Photo: Josh Brasted/Getty Images
Miguel Talks Essence Fest & Self Care-On The Road miguel-talks-essence-fest-his-latin-roots-and-self-care-road
Miguel Talks Essence Fest, His Latin Roots, And Self-Care On The Road
Fresh off the Essence Festival mainstage, GRAMMY.com caught up with the GRAMMY-winning R&B singer/songwriter for an exclusive backstage interview
Jul 7, 2018 - 2:52 pm
Miguel is having a very busy summer, crisscrossing the country on his multi-city Ascension Tour. We caught up with GRAMMY-winning singer/songwriter fresh off the stage at the Essence Festival, to chat about his latest album War & Leisure, connecting his music with his Latin roots, and his "self-care" routine on the road.
You just got off stage, how was the experience for you?
It was good. I [first] played this festival [in a super lounge] like five years ago. I'll never forget the energy and how excited I was to play, because I know how important it is. I think there's just a real love for black music here. Everybody shows up to really enjoy their favorite artist. Tonight, it felt kind of like homecoming. You know? [And I was on the] main stage this time. So, I got to think about the journey on the stage. It was fun.
Jul 7, 2018 – 2:46 pm
Miguel On 'War & Leisure' & Essence Fest
Let's talk about your latest album, War & Leisure. There are sexy lyrics, dark lyrics, politically themed lyrics. What was your head space when writing the songs on that album?
You know I would describe my head space kind of in a bit of turmoil to be honest with you. I think that has a lot to do with just the general energy [of the world]. We're trying to figure out, how we stay positive, but not ignore what's going on [in the world]. That's why War & Leisure was the title, because we're all fighting to stay positive. It's a struggle every single day. Trying to find the balance.
For the first time in your career, there's a predominantly Spanish-language song on your album, "Caramelo Duro" featuring Kali Uchis. What was it that moved you to do that song?
I've had a chance to go visit my family in Mexico, and really kind of get in tune a little more with where my family's from. And the journey from Zamora, which is where my family's from in Mexico, and just really kind of like digest all of the sacrifice. Not only on my father's side, because my father's Mexican, but just overall. I think about the opportunities that I have now, and it really is a culmination of a lot of sacrifice. From my grandparents, their parents, and parents, and parents, and parents, and parents, and [now] here I am, at Essence Festival on the main stage. I have these moments to reflect on that. I think as I progress as just a human being, I want to be more in tune with where I come from. I think that gives me more to offer. The more I understand and really connect with that, and root myself in that, the more I can flourish and branch out. "Caramelo Duro" is like an example of fighting to really understand where I come from, and where my roots are. It's got a celebration in the music, in the sound of it.
How is it like working with Kali Uchis?
You know, we never got to get in the studio together. We met prior for a song that I, regretfully didn't have a chance to really add anything to, for her album. [But] she was really gracious in being like, "Yeah, I'm down to still do something for your album." So, yeah, that's kind of how it happened. We didn't really get to get in the studio. We met, but we didn't get to create together.
So you've had a busy touring schedule this season, how do you stay energized while you're on the road?
Sleep. You got to sleep. Self-care. All of that is so important. Especially as you start to realize the redundancy of touring. It gets real redundant, and that can wear you down over time. I think it's just about being aware of your body. It's hard being on the road and eating right, [so] I try and eat plant-based. I also, feed my inspiration. I try [and] explore the places that I am, to be inspired by those places when it's time to create.
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7 Female R&B Acts You Need To Know essence-fest-7-female-rb-acts-you-need-know
Essence Fest: 7 Female R&B Acts You Need To Know
The annual music event introduces a slew of rising R&B stars
Jul 8, 2018 - 11:27 am
Essence Fest is the ultimate celebration of Black women and music. And while it manifests that mission through dynamic headline shows featuring some of music's biggest acts (Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Jill Scott and Erykah Badu), it also serves as a major introduction for a slew of up and coming artists. And this year was certainly nothing different. Over the course of the three day event, we have spotted seven rising female acts whose music you need to explore right now.
The summer (and in part Essence Fest) belongs to Ella Mai. Her chart-topping breakout single "Boo'd Up" has induced instant sing-a-longs all week, and the recent release of a remix featuring Nicki Minaj and Quavo of The Migos, shows that the British R&B singer is not slowing down.
Denisia
If you're a New Orleans native, Denisia is certainly not a new artist. She first garnered mainstream attention back in 2015 when she was featured on YaBoyBigChoo's cover of Adele's hit "Hello", remixed in the locally popular bounce music style.
The mysterious R&B singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose identity at one point didn't go beyond a shadow and silhouette, is fully stepping into the spotlight---albeit with her face still slightly concealed by oversized sunglasses. After her soul-stirring performance at the 2018 BET Awards went viral, H.E.R. (an acronym for "Having Everything Revealed") hit the Essence Fest Superlounge to a massive crowd.
A student at the esteemed Berklee College of Music in Boston, rising songstress Yanina made her Essence Fest debut this year. Currently working on a yet-to-be-titled EP, she is making her mark thanks to her powerhouse voice, dancing ability and a striking stage presence.
June's Diary
Groups formed via reality shows typically have a shelf-life that expires at the end of a TV season. But every so often there are exceptions. Enter June's Diary. Formed on the Kelly Rowland-executive produced BET show Chasing Destiny, this talented line-up of singers have the harmonies, moves, and style that puts them on par with the great girl groups of the past.
Mykia Jovan
Mykia Jovan is proving to be a name bubbling in the progressive soul music scene. The New Orleans native's unique vocal quality has been compared to the likes of Erykah Badu and the late great Billie Holiday. Her debut album Elliyahu is currently available at mykiajovan.com.
Victory Boyd
After one hears Victory Boyd's voice, it becomes clear why Jay-Z signed the New Jersey-native to his Roc Nation music label after hearing her perform just two songs. Many have placed her vocally in the lane of Tracy Chapman, Roberta Flack, and Nina Simone. However, her approach to soul and folk music is so fresh and youthful, that she is in a lane of her own.
Photo: Jerritt Clark/Getty Images
Jussie Smollett On The Ups And Downs Of Touring exclusive-jussie-smollett-ups-and-downs-touring
Exclusive: Jussie Smollett On The Ups And Downs Of Touring
The 'Empire' TV star shares the rollercoaster of emotions he feels while on the road
Ana Yglesias
Singer/actor Jussie Smollett is best known for his role as queer R&B star Jamal Lyon in the hit musical drama series Empire. Yet he is much more hands on: he not only sings on screen, but also helps direct and writes songs behind-the-scenes. The show, which follows the life of a music mogul and his family, has received much acclaim, including for its music – its soundtrack, Empire: Season 1, was nominated for Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media at the 58th GRAMMY Awards.
While Smollett has been acting since a young age, music has always been his biggest passion. This year he let that passion shine when he released his debut solo album, Sum of My Music, on March 2.
Aug 28, 2018 – 1:38 pm
Jussie Smollett On The Ups And Downs Of Touring
Smollett has been busy performing shows around the world in support of his new album, including at the amazing Essence Festival 2018 in New Orleans. We caught up with him backstage at the festival to talk to him about the shift from filming to touring, and the anxiety he feels before shows, wondering if people will show up. Smollet says he's left feeling grateful for every fan who shows up at what has turned out to be sold-out shows.
"We would do the same show for two people or 2000 people, but it's always wonderful, and I feel such gratitude, it's so humbling, that they come out every single night," he shares.
Mali Music On New Music & Dream Collabs mali-music-new-music-his-dream-collabs-ceelo-green-and-kendrick-lamar
Mali Music On New Music & His Dream Collabs: CeeLo Green and Kendrick Lamar
Find out what's been inspiring the singer/songwriter lately and who he'd love to work with
Jennifer Velez
Some artists are so destined for greatness, music is in their name. Such is the case with Mali Music. The singer/songwriter said being GRAMMY nominated is life changing during the 57th GRAMMY Awards when he was nominated for two categories. Since being nominated again at the 60th GRAMMY Awards earlier this year the singer/songwriter has continued to feel inspired by the nomination. His song, "Still," was nominated for Best Traditional R&B Performance that night. That inspiration has stayed with him as he's been making music and been on a two-heads-are-better-than-one mentality.
Mali Music On New Music & Dream Collabs
We caught up with him backstage at the Essence Festival 2018 in New Orleans to hear about what he's up to know and why he thinks now is a time of collaborating. He also lets us in on who his dream collaborations are.
Photo: Daniel Mendoza/Recording Academy
SWV On R&B's Resurgence, Nicki Minaj & More swv-rbs-resurgence-new-jack-swing-nicki-minaj-more
SWV On R&B's Resurgence, New Jack Swing, Nicki Minaj & More
The iconic '90s vocal trio talk about the high they get from watching their fans sing along with them and give props to today's hip-hop infused R&B
Reuniting in 2005, GRAMMY nominees SWV — aka Sisters With Voice — returned triumphantly to an R&B scene that owes much of its modern swagger to the influence of their early career hits in the '90s such as "Weak," "Right Here," "You're The One," and more.
Jul 17, 2018 – 2:04 pm
SWV Talk Today's R&B, Nicki Minaj & More
We caught up with the trio from the Bronx, N.Y., backstage at Essence Festival 2018 in New Orleans to hear how R&B's resurgence looks from where they sit, their thoughts on the legacy of new jack swing and Teddy Riley, and how hip-hop's impact on the music world — specifically Nicki Minaj — has affected them.