Key Takeaways
- Miguel introduced a new creative framework, the “CAOS Curriculum,” for his NYU residency.
- The launch included a student town hall and a surprise performance in Washington Square Park.
- His album CAOS is set to release on Oct. 23, coinciding with his 40th birthday.
Miguel is expanding his creative universe — this time, inside the classroom. The Grammy Award-winner kicked off his Scholar-in-Residence at New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development last Tuesday, Oct. 14, launching what he calls the “CAOS Curriculum.”
The welcoming event at NYU’s Kimmel Center set the tone for what’s to come. Miguel opened with a town hall centered on “Speaking CAOS to Power,” urging dozens of students to confront the systems that shape creativity, culture, and commerce. In a press release, the “How Many Drinks?” hitmaker said, “The industry is designed to profit off the originators while leaving them the least protected. The CAOS Curriculum is about shifting that balance — re-centering power with the artists and the creative enablers themselves. This isn’t just about making your best work; it’s about knowing how to protect it and sustain it.”
After the talk, Miguel led everyone to Washington Square Park for a rally that embodied his message. There, he performed his timeless hit song “Sure Thing” and gave fans a preview of songs from his upcoming album, including “New Martyrs (Ride 4 U).”
Over the next eight months, the singer will host seminars, masterclasses, and collaborations exploring topics like creativity, collaboration, and music industry economics — from contract negotiation to intellectual property rights. In the press release, NYU Steinhardt Dean Jack H. Knott said, “We are excited to host Miguel as this year’s Scholar-in-Residence. As a successful artist and music entrepreneur, Miguel has many first-hand lessons and practical strategies to share with our students to help prepare them for their future careers.”
Miguel gears up for the release of ‘CAOS’
The residency arrives just days before Miguel’s fifth studio album, CAOS, drops on Thursday (Oct. 23), which is also his 40th birthday. The 12-track project follows 2017’s War & Leisure and marks his long-awaited return to album form.