The Spotlight is on…

Don Miguel

When did you fall in love with H.E.R.

– Don Miguel: I fell in love with hip hop in the mid 90s when I was a little kid. I used to watch MTV all day and that’s when they played videos from all those great artists. When Wu Tang Forever came out I would go to this older kid’s house across the street from me and listen to that and he would smoke cigarettes. I remember Biggie and Snoop from that time as well. Then when The Chronic 2001 and The Slim Shady LP dropped I was addicted.

MC/DJ/Producer/Graff Writer/Bboy ?

– Don Miguel: I am a producer first and foremost, I do a little spitting for fun. Just sitting around free-styling and bullshitting with my friends mostly. Other than hip hop production I play guitar, drums, bass, and sing. I can fart my way around a keyboard melody too but I can’t really jam on the keys that well.

Dayjob or no Dayjob?

– Don Miguel: I have two day jobs, I work for an independent medical courier service and I wait tables at a bar my family owns and operates in manhattan. I work on music everyday though, it’s what I work hardest at. When you’re passionate about something it’s not really work it’s like food that you need. You have all this extra energy and super human powers when you’re in the throes of the music gods and that’s the place I love the most. Whether it’s playing in a band or making a beat or just doing other music/work related things I’m always trying to do something.

5 All time favorite records?

Internet: gift or curse?

– Don Miguel: The internet is a gift. My album “Waiting For Carmine” couldn’t have existed if email and Twitter weren’t around. I am very grateful for the opportunities and relationships that came to me because of the internet. If you want to get into things like my generation’s attention span, or a “Her” situation, that’s a whole different conversation.

Biggest accomplishment:

– Don Miguel: The biggest accomplishment in my entire life so far is completing my album “Waiting For Carmine.” It was a three year process and I collaborated with over 30 people. It was my first experience doing a lot of video work as well. It was an amazing ride. Now I hope people hear it.
 

Why should people check you out?

– Don Miguel: People should check out the album because I spent a lot of time and energy on it. It’s the best music I have to offer right now and the rappers are all on point. It’s got some serious content on there and the musicality is at a high level because I have a lot of amazing musicians and singers on there as well. It’s more dense than what you are going to hear on the radio but you can absolutely nod your head to it. There’s some pretty serious features on there as well for hip hop heads. Guilty Simpson, Boldy James, Rapsody to name just a few.

Inspiration?

– Don Miguel: I’m inspired by all the wonderful artists in the world and by my family and by my musician friends in Long Island. I also like to eat delicious foods of the universe and drink beer and watch sports with my buddies as well. And coffee is also a big inspiration.

Favorite song you produced/MCd on?:

– Don Miguel: My favorite song I’ve produced is probably the intro to “Waiting For Carmine” called Cabrón. It encompasses what the album is all about and I recorded sounds in my bar and at an attorney’s office. It also has my buddies Rice Cultivation Society and Delicate Steve playing beautiful music on it.
 

 
Why do you still love H.E.R.?

– Don Miguel: I still love hip hop because just like any form of music there’s no shortage of amazing material always coming out. I’ve also been playing drums since the age of 6 so I’ve also loved things that were rhythmic. When I got into sampling that took it to a whole different level. 

Where can we check you out?

Download my album at waitingforcarmine.com or donmiguel.bandcamp.com. Check me out on Twitter/IG at @DonMiguelWFC. If you want to reach me my email is donmigueltrax@gmail.com. Thanks for the time.