Miguel

Miguel Hontel Pimentel is an American singer, songwriter and music producer who performs under the mononym Miguel.

Miguel was born and raised in Los Angeles in the mixed marriage of a Mexican man and an African-American woman, who divorced when the boy was eight years old. At an early age, he was exposed to the music heard in his parents’ home: his mother listened to old rhythm and blues, while his father favored funk, hip-hop, jazz, and classic rock.

As a teenager, Miguel began composing songs, and to record them, he stole a tape recorder from his uncle. In ninth grade, he met a member of the production company Drop Squad through a mutual friend and would gain experience in a recording studio until high school graduation, at which point he could hope to land a contract.

For nearly a year, Miguel’s then-manager submitted several songs to Mark Pitts – an important figure in hip-hop who had worked with Notorious B.I.G., Usher, and Ciara – and finally, after hearing “Sure Thing,” a business meeting was held in October 2007, and a contract was signed with Jive Records the following month.