Taio Cruz
Taio Cruz |
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Adetayo Ayowale Onile-Ere[1] (born 23 April 1983), better known by his stage name Taio Cruz (Template:Pron-en TY-oh KREWZ),[2] is an English singer, songwriter and music producer.[3] In 2008 he released his debut album Departure. Written, arranged and produced by himself, it achieved initial success in the United Kingdom and earned him a MOBO Award nomination.
In June 2010, he released his follow up album Rokstarr, which includes his UK and U.S. #1 single "Break Your Heart" and the second single "Dynamite" which reached number two in the United States, number one in the United Kingdom, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Ireland and New Zealand, and top ten in most other countries. In 2011 Cruz released "Higher", a collaboration with Kylie Minogue and Travie McCoy.
Music career
Early life and career beginnings
Cruz was born in London, to a Nigerian father and a Brazilian mother.[3] He went to Bilton Grange prep school in Warwickshire.[4][5][6]. His song writing career began at age of 19 as part of Tricky Stewart's writing collective, RedZone Entertainment.[7] He achieved notability at the age of 21 when he was awarded a BRIT Award for co-writing Will Young's 2004 single, "Your Game".[2] He is the founder and C.E.O. of Rokstarr Music London, which in 2006 released his debut single "I Just Wanna Know". Also in 2006, he signed a joint deal with Universal Music Group companies, Republic Records and the UK branch of Island Records.
Departure (2006–2008)
Taio Cruz released his second single "Moving On" in September 2007 which made the top 30 in the UK. In March 2008 his next single, "Come On Girl," featuring Luciana, peaked at No. 5 on the UK charts. The related album Departure appeared on 17 March and peaked at No. 17.[8][9] This was followed by the single "I Can Be," which reached No. 18 in May. On 18 August, "She's Like a Star" was released, which was a remix of the previous single and featured American rapper Busta Rhymes and girl-group Sugababes. The remix later appeared on the Sugababes studio album Catfights & Spotlights, which peaked at No. 20. It was later revealed that Cruz narrowly missed out on the chance to record the song "Umbrella" which was eventually recorded by Rihanna and ended up topping charts around the world.[7]
Rokstarr, International breakthrough and The Rokstarr Collection (2009–present)
Cruz was featured on Tinchy Stryder's breakout single "Take Me Back" which peaked at No. 3 in the UK Singles Chart. According to Cruz's official MySpace blog, as of 1 January 2009, Rokstarr Music London officially changed its name to Rokstarr Entertainment Division and abbreviated to R.E.D Inc. Cruz also modified his US deal by leaving Republic Records, instead opting for a signing with Island Def Jam Music Group's Mercury Records.
During 2009 he worked on his follow up album originally titled T.W.O. (This Way Out) but later changed to Rokstarr.[10] It was released on 12 October through R.E.D Inc/Island Records and is entirely written and produced by Cruz, with co-writes and co-productions predominantly with UK producer Fraser T Smith. The album's lead single "Break Your Heart" was released on 14 September and reached number one in the UK, where it stayed for three weeks.[8] The single spent six weeks in the top-ten. It also reached the top spot in the US for one week on the Billboard charts.[11] In an interview for The Guardian it was stated that "Cruz was clever to have hooked up with a US rapper Ludacris on his breakthrough hit".[12] The album spawned two other UK singles, "No Other One", and the top-ten hit "Dirty Picture" featuring American electropop singer Ke$ha. The album's fourth single (second in the US) titled "Dynamite" debuted at 26 [11] and despite peaking at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, Dynamite peaked at number 1 on US top 40 earning Cruz his second US number 1 record.
The original Rokstarr Album was followed by the compilation album The Rokstarr Collection which includes songs both from Departure and the international version of Rokstarr.[13]
Cruz later released three versions of his single Higher - one featuring Kylie Minogue, one featuring Pitbull, and one featuring Travie McCoy.
Cruz has also been featured on the soundtrack of the TV series Jersey Shore.[14]
Writing and producing
Cruz has worked on Tinchy Stryder's albums Catch 22 and Third Strike, Cheryl Cole's album 3 Words, and has also contributed to JLS's self-titled album.[15][16] He also writes and produces all his own work including his No.1 hit "Break Your Heart". New British boyband, The Wanted have also benefited from Cruz's writing,[17] Whilst British girl group The Saturdays have also worked with Cruz on several songs for their third studio album.[18] Boyband McFly recorded "Shine a Light" which not only features, but was also was penned and produced by Cruz for their fifth studio album.[19] 2011 will see him writing for Justin Bieber's next album.[20] The artist Cruz has said he would like to collaborate next with is Australian singing sensation Vanessa Amorosi.
Other ventures
Rokstarr brand
On 1 September 2009, Cruz launched the brand Rokstarr; the fashion and accessories brand has a focus on sunglasses. Musicians such as Kanye West, Shontelle, Keri Hilson and Kelly Rowland have been seen wearing them. Speaking in October to R&B writer Pete Lewis, Cruz stated: "There's a load of US celebrities that are all rocking the sunglasses already – Kid Cudi, Justin Timberlake, Kanye West... Then in the UK we have The Saturdays, JLS, Daniel Merriweather – who've all been twittering and writing on their blogs how much they love them. So yeah, it's definitely my new album 'Rokstarr' and the fashion brand that are my two main focuses at the moment."[21]
Meanwhile, speaking again to Lewis in April 2010, Cruz revealed: "We're currently looking to expand the brand and possibly go into things like watches. I've also got a new subsidiary of Rokstarr called 'Rok By Rokstarr'. And we've just started doing things like jeans and T-shirts, and stuff that more of the fans of Taio Cruz can buy. Because with Rokstarr in itself being so expensive, a lot of the kids out there who want to buy Rokstarr things can't. So we're bringing in stuff that's a little bit more High Street and more affordable."[22]
Discography
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Brit Awards | Best British Song (as a writer) | Your Game | Won |
| 2008 | Mobo Awards | Best UK Male | Taio Cruz | Nominated |
| 2010 | American Music Awards | Breakthrough Artist | Taio Cruz | Nominated |
| 2010 | Brit Awards | Best British Song | Break Your Heart | Nominated |
| 2010 | iTunes Best Album & Song | Best Song | Dynamite | Nominated |
| 2010 | Ascap Vanguard Award | Recognition of Album | Departure | Won |
| 2011 | Brit Awards | Best British Song | Dynamite | Nominated |
| 2011 | Virgin Media Awards | Best Male | Taio Cruz | Pending |
| 2011 | Virgin Media Awards | Best Collaboration | Dirty Picture Ft Kesha | Pending |
| 2011 | Virgin Media Awards | Best Video | Dirty Picture Ft Kesha | Pending |
References
- ^ N-Dubz and the second coming of Brit pop The Guardian Retrieved 19-01-2011
- ^ a b Taio Cruz - Artists - Island Records: Biography Island Records Retrieved 2010-15-10
- ^ a b Birchmeier, Jason. "Taio Cruz > Biography". Allmusic (Rovi Corporation). Retrieved 24 July 2010.
- ^ http://www.nightlifeafrica.co.uk/extra_news.php?nid=1302
- ^ McCormick, Neil (24 March 2010). "Jay Sean and Taio Cruz wowing America". The Daily Telegraph. London.
- ^ "Belt up! Pupils vote to wear school uniform that's been in fashion since 1552". Daily Mail. London. 27 December 2010.
- ^ a b McCormick, Neil (27-03-2008). "Taio Cruz The Public School Soul Sensation". Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 30-07-2010.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - ^ a b "UK Charts > Taio Cruz". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
- ^ Jones, Alan (25 March 2008). "Now That's What I Call Music! still has it". Music Week. United Business Media. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
- ^ "Amazon:New Release – UK Forthcoming Albums". AMAZON. Retrieved 16 September 2009.
- ^ a b "Taio Cruz > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". Allmusic. Macrovision. Retrieved 21-04-2010.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ Adesioye, Lola (01-04-2010). "Jay Sean and Taio Cruz Interview". London: Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 30-07-2010.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help); Text "work=The Guardian" ignored (help) - ^ "Taio Cruz – The Rokstarr Collection". play.com. Retrieved 30-07-2010.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ Kaufman, Gil (28-07-2010). "Eminem Edges Out Rick Ross To Hold Billboard #1 For Fifth Week". MTV. MTV Networks (Viacom). Retrieved 30-07-2010.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - ^ ": Taio Cruz :... News". Taiocruzmusic.co.uk. Retrieved 26 August 2009. [dead link]
- ^ "Taio Cruz > Credits". Allmusic (Rovi Corporation). Retrieved 28 July 2010.
- ^ "'The Wanted' number one new boy band". BBC Radio 1. British Broadcasting Corporation. 29-07-2010. Retrieved 30-07-2010.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - ^ Nicholson, Barry (25-07-2010). "Saturdays ready to be Britain's No1 group". News of the World. Retrieved 30-07-2010.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - ^ "McFly – Shine A Light: shit or hit?". 20-07-2010. Retrieved 30-07-2010.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - ^ Vena, Jocelyn. [http "Taio Cruz Working On 'Young Pop' For Justin Bieber"].
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help) - ^ "Rokstarr In The Making – Pete Lewis Interviews Taio Cruz". Blues & Soul. 2 October 2009. Retrieved 2 October 2009.
- ^ Taio Cruz interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' May 2010