidata.org)
• The Doors by Oliver Stone (1991). The Doors (Oliver Stone) — culture for Miguel (wikidata.org)
• D’Angelo. Kaleidoscope Dream (Miguel) — legacy for D’Angelo (via Kaleidoscope Dream) (musicbrainz.org)

Peers and kindred spirits

• Frank Ocean. Miguel places himself in the same scene as Frank Ocean. (also via Channel Orange) “Miguel identifies himself as part of the new wave of R&B artists that include Frank Ocean , the Weeknd and Elle Varner .” (Wikipedia)
• Blu. Miguel's close friendship with Blu, a fellow musician. (also via Blu and Exile) “Miguel is also close high school friends with rapper Blu , who also lived in San Pedro.” (Wikipedia)
• Marvin Gaye (1939). Critic compares Miguel's voice to Marvin Gaye. (also via What's Going On) “Marvin Gaye , Prince, and (his comparison) Van Morrison all linger in his voice.” (Wikipedia)
• The Weeknd (1990). Miguel places himself in the same scene as the Weeknd. (also via House of Balloons) “Miguel identifies himself as part of the new wave of R&B artists that include Frank Ocean , the Weeknd and Elle Varner .” (Wikipedia)
• Channel Orange by Frank Ocean (2012). channel ORANGE (Frank Ocean) — geography for Miguel “A singer and songwriter whose artful output has defied rigid classification as R&B, he has nonetheless pushed that genre forward with seemingly offhanded yet imaginatively detailed narratives in which he has alternated between yearning r…” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Souled Out by Jhené Aiko (2014). Souled Out (Jhené Aiko) — peer for Miguel “The mixtape featured collaborations from Miguel, Drake and Kanye West as well as others.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar (2012). good kid, m.A.A.d city (Kendrick Lamar) — collaborator for Miguel “Lamar was featured on six songs throughout the year: "YOLO" by the Lonely Island featuring Adam Levine, the remix of "How Many Drinks?" by Miguel, "Collard Greens" by Schoolboy Q, "Control" with Big Sean and Jay Electronica, "Give It 2 U…” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Born Sinner by J. Cole (2013). Born Sinner (J. Cole) — collaborator for Miguel “Both met with critical acclaim, the albums spawned the Billboard Hot 100-top 40 singles "Work Out", "Power Trip" (featuring Miguel), and "Crooked Smile" (featuring TLC).” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Van Morrison. Critic compares Miguel's voice to Van Morrison. “Marvin Gaye , Prince, and (his comparison) Van Morrison all linger in his voice.” (Wikipedia)
• Elle Varner. Miguel places himself in the same scene as Elle Varner. “Miguel identifies himself as part of the new wave of R&B artists that include Frank Ocean , the Weeknd and Elle Varner .” (Wikipedia)
• Blu and Exile by Blu and Exile. Miguel contributed vocals to Below the Heavens. “Miguel also contributed vocals to three tracks on the debut collaborative project of Blu and Exile , Below the Heavens , appearing under the moniker "Miguel Jontel".” (Wikipedia)
• Babyface. Miguel is compared to Babyface. “Miguel is often compared to Babyface and Prince.” (Wikipedia)
• Crazy in Love by Beyoncé. Miguel covered Beyoncé's song. “He covered Beyoncé 's " Crazy in Love " for the theatrical trailers of Fifty Shades Darker (2017).” (Wikipedia)
• Natalia Lafourcade. Miguel duetted with Natalia Lafourcade on Coco soundtrack. “Miguel sang a duet of "Remember Me" with Natalia Lafourcade on the soundtrack of Disney Pixar's movie Coco” (Wikipedia)
• Calvin Harris. Miguel collaborated with Calvin Harris. “Benny Blanco , Miguel, and Calvin Harris released a music video for the song "I Found You"” (Wikipedia)
• Benny Blanco. Miguel collaborated with Benny Blanco. “Benny Blanco , Miguel, and Calvin Harris released a music video for the song "I Found You"” (Wikipedia)
• J-Hope. Miguel featured on a J-Hope track. “in March 2025, he featured on the track " Sweet Dreams " by J-Hope of BTS .” (Wikipedia)
• Asher Roth. Miguel contributed to Asher Roth's album. “he contributed to Usher's Here I Stand and Raymond v. Raymond , as well as Asher Roth 's Asleep in the Bread Aisle and Musiq Soulchild 's " IfULeave "” (Wikipedia)
• Musiq Soulchild. Miguel contributed to Musiq Soulchild's song. “he contributed to Usher's Here I Stand and Raymond v. Raymond , as well as Asher Roth 's Asleep in the Bread Aisle and Musiq Soulchild 's " IfULeave "” (Wikipedia)
• NYU. Miguel served as NYU Steinhardt's Scholar-in-Residence. “Miguel began hosting events exploring creativity, artistic control, and commerce as Steinhardt 's Scholar-in-Residence for NYU 's 2025-26 academic year on October 14, 2025.” (Wikipedia)
• The Electric Lady. Miguel made a guest appearance on the album. “The album features guest appearances by Prince , Solange Knowles , aforementioned Miguel and Esperanza Spalding [ 56 ] with production from previous collaborator Deep Cotton (a psychedelic punk act) and Roman GianArthur (a soul music com…” (Wikipedia)
• Janelle Monáe (1985). The cited video title identifies Miguel as featured on Monáe’s “PrimeTime.” “Janelle Monáe – PrimeTime ft. Miguel [ Official Video ]” (Wikipedia)
• Malibu by Anderson .Paak (2016). Malibu (Anderson .Paak) — geography for Miguel (musicbrainz.org)
• House of Balloons by The Weeknd (2011). House of Balloons (The Weeknd) — peer for Miguel (musicbrainz.org)
• Julia Lang. Miguel collaborated with designer Julia Lang on a fashion brand.

Who Miguel influenced

• Wasteland by Brent Faiyaz (2022). Wasteland (Brent Faiyaz) — legacy for Miguel (musicbrainz.org)
• Take Time by Giveon (2020). Take Time (Giveon) — legacy for Miguel