Fresh from the announcement of his five GRAMMY nominations, Miguel is still floating on a cloud. He recently offered the details of his GRAMMY experience and why his new set Kaleidoscope Dream was able to break through the musical clutter.

“Getting the announcements for GRAMMY nominations was nothing short of a dream come true,” Miguel said backstage at Hot 93.7/Hartford’s Jingle Jam concert. “Contemporary Album of the Year, that’s what I’m really, super happy about.”

Miguel’s five GRAMMY nominations include Song of the Year for the ballad “Adorn,” and Best Urban Contemporary Album of the Year for his sophomore album Kaleidoscope Dream.

But he was just as excited to meet soul and R&B singer Bill Withers, who was at the GRAMMYS Nominations Concert — Live!! in Nashville.

“Bill Withers was sitting right next to me,” he recalled. ”I’m geeking out over Bill Withers…And him being like, ‘I know exactly who you are, my daighter told me about you.’ I’m like, ‘You’re following me?’” 

Miguel’s debut album, All I Want Is You, was also released to positive reviews but was snubbed from last year’s GRAMMY nominations. He feels Kaleidoscope Dream differs from his debut and that made the difference in catching the right ears to earn his nominations.

“The sound overall [is] a lot more edgy,” he explained. “It’s a little psychedelic. It’s pretty cool.”

The singer also explained how he was personally able to grab the attention of the Recording Academy this year.

“If nothing else, leave some kind of impression on the people,” he said. “All my favorite artists did that. I am not saying I am the best, I am not saying I am doing anything super innovative on stage, but I know I go out there and I really [work] my hardest. I really work for it. I am gonna earn the attention, I am gonna earn your respect.”

–Tyler Roman, Hot 93.7/Hartford