Taio Cruz
Taio Cruz |
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Jacob Taio Cruz[1], better known as Taio Cruz,[2](born 23 April 1983) 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.
Throughout his career, many people pronounced his name incorrectly, many times pronouncing the "A" Instead of the "I". The correct Pronunciation Is Tai like Tie, and rhymes with Fly and Bye etc. Tai - o - Cruz. (Template:Pron-en TY-oh KREWZ)
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.
On the 13th of April Taio announced via his official Twitter account that his third album, to be released at some point in 2011, would be named Black And Leather.
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". Since its release, it has been noted widely in publications and television programs that Cruz looks like Wayne Brady [citation needed]. 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)
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.
Rokstarr 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 Travie McCoy, and one featuring Travie McCoy and Kylie Minogue.
Cruz has also been featured on the soundtrack of the TV series Jersey Shore.[14]
Black and Leather , Rio: The Soundtrack, and collaborations(2011–present)
 |
On the 13th of April, 2011, Cruz confirmed that he had written and contributed vocals to a Guetta track called "Little Bad Girl" which may be released as the lead single from Guetta's fifth studio album. Lopez's second single, "I'm Into You", from her seventh album, Love? was co-written by Cruz. Additionally, Cruz penned and recorded a brand new song, "Telling the World]]" as the lead single from the soundtrack to the animated film, Rio (film) (2011). A song called "Believe In Me Now," produced by Swedish House Mafia, was recently leaked. It has electro-pop and dubstep influences. This could possibly his first single from "Black and Leather."
On Saturday, 16 April, he announced via Facebook that his upcoming album is entitled 'Black and Leather'.
Writing and producing
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. Boyband McFly recorded "Shine a Light" which not only features, but was also was penned and produced by Cruz for their fifth studio album.[15] 2011 will see him writing for Justin Bieber's next album.[16] Jennifer Lopez's 2011 single I'm Into You featuring Lil Wayne is also penned by Cruz.
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."[17]
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."[18]
Discography
- Departure (2008)
- Rokstarr (2009)
- Black And Leather (2011)
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 (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 | Pending |
| 2011 | Virgin Media Awards | Best Video | Dirty Picture | Pending |
References
- ^ http://www.allmusic.com/artist/taio-cruz-p847820 http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/taio-cruz/id200407915 http://www.islandrecords.co.uk/group_artists.php?id=4 http://www.myspace.com/taiocruzmusic http://www.billboard.com/artist/taio-cruz/796650 http://www.pandora.com/music/artist/taio+cruz http://www.taiocruzmusic.co.uk/about.php
- ^ 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) - ^ "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