By: Taren Vaughan
Kendrick Lamar and Miguel may be considered newbies in the music industry but the success that they have had so far screams otherwise. Miguel has been praised as one of the artist who has been able to revive R&B as the genre continues to lose its appeal to the masses and he has even managed to steal the spotlight from Alicia Keys with his performances as he is currently on tour with her. Along with putting out a chart topping debut album, Kendrick Lamar landed himself at the top of MTV’s ‘Hottest MCs’ list this year and didn’t shy away from the chance to break down barriers when it comes to the mentality in the rap game over casting women in music videos. Kendrick and Miguel teamed up for the remix of Miguel’s song ‘How Many Drinks’ and landed on a magazine cover together. Covering the 2013 ‘Big List’ issue of Vibe Magazine, Kendrick Lamar and Miguel both talked about their music careers and the things that had the potential of impacting them. Although Kendrick Lamar’s debut album ‘good kid, m.A.A.d city’ was a solid one and is still getting talked about well after its release, Kendrick says the album was a big risk for him:
“Making good kid, m.A.A.d city was a risk in itself. The idea of a concept record has been lost for a long time—will that translate to 16-year-old kids in high school rather than the super energetic joint on the radio? I definitely had that in the back of my mind when I was creating this album. But having that thought process gave me confidence in knowing that ain’t nothin’ new under the sun. By me doing this, it can be fresh and something new to the kids that are not used to a record that has skits intertwined within the songs and a whole album breakdown. Overall, what I talk about in my music is another huge risk. When you think of the West Coast, you immediately think of crazy-type street credibility. To come from that place but not glorify it is a challenge in itself.”
As for Miguel, the singer was asked about R&B singer Frank Ocean going public with his sexuality and whether or not Frank doing that eclipsed his [Miguel] career. And Miguel says:
“I don’t know if the word is eclipsed. [Long pause] That’s a really tough question to answer, man. In all reality, Frank Ocean took a big chance the way that artists are supposed to. I mean, even his album doesn’t sound like mine or anyone else’s. So sonically and how he writes and what he’s writing about and how he chooses to express himself vocally, all his choices are very unique, and I appreciate that about him. Not only did his announcement overshadow my music, but it overshadowed his as well. The general public was in awe and championing him for being brave enough to make that announcement publicly. I congratulate him for his successes. I would love to hear more of his music. He’s one of those artists that’s being himself and pushing boundaries. I gotta celebrate that.”
Check out the cover below:
I completely agree this is why I love Miguel. Frank is a talented songwriter but he can’t sing worth a damn. Miguel’s album was soo much better than his. I’m sorry but he got all the awards and recognition for coming out instead of his music.
Right.
I so agree. I love me some Miguel! His album is better than Frank’s last one IMHO.
He said the truth. Frank’s music was actually better before he came out the closet. IJS.
I agree with Miguel. I too liked Frank before he came out and felt he used the whole “I’m gay” thing to overshadow that his last album wasn’t his best work. I still like him too though.
Miguel > Frank.
I like them both. But that whole gay thing just overshadowed EVERYBODY. And it shouldn’t have. Truth is Frank’s sexuality shouldn’t even be a big deal. It’s 2013, people have been gay for a very long time. The only thing that matters is what kind of music they are putting out. Not who they are sleeping with.
Miguel’s album is so good,