Clash 113 Miguel

For 15 years, Clash has sought to deliver the most insightful and effectual content from our pages to the hearts and minds of the world, and we’re all too aware of the power that yields. It is our intention that our influence be one for positive change, where art and music are rightly exalted as society’s most unifying assets. In recognition of these cultural shock waves, the latest issue of Clash is dedicated to those artists whose work is imbued with seeds of significant consequence.

The fourth of this issue’s six cover stars, R&B’s relentless inquisitor Miguel, is an artist propelled by the overarching urge to connect through self-expression, fulfilling his purpose by unraveling himself in song for others to identify with.

Throughout his career, the Grammy Award-winning star, who is presented here in collaboration with Comme des Garçons Homme Plus, has never compromised his message, probing through themes both personal and political to provide a profound soundtrack of self-discovery, and he’s all too aware of the responsibility that brings.

“I realised that I put out a song and there’s kids and adults who know and are singing all the words to ‘Sky Walker’, and grandparents who know the lyrics to ‘leaves’ from a couple albums ago,” he tells Clash. “You start to realise your words have meaning and power, and what you stand for means something to people. For me, it might be because of how I was raised, but I do feel I have a responsibility. I think Nina Simone said, ‘How can you be an artist and not reflect the times?’ That’s what art is about.”

Also featured in this issue is Summer Walker, Rex Orange County, FKA twigs, Sam Fender, Kindness, Ray BLK, Not3s, Stereophonics, J Rick, Take A Daytrip, Aitch, Jax Jones, and many more.