To say that Miguel was born to be a performer would be an understatement.

By Kaylin Balderrama

As a successful singer, songwriter, dancer, actor and producer, Miguel is the definition of an artistic soul. His sold-out show at Stubbs on April 7 was filled with die-hard fans packed close to the stage and people who would leave die-hard fans after watching him dance effortlessly across the stage. Although the Stubbs’ stage was small, Miguel showed up with a full band and two-story stage with a ramp to dance around.

The concert started out with a touching video about the abolition of immigrant detention centers as Miguel spoke about his father, who is Hispanic. Miguel spoke to the crowd about how these immigration detention centers are prisons and talked about the issue of cheap labor and the similarities between the systematic detention of African Americans and the systematic detention of immigrants. Miguel then announced that all proceeds from his merchandise would be donated towards the cause before emerging from the smoke to sing his first song.

The 32-year-old singer has been related to Prince and Michael Jackson because of his ability to dance and variety of vocals. Having performed with artists such as Travis Scott, Usher, Kendrick Lamar and Mariah Carey, Miguel brings funk and hip hop together unlike any other artist. From the beginning of his show fans had their hands in the air and were singing to the sky as if they were praising the way Miguel sang. Whether it was one of his more famous songs such as “Come Through and Chill” or a song that fans did not know as well, the crowd was dancing as if they were on stage side-by-side with Miguel himself.