Miguel

“Historically, black music has influenced other cultures and other genres and created other genres.”

“I grew up in Los Angeles when the racial tensions between blacks and Mexicans were very high. Gang violence was very prevalent.”

“Interestingly, I matured as a musician and as an artist before I matured as a man. What I mean by that is, I was ready to be completely vulnerable and honest with myself and unapologetic when it comes to how I express myself in my medium. But I wasn't as secure in doing that when it came to just being myself.”

“'SNL' is probably one of the premiere outlets that a musician can perform on that isn't obviously a music outlet.”

“I'm really excited to put music out that is a clear projection of my lifestyle.”

“I think your conversations are indicative of your tastes - even your diction.”

“For me, the creative process for me always starts in a personal place. I step away from my iPod or any records or CDs.”

“I can write hundreds of songs on simple power chords.”

“I think there's always been progressive R&B music.”

“I associate creativity with independent music.”

“I think at any point, as an artist, whatever the medium - just having an audience means the world.”

“I feel that as artists - whatever your medium is - I feel that we're watching what goes on around us and we take what we don't see, or we don't hear, or we don't feel and we do something that speaks of it; more about it, for it, or against it - whatever our perspective is - that's what our job is.”

“I've honestly never worked with Beyonce. It would be awesome, though; I would love that.”

“If you're interested in any artist, go see them live. I always say that you should go see an artist live. That's an experience that only you and the people in the room can say that they have.”

“It was important for me to remind people that there's no formula... there's no boundary to R&B music.”

“Some of us are only going to show our emotions while we're actually vulnerable. But that's what makes us human.”

“I think it's natural for an artist to explore as they evolve.”

“I have this propensity to just come out and say things. That's how I am in real life.”

“The extremes of who I'd love to be onstage are David Bowie, Prince, and, I don't know, Bjork.”

“I feel like R&B as a genre has become a caricature of itself.”