Taio Cruz
Taio Cruz | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Jacob Taio Cruz |
| Born | London, United Kingdom |
| Genres | Electropop, R&B, dance-pop, hip hop soul |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, record producer, rapper, entrepreneur |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Labels | Rokstarr Entertainment Division, Island, Republic, Mercury (U.S.) |
| Website | taiocruzmusic |
Taio Cruz (born Jacob Taio Cruz on April 23, 1983)[2] is an English singer-songwriter, record producer, occasional rapper, and entrepreneur.[3] In 2008, he released his debut album Departure, which Cruz wrote, arranged and produced himself. It achieved initial success in the UK and earned him a MOBO Award nomination. In June 2010, Cruz released his follow-up album Rokstarr, which includes the number one singles "Break Your Heart" and "Dynamite". Cruz has collaborated with Kesha and Fabolous on the single "Dirty Picture", as well as Kylie Minogue and Travie McCoy on his single "Higher". Additionally, Cruz penned and recorded the song "Telling the World" as the lead single from the soundtrack to the 2011 animated film Rio.
Early life
Cruz was born in London, to a Nigerian father and a Brazilian mother.[3] He attended Bilton Grange, a private prep school in Rugby, Warwickshire.[4]
Writing and production
Cruz has written songs on albums by Cheryl Cole, JLS, The Saturdays, The Wanted and David Guetta. Cruz wrote and featured on Tinchy Stryder's hit single "Take Me Back". Pop rock band McFly recorded "Shine a Light" which not only features, but was also penned and produced by Cruz for their fifth studio album.[5] 2011 will see him writing for Justin Bieberbaby's next album.[6] Jennifer Lopez's 2011 single "I'm Into You", featuring Lil Wayne, is also penned by Cruz. He also contributed significantly to David Guetta's fifth album Nothing but the Beat, penning two of his hit singles "Without You", featuring Usher and "Little Bad Girl", featuring Cruz himself and Ludacris.
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."[7]
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."[8]
Discography
Awards and nominations
 | This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (April 2011) |
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | BRIT Awards | Best British Song | Your Game | Won |
| 2008 | MOBO Awards | Best UK Male | Nominated | |
| 2010 | American Music Awards | Breakthrough Artist | 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[9] | Best Male | Nominated | |
| 2011 | Best Collaboration | Dirty Picture | Nominated | |
| 2011 | Best Video | Nominated | ||
| 2011 | Billboard Awards | Top New Artist | Nominated | |
| 2011 | Top Hot 100 Song | Dynamite | Won | |
| 2011 | Top Digital Song | Won | ||
| 2011 | Top Radio Song | Nominated | ||
| 2011 | Top Streaming Song | Nominated | ||
| 2011 | Top Pop Song | Won | ||
| 2011 | 2011 MuchMusic Video Awards | MuchMusic.com Most Watched Video | Dynamite | Won |
References
- ^ Cruz, Taio (2009). "Cruz Official Biography". Official Website. London.
- ^ Cruz, Taio (2009). "Cruz Official Biography". Official Website. London.
- ^ a b Birchmeier, Jason. "Taio Cruz > Biography". Allmusic (Rovi Corporation). Retrieved 24 July 2010.
- ^ Thrills, Adrian (19 November 2009). "Boarding School Boy Taio Cruz". The Daily Mail. London.
- ^ "McFly – Shine A Light: **** 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.
- ^ Lewis, Pete (May 2010). "Taio Cruz Comes Clean". Blues & Soul. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
- ^ "Lady Gaga, Christina Aguilera Win Virgin Media Music Awards" MTV.com. Retrieved 3 June 2011.