Miguel On The Creative Process & Writing 'Adorn' In Three Hours | Noteworthy

Over three increasingly innovative albums, Miguel has offered a 21st-century update on classic psychedelic soul music. Following in the footsteps of pioneers like Marvin Gaye and Sly & the Family Stone, the Los Angeles native - he was raised in the beachfront community of San Pedro - has drawn from funk, rock, punk, dub and the full range of bedroom-focused R&B while ruminating on subjects like love, sex, intimacy, identity and politics. Along the way, he has collaborated with Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar and Mariah Carey, among many others, and in 2012, he won a Grammy for Best R&B song for "Adorn." Now, in the first installment of the new NPR Music documentary series Noteworthy, the singer reveals the secrets behind his creative process.
This summer, Noteworthy host Jason King visited Miguel in his Los Angeles home and spoke with him in the studio where he's working on songs for an upcoming fourth album. Miguel tells King that until recently, his creative process relied on consuming as much as possible - "ideas, films, art, relationships" - in order to get to a place where inspiration could flow freely. "'Adorn' happened in a night," he tells King of his signature hit. "I literally like landed at 10:30 or 11:00, couldn't sleep and just wrote the song." Within "two-and-a-half, three hours," he had written and recorded the whole song. Now, Miguel finds himself at a moment where thinking about social movements like Black Lives Matter is pushing him toward a mode of songwriting driven by a new feeling of responsibility. He also reveals how he began writing songs on his father's guitar, his love for Bill Withers, why Salvador Dali is on his wallpaper, the best advice Pharrell ever gave him and the importance of L.A. to his artistic vision.

[@Kai-ln9id]

“I don’t do drugs I am drugs” that’s tight

[@enregalia5033]

dali

[@julissagu]

It’s on my bucket list to see this man live, I know I would not be disappointed

[@nlwww]

Same!!

[@jillianerin4821]

Just had the privilege of seeing him again live last night. He’s forever a favorite artist in my book... So much creativity & knowledge in one package mannnnnn.

[@dianabryan7421]

This was such a great interview the interviewer deserves a hand clap I loved this interview!!!

[@adamcalhoun6449]

Thanks for all the love and support ,its because of my Fans I'm here today .i love you bfor that !!! Have you ever been to any of my Concerts? ( three three six four four six nine zero seven four😇✅) you can text me and talk more about our music❤️🥰

[@bluanne4u]

excellence is not an act its a habit

[@kerron68]

good job by the interviewer

[@angelajordan1359]

I agree with you 💯🤟🏿🧏🏿‍♀️

[@brantblk7360]

That window of inspiration is true fr I haven’t wrote in months, but when it comes I can knock out a bunch of songs

[@adamcalhoun6449]

Thanks for all the love and support ,its because of my Fans I'm here today .i love you bfor that !!! Have you ever been to any of my Concerts? ( three three six four four six nine zero seven four😇✅) you can text me and talk more about our music❤️🥰🥰

[@Jovoni.]

Adorn is one of the best songs!

[@neelyhogan-jones5891]

Miguel will be bigger than he knows if he will let it happen. He’s so so good. Love.

[@KristoferBurns]

This interview is Golden, such a real artist

[@taylorchanna]

Love Miguel! He’s so talented

[@adamcalhoun6449]

Thanks for all the love and support ,its because of my Fans I'm here today .i love you bfor that !!! Have you ever been to any of my Concerts? ( three three six four four six nine zero seven four😇✅) you can text me and talk more about our music❤️🥰🥰🥰

[@houlu5017]

@@adamcalhoun6449 🙂 ❤

[@jenmuller7684]

This interview was very cool

[@adamcalhoun6449]

Thanks for all the love and support ,its because of my Fans I'm here today .i love you bfor that !!! Have you ever been to any of my Concerts? ( three three six four four six nine zero seven four😇✅) you can text me and talk more about our music.

[@mikeiahgriffin2193]

I’m in love with this man💞

[@adamcalhoun6449]

Thanks for all the love and support ,its because of my Fans I'm here today .i love you bfor that !!! Have you ever been to any of my Concerts? ( three three six four four six nine zero seven four😇✅) you can text me and talk more about our music.

[@Emotionnewsoul]

Awesome inspiration. Thank you for taking the time for the interview. Huge Fan!!

[@tea3255]

Wow..I love him so much. He is so profound.

[@PoraWasHere]

Great insight and interview! Well done to NPR, Jason King, and Miguel. Please keep these coming!

[@xturk8611]

absolutely loved this interview! thanks for sharing!!

[@Regina-uw5tr]

Taking about hot topics, we need more of these lessons. Thank you Brothers! Peace

[@ChinXYZ]

I love this behind the scenes kinda feel having process series.

[@ameshaus9079]

His smile; I love that positive energy!

[@adamcalhoun6449]

Thanks for all the love and support ,its because of my Fans I'm here today .i love you bfor that !!! Have you ever been to any of my Concerts? ( three three six four four six nine zero seven four😇✅) you can text me and talk more about our music.❤️

[@fibonaccibrown9711]

This is one of my favorite people in the whole world and I have children! This man can sing and change my whole mood! So original! I hardly listen to any of his music once.....MUST.BE.ON.REPEAT! My husband can't wait to get me to one of your concerts!! He knows Imma GFG!!!!

[@QOrtiz]

"How many heartbeats turned into flatlines..." Dang!

[@JameliaPugh]

Loved this interview. Made me love Miguel as an artist even more!

[@adamcalhoun6449]

Thanks for all the love and support ,its because of my Fans I'm here today .i love you bfor that !!! Have you ever been to any of my Concerts? ( three three six four four six nine zero seven four😇✅) you can text me and talk more about our music.

[@tyrandoparti1514]

Always think that the mix of mexican n black blood made great great artists, like also Kid Cudi, that make them feel n vibe on music in a unique vibe

[@jimsgirl6423]

I love his music!

[@drewzcutz1]

Jan 2023 and I’m just getting into this video! Great interview and wise words from Miguel 🙏🏻🔥

[@Annafor12344]

I love his classic psychedelic soul music

[@vincemwenyewe4569]

This is a true genius!

[@sketcher4lyfe]

most underrated interview of 2017

[@pattip8110]

Great interview

[@RandomlyOniC]

This man is definitely talented!!

[@dugipotie3676]

thanks!

[@sarahdw88]

I love this segment !

[@c.ron_onthetrack]

Adorn just be hitting different

[@chrissy5323]

KING🥰❤️

[@michellelove105]

I need him to drop some more music like...NOW

[@SwaggaJonez1]

Inspired

[@theprocess7222]

as a miguel fan i like the interviewer

[@iamswag9017]

Sure thing and do you... my favorite

[@trudon2395]

One smooth Artist 100

[@bricbrac28]

I ❤️him

[@sonyapeach]

He appreciates the majesty that is showgirls! I love him so much just for that alone. I feel like we can be friends. Lol 😂

[@musicsimply9197]

Big Ups

[@phillipngolofwane8573]

Miguel is pretty 💞

[@AaronPollockOfficial]

This is so sick

[@inventordeldiaadia]

It is interesting that they talk about the creative process ... There is little creativity in the new bands ... Here in South America the bands are governed by the industry ... Almost no band has flight or poetry ... Except "La rueda o el barco" A great Argentine band

[@LucasRibeiro-qe9mb]

instrumental de "sem graça" rolando por trás?

[@DorianTwist]

Third baby.

[@shawtchurchjr]

Rerunning old interviews, why?

[@huntingtonparkway]

Sir BigHead New to me.

[@shawtchurchjr]

huntingtonparkway as it will be to most. If it was a slow day they maybe should've given someone an opportunity to write an article and film it. Unless they're trying to push someone at all costs. If it was boring and didnt resonate the first time... move on.

[@CaraaBaybee]

Album release on Dec 1st

[@okaygee4132]

I was wondering what happened to his braids.

[@mckaymusicTV]

Loved the interview and what Miguel had to say about music but when NPR forced politics into the discussion it really turned me off. Even Miguel wanted to change subjects immediately after being asked. Then the interviewer went ahead and asked a second time just to solidify an agenda they have and force the answer they wanted. Never watching NPR again but will keep tabs on Miguel since he seems true to the art.

[@greatmindsthinkalike1378]

What makes him different from artist you haven't heard of but are making skills and lyrics on other sights¿

[@angelajordan1359]

I love to see your beautiful smile face that my favorite. I’m looking for. Thank you for looking for smile face I want one ☝️ 🤟🏿🧏🏿‍♀️😎😉🎶

[@quaterrionmoses4733]

How did he get dreads that fast I think his dreads fake think about it

[@smilingface4222]

Was frank not able to make it

[@EnsiMochi]

First?! 😮

[@kevinladou]

I'm a fan of the finished product, but not how he explains the process lol. it's hard for him to articulate I think, it's just natural.

[@cool7654321]

Lady gaga writing hits in 5 minutes tho I mean dont hurt me too bad xD

[@daveking4974]

Sad.

[@Waffleville]

Cats

[@AbdulKarim-mc5xs]

I was just waiting to hear Marvin Gaye behind the influence for Adorn.....it's pretty much a flip flopped version.

[@Daddytang67]

Processed cheese food product substitute.

[@Austin-vo2gh]

Bro kinda ruined the vibe by getting political at the end

[@irie800]

the answers don’t sound very profound, a bit arrogant as well

[@road_king_dude]

He left out how he ripped off DeBarge.

[@jay.afc17]

did he really?

[@road_king_dude]

Have u heard DeBarge?

[@cheezcola]

Nothing like him and it is 30 years after. Maybe inspired if lucky.

[@road_king_dude]

You sound like a millenial

[@cheezcola]

Road Glider That would be irrelevant even if true. But I am not surprised that you would try saying that to justify that a new artist is ripping off an old one. Have a good day.

[@minaelgendy9156]

dont like it !

[@Cassykakes]

then bye :-)

[@terrencesimmons6651]

Great interview