Mika (singer)
Encyclopedia
Mika is a British singer-songwriter.
After recording his first extended play, Dodgy Holiday EP
, Mika released his first full-length studio album, Life in Cartoon Motion
, on Island Records
in 2007. Life in Cartoon Motion sold more than 5.6 million copies worldwide and helped Mika win a Brit Award—winning Best British Breakthrough act, and receive a Grammy Award
nomination. Two years later Mika released his second extended play, Songs for Sorrow
, of which limited edition copies are now sold out worldwide. In 2009 Mika released his second studio album, The Boy Who Knew Too Much
. Finishing his worldwide tour, Mika started writing and recording material for his third album, The Origin of Love, stating it will be "more simplistic pop, less layered than the last one".
, the third of five children born to a Lebanese mother and an American father. When he was a year old his family was forced to leave war-torn Lebanon
and moved to Paris
. The first piano piece he learned to play was "Les Champs-Élysées", by Joe Dassin
. At age seven, he wrote his first song, which he describes as an "awful" piano instrumental called "Angry". The family moved to London
when he was nine years old. There, he attended the Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle
, where he experienced severe bullying. He also had problems with dyslexia
. In response to these experiences Mika was home-schooled by his mother at the age of 12, for six to eight months. He then attended St Philip's School in Kensington
, where he was the head of the Schola Cantorum (the St. Philip's Choir). Later he attended Westminster School
and the Royal College of Music
, which he left to record his first album at Casablanca Records. He has also slightly altered his given name, Mica, changing the "c" to a "k" because he was frustrated by how often people would mispronounce it.
Mika comes from a family of seven (Mika was one of five siblings). He has one younger brother and one younger sister along with two older sisters. His sister Yasmine, who works as an artist under the nom de plume
DaWack, painted the cartoon art for his two albums Life in Cartoon Motion
and The Boy Who Knew Too Much
, and she is currently a fashion designer. His sister Paloma was severely injured in October 2010 after falling from a third-storey window and being impaled by railings. Mika speaks French and Spanish fluently; in an interview on 28 September 2009 with The Chris Moyles Show
on BBC Radio 1
he commented that he had taken Mandarin Chinese for 9 years but did not speak it very well; he also mentioned that his three sisters did all speak it fluently.
As a child Mika was trained by Alla Ardakov
(Ablaberdyeva), a Russian opera professional, and later attended the Royal College of Music
in London. His debut radio appearance was on Dermot O'Leary
's BBC Radio 2 show in September 2006. He also appeared on Later... with Jools Holland, and on The Friday Night Project
on 19 January 2007. Mika is rumoured to have a vocal range
of five octaves, but claims that it is actually closer to three and a half octaves.
Mika denied allegations that he is steering clear of sexual taboos in order to appeal to the US market, pointing to the song "Billy Brown
", which is about a married man who has an affair with another man. He is quoted as saying, "If I was worried about sexual taboos I certainly wouldn't have made the record I made. It has nothing to do with that. It has more to do with self-respect." In an interview in the US gay magazine Out
he stated that "there is a way of discussing sexuality without using labels."
In a September 2009 interview in Gay & Night Mika commented on his sexuality: "I've never ever labelled myself. But having said that; I've never limited my life, I've never limited who I sleep with... Call me whatever you want. Call me bisexual, if you need a term for me..." Later he stated in an interview with This Is London
"I consider myself label-less because I could fall in love with anybody - literally - any type, any body. I'm not picky."
In March 2010 Mika was named in France a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters
for services to music. He is the youngest person to receive the award.
" (2006). It was play listed by BBC Radio 1
in the United Kingdom, and made Record of the Week by DJ Scott Mills
. The Dodgy Holiday EP
also became available for download. The song "Billy Brown" was available for free download for a week from the iTunes Store
. A studio outtake titled 'Overrated', which was recorded in 2004, was "unofficially" released online.
poll.
His single "Grace Kelly
" was released by Universal Music for digital download on 8 January 2007. It reached number one on the UK Singles Chart
on 21 January 2007.
Mika's début album Life in Cartoon Motion
was released on 5 February 2007, and has brought comparison with artists such as Freddie Mercury
, Scissor Sisters
, Elton John
, Prince
, Robbie Williams
and David Bowie
. "Grace Kelly
," in fact, references Mercury in the lyrics: "I try to be like Grace Kelly/But all her looks were too sad/So I try a little Freddie/I've gone identity mad."
Mika was the musical act for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on 26 March 2007 and 14 February 2008 and for Jimmy Kimmel Live
on 27 March 2007. He also performed live on So You Think You Can Dance
on 26 July 2007.
Mika toured the United States in June 2007, with support from Sara Bareilles
and Natalia Lesz
.
On 10 October 2007 Mika began his Dodgy Holiday Tour, playing at venues across Europe. On 17 November 2007 Mika started the UK leg of his tour with support from Palladium
. The North American leg of his tour began in January 2008 with support from The Midway State
and Creature
and continued through February with a stop in Los Angeles for the 50th Grammy Awards
.
His debut album Life in Cartoon Motion
has a coming of age theme and deals with his transition from childhood to the present, though he has stated that not all of the songs are autobiographical. His songs often deal with difficult topics. For instance, in "Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)" the theme of larger women suffering from discrimination is explored. Mika has said that the fact that his mother was a big woman, and that he had seen the prejudices against her, helped him to write the song. In another example of dealing with more difficult subject matter, in the song "Billy Brown", Mika writes about a married man who has a homosexual affair.
On 20 February 2008 Mika opened the 2008 BRIT Awards
with a live performance of "Love Today
," "Grace Kelly," and a duet, "Standing in the Way of Control
," with Beth Ditto
. He was later awarded the BRIT Award for Best British Breakthrough Artist.
Mika has reportedly written songs for other musicians, saying "I write songs for other people under different names most of the time. I have a little family of three names. One of them has been discovered – it's Alice."
titled Songs for Sorrow
on 8 June 2009. The EP includes 4 tracks and a 68-page book featuring lyrics and exclusive illustrated interpretations of each song by some of Mika’s favourite artists. The song "Blue Eyes" was used to promote the EP, and was A-listed on the BBC Radio 2
playlist.
Mika's second studio album
The Boy Who Knew Too Much
was released on 21 September 2009. Mika recorded the majority of the album in Los Angeles with producer and musician Greg Wells
, who also produced his debut album Life In Cartoon Motion. The album has been described as Mika dealing with his adolescent teenage years and "in a sense is kind of part two" of his first album. He got a Bafta in 2006 for best Male Artist Worldwide.
The album was originally titled We Are Golden after the first single from the album, "We Are Golden
". On 20 July 2009 in an on-air interview with DJ
Jo Whiley
on BBC Radio 1
, Mika revealed he was considering renaming the album, because he wanted "something a little more ridiculous." On 6 August 2009 it was confirmed that the album's title would change to The Boy Who Knew Too Much.
The first single from the album, "We Are Golden
", made its radio debut in the United Kingdom on 20 July 2009, on BBC Radio 2
and was released for download on 6 September 2009, with the physical release following on 7 September 2009. The single debuted at number 4 on the UK Singles Chart
on 13 September 2009. Mika's promotional tour of the single included live performances at the iTunes Festival 2009 at The Roundhouse
in Camden, London and on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross
in September 2009. It was reported that Mika spent £25,000 on drinks after inviting fans to join him at his local pub via Twitter
on 7 September 2009 to celebrate the release of his single.
"Blame It on the Girls
" was released as the second single in the United States
and Japan
. This was alongside "Rain
" being the second single in the United Kingdom which was released on 23 November. It was confirmed that "Blame It On The Girls" will be the third single in the United Kingdom and will be released 15 February 2010. His American promotional tour consisted of live performances on Good Morning America
in New York City
on 25 September 2009 and the Late Show with David Letterman
on 14 October 2009.
In November 2009 Mika performed 'Rain' and 'We Are Golden' live at the Sydney Opera House
for the Australian Idol
Grand Final. He also performed on Sunrise
on the Seven Network
in Australia
.
On 30 November 2009, Mika performed "Let It Snow
" in a duet with Japanese
pop star Hikaru Utada.
On 21 March 2010 Mika performed "Gave It All Away
" with Boyzone
on ITV1
for Boyzone: A Tribute To Stephen Gately
.
In May 2010 Mika released his new single "Kick Ass
", the title track to the 2010 Marvel Comics
film "Kick-Ass
".
and Fleetwood Mac
. He describes the album as less child-like and more serious. The first single released from the album is "Elle Me Dit
", Mika's first French track. It was released online on 1 July 2011. The album is expected to be released in 2012.
EPs
After recording his first extended play, Dodgy Holiday EP
Dodgy Holiday EP
Dodgy Holiday is the first extended play released by British pop singer Mika. It was released digitally released on November 20, 2006, prior to the release of Life in Cartoon Motion, his debut album, which was later released in February 2007. The name of the EP was derived from the lyrics of the...
, Mika released his first full-length studio album, Life in Cartoon Motion
Life in Cartoon Motion
Life in Cartoon Motion is the debut album by singer Mika, produced by Greg Wells and Mika, mixed by Greg Wells, with co-production on two songs by Jodi Marr and John Merchant, released on Island Records on 5 February 2007 in the United Kingdom, and on Casablanca Records on 27 March 2007 in the U.S....
, on Island Records
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
in 2007. Life in Cartoon Motion sold more than 5.6 million copies worldwide and helped Mika win a Brit Award—winning Best British Breakthrough act, and receive a Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
nomination. Two years later Mika released his second extended play, Songs for Sorrow
Songs for Sorrow
Songs for Sorrow is the second extended play by singer Mika. It was released in digital form on May 15, 2009, and in a limited edition book & cd physical form on June 8, 2009. The song "Blue Eyes" was used to promote the EP, and was A-listed on the BBC Radio 2 playlist. The EP received the name...
, of which limited edition copies are now sold out worldwide. In 2009 Mika released his second studio album, The Boy Who Knew Too Much
The Boy Who Knew Too Much (album)
The Boy Who Knew Too Much is the second studio album by singer Mika. It was released on 21 September 2009, under Casablanca Records in the United States and Polydor and Island Records in the United Kingdom.-Background:...
. Finishing his worldwide tour, Mika started writing and recording material for his third album, The Origin of Love, stating it will be "more simplistic pop, less layered than the last one".
Biography
Mika was born in BeirutBeirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
, the third of five children born to a Lebanese mother and an American father. When he was a year old his family was forced to leave war-torn Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
and moved to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. The first piano piece he learned to play was "Les Champs-Élysées", by Joe Dassin
Joe Dassin
Joseph Ira Dassin , more commonly known as Joe Dassin, was an American singer-songwriter best known for his French songs of the 1960s and 1970s.-Biography:...
. At age seven, he wrote his first song, which he describes as an "awful" piano instrumental called "Angry". The family moved to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
when he was nine years old. There, he attended the Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle
Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle
The Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle is a large French primary and secondary school situated in South Kensington, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London...
, where he experienced severe bullying. He also had problems with dyslexia
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a very broad term defining a learning disability that impairs a person's fluency or comprehension accuracy in being able to read, and which can manifest itself as a difficulty with phonological awareness, phonological decoding, orthographic coding, auditory short-term memory, or rapid...
. In response to these experiences Mika was home-schooled by his mother at the age of 12, for six to eight months. He then attended St Philip's School in Kensington
Kensington
Kensington is a district of west and central London, England within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. An affluent and densely-populated area, its commercial heart is Kensington High Street, and it contains the well-known museum district of South Kensington.To the north, Kensington is...
, where he was the head of the Schola Cantorum (the St. Philip's Choir). Later he attended Westminster School
Westminster School
The Royal College of St. Peter in Westminster, almost always known as Westminster School, is one of Britain's leading independent schools, with the highest Oxford and Cambridge acceptance rate of any secondary school or college in Britain...
and the Royal College of Music
Royal College of Music
The Royal College of Music is a conservatoire founded by Royal Charter in 1882, located in South Kensington, London, England.-Background:The first director was Sir George Grove and he was followed by Sir Hubert Parry...
, which he left to record his first album at Casablanca Records. He has also slightly altered his given name, Mica, changing the "c" to a "k" because he was frustrated by how often people would mispronounce it.
Mika comes from a family of seven (Mika was one of five siblings). He has one younger brother and one younger sister along with two older sisters. His sister Yasmine, who works as an artist under the nom de plume
Pen name
A pen name, nom de plume, or literary double, is a pseudonym adopted by an author. A pen name may be used to make the author's name more distinctive, to disguise his or her gender, to distance an author from some or all of his or her works, to protect the author from retribution for his or her...
DaWack, painted the cartoon art for his two albums Life in Cartoon Motion
Life in Cartoon Motion
Life in Cartoon Motion is the debut album by singer Mika, produced by Greg Wells and Mika, mixed by Greg Wells, with co-production on two songs by Jodi Marr and John Merchant, released on Island Records on 5 February 2007 in the United Kingdom, and on Casablanca Records on 27 March 2007 in the U.S....
and The Boy Who Knew Too Much
The Boy Who Knew Too Much (album)
The Boy Who Knew Too Much is the second studio album by singer Mika. It was released on 21 September 2009, under Casablanca Records in the United States and Polydor and Island Records in the United Kingdom.-Background:...
, and she is currently a fashion designer. His sister Paloma was severely injured in October 2010 after falling from a third-storey window and being impaled by railings. Mika speaks French and Spanish fluently; in an interview on 28 September 2009 with The Chris Moyles Show
The Chris Moyles Show
The Chris Moyles Show is the current BBC Radio 1 breakfast show in the UK, and has been since Chris Moyles became the station's breakfast show presenter on 5 January 2004. From 2004 to 2007, the show was broadcast 6:55–10:00 am each weekday, but since 15 October 2007 it has started from...
on BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
he commented that he had taken Mandarin Chinese for 9 years but did not speak it very well; he also mentioned that his three sisters did all speak it fluently.
As a child Mika was trained by Alla Ardakov
Alla Ablaberdyeva
Alla Ablaberdyeva is a Russian classical soprano who specializes in chamber music.-Biography:Ablaberdyeva studied at the Moscow Conservatoire under Nina Dorliak. After completing her studies she won several international singing competitions including the All-Union Mikhail Glinka Competition of...
(Ablaberdyeva), a Russian opera professional, and later attended the Royal College of Music
Royal College of Music
The Royal College of Music is a conservatoire founded by Royal Charter in 1882, located in South Kensington, London, England.-Background:The first director was Sir George Grove and he was followed by Sir Hubert Parry...
in London. His debut radio appearance was on Dermot O'Leary
Dermot O'Leary
Dermot O'Leary is an English television and radio presenter. He established himself as a presenter of Big Brother's Little Brother on Channel 4 before moving on to The X Factor on ITV. O'Leary has also presented on the BBC and has his own radio show on BBC Radio 2...
's BBC Radio 2 show in September 2006. He also appeared on Later... with Jools Holland, and on The Friday Night Project
The Friday Night Project
The Sunday Night Project was a British comedy-variety show by Princess Productions that first aired on Channel 4 in February 2005 under the title The Friday Night Project...
on 19 January 2007. Mika is rumoured to have a vocal range
Vocal range
Vocal range is the measure of the breadth of pitches that a human voice can phonate. Although the study of vocal range has little practical application in terms of speech, it is a topic of study within linguistics, phonetics, and speech and language pathology, particularly in relation to the study...
of five octaves, but claims that it is actually closer to three and a half octaves.
Mika denied allegations that he is steering clear of sexual taboos in order to appeal to the US market, pointing to the song "Billy Brown
Life in Cartoon Motion
Life in Cartoon Motion is the debut album by singer Mika, produced by Greg Wells and Mika, mixed by Greg Wells, with co-production on two songs by Jodi Marr and John Merchant, released on Island Records on 5 February 2007 in the United Kingdom, and on Casablanca Records on 27 March 2007 in the U.S....
", which is about a married man who has an affair with another man. He is quoted as saying, "If I was worried about sexual taboos I certainly wouldn't have made the record I made. It has nothing to do with that. It has more to do with self-respect." In an interview in the US gay magazine Out
Out (magazine)
Out is a popular gay and lesbian fashion, entertainment, and lifestyle magazine, with the highest circulation of any gay monthly publication in the United States. It carries itself in a similar editorial manner to Details, Esquire, and GQ. Out was published by PlanetOut Inc...
he stated that "there is a way of discussing sexuality without using labels."
In a September 2009 interview in Gay & Night Mika commented on his sexuality: "I've never ever labelled myself. But having said that; I've never limited my life, I've never limited who I sleep with... Call me whatever you want. Call me bisexual, if you need a term for me..." Later he stated in an interview with This Is London
This Is London
This Is London may refer to:*thisislondon.co.uk, a website belonging to the Evening Standard*"This is London" or "This is London Calling", an opening message on the BBC World Service*This Is London, a 1983 album by The Times...
"I consider myself label-less because I could fall in love with anybody - literally - any type, any body. I'm not picky."
In March 2010 Mika was named in France a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters
Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
The Ordre des Arts et des Lettres is an Order of France, established on 2 May 1957 by the Minister of Culture, and confirmed as part of the Ordre national du Mérite by President Charles de Gaulle in 1963...
for services to music. He is the youngest person to receive the award.
Early career: 2004–2006
Mika's first single was a limited 7"/download release called "Relax, Take It EasyRelax, Take It Easy
"Relax, Take It Easy" is the debut single by British singer-songwriter Mika, from his debut album Life in Cartoon Motion. In the UK, it failed to chart upon its original release, but after "Grace Kelly" topped the charts in January 2007, it managed to peak at #67 on the UK Downloads Chart because...
" (2006). It was play listed by BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
in the United Kingdom, and made Record of the Week by DJ Scott Mills
Scott Mills
Scott Robert Mills is a British radio DJ, television presenter and occasional actor, best known for presenting The Scott Mills Show on BBC Radio 1...
. The Dodgy Holiday EP
Dodgy Holiday EP
Dodgy Holiday is the first extended play released by British pop singer Mika. It was released digitally released on November 20, 2006, prior to the release of Life in Cartoon Motion, his debut album, which was later released in February 2007. The name of the EP was derived from the lyrics of the...
also became available for download. The song "Billy Brown" was available for free download for a week from the iTunes Store
ITunes Store
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
. A studio outtake titled 'Overrated', which was recorded in 2004, was "unofficially" released online.
Life in Cartoon Motion: 2006–2008
In January 2007 Mika was on the top of the BBC News website's Sound of 2007Sound of... (BBC poll)
Sound of... is an annual poll of music critics and industry figures to find the most promising new music talent. It was first conducted by the BBC News website in 2003. A top 10 list is published each January.-Winners:-Sound of 2009:...
poll.
His single "Grace Kelly
Grace Kelly (song)
"Grace Kelly" is a song by the English singer Mika, released for download on January 9, 2007. It also appears on Mika's 2007 album Life in Cartoon Motion. Produced and mixed by Greg Wells, the song entered the UK Singles Chart at number three and the UK Official Download Chart at number one...
" was released by Universal Music for digital download on 8 January 2007. It reached number one on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
on 21 January 2007.
Mika's début album Life in Cartoon Motion
Life in Cartoon Motion
Life in Cartoon Motion is the debut album by singer Mika, produced by Greg Wells and Mika, mixed by Greg Wells, with co-production on two songs by Jodi Marr and John Merchant, released on Island Records on 5 February 2007 in the United Kingdom, and on Casablanca Records on 27 March 2007 in the U.S....
was released on 5 February 2007, and has brought comparison with artists such as Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury was a British musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Queen. As a performer, he was known for his flamboyant stage persona and powerful vocals over a four-octave range...
, Scissor Sisters
Scissor Sisters
Scissor Sisters are an American band "spawned by the scuzzy, gay nightlife scene of New York" who took their name from a sexual position between two women also known as tribadism...
, Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
, Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
, Robbie Williams
Robbie Williams
Robert Peter "Robbie" Williams is an English singer-songwriter, vocal coach and occasional actor. He is a member of the pop group Take That. Williams rose to fame in the band's first run in the early- to mid-1990s. After many disagreements with the management and certain group members, Williams...
and David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
. "Grace Kelly
Grace Kelly (song)
"Grace Kelly" is a song by the English singer Mika, released for download on January 9, 2007. It also appears on Mika's 2007 album Life in Cartoon Motion. Produced and mixed by Greg Wells, the song entered the UK Singles Chart at number three and the UK Official Download Chart at number one...
," in fact, references Mercury in the lyrics: "I try to be like Grace Kelly/But all her looks were too sad/So I try a little Freddie/I've gone identity mad."
Mika was the musical act for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on 26 March 2007 and 14 February 2008 and for Jimmy Kimmel Live
Jimmy Kimmel Live
Jimmy Kimmel Live! is an American late-night talk show, created and hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and broadcast on ABC.The nightly hour-long show made its debut on January 26, 2003, following Super Bowl XXXVII. Jimmy Kimmel Live! is produced by Jackhole Productions in association with ABC Studios...
on 27 March 2007. He also performed live on So You Think You Can Dance
So You Think You Can Dance (U.S. TV series)
So You Think You Can Dance is an American dance competition and reality show that airs on Fox in the United States.The series first premiered on July 20, 2005, and was created by American Idol producers Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe and is produced by 19 Entertainment and Dick Clark Productions...
on 26 July 2007.
Sara Bareilles
Sara Beth Bareilles is an American singer-songwriter and pianist. She achieved mainstream success in 2007 with the hit single "Love Song", which brought her into the number one spot on the Billboard Pop 100 chart. She has sold over 1 million records in the United States alone and has been...
and Natalia Lesz
Natalia Lesz
Natalia Lesz is a Polish pop singer and actress.-Background:Natalia studied for eight years at The Warsaw Ballet School. She later went on to complete numerous training programs in well-known schools, including the Royal Academy of Dancing in London, and both The Alvin Ailey, and Broadway Dance...
.
On 10 October 2007 Mika began his Dodgy Holiday Tour, playing at venues across Europe. On 17 November 2007 Mika started the UK leg of his tour with support from Palladium
Palladium (band)
Palladium were an English pop rock band, active from 2006 until early 2009. They are not to be confused with the Australian or American bands of the same name.-Career:...
. The North American leg of his tour began in January 2008 with support from The Midway State
The Midway State
The Midway State is an alternative rock band from Toronto, Canada. The band is signed to Remedy Records worldwide and to Universal Publishing for the world outside North America. The band released their debut album Holes in 2008...
and Creature
Creature (band)
Creature is a Canadian pop rock band from Montreal, Quebec.-History:The band formed in 2004 and released a debut album No Sleep At All on March 3, 2008. The following year, No Sleep At All became a nominee in the "Pop Album of The Year" category at the Juno Awards of 2009.The band's sound...
and continued through February with a stop in Los Angeles for the 50th Grammy Awards
50th Grammy Awards
The 50th Annual Grammy Awards took place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, on February 10, 2008. Kanye West received the most nominations, with eight. Amy Winehouse was the big winner, winning a total of five awards. Herbie Hancock's River: The Joni Letters won Album of the Year,...
.
His debut album Life in Cartoon Motion
Life in Cartoon Motion
Life in Cartoon Motion is the debut album by singer Mika, produced by Greg Wells and Mika, mixed by Greg Wells, with co-production on two songs by Jodi Marr and John Merchant, released on Island Records on 5 February 2007 in the United Kingdom, and on Casablanca Records on 27 March 2007 in the U.S....
has a coming of age theme and deals with his transition from childhood to the present, though he has stated that not all of the songs are autobiographical. His songs often deal with difficult topics. For instance, in "Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)" the theme of larger women suffering from discrimination is explored. Mika has said that the fact that his mother was a big woman, and that he had seen the prejudices against her, helped him to write the song. In another example of dealing with more difficult subject matter, in the song "Billy Brown", Mika writes about a married man who has a homosexual affair.
On 20 February 2008 Mika opened the 2008 BRIT Awards
2008 BRIT Awards
The 2008 BRIT Awards was the 28th edition of the biggest annual music awards in the United Kingdom. They are run by the British Phonographic Industry and took place on 20 February 2008 at the Earls Court Exhibition Centre in London. The ceremony attracted 6.1 million viewers, 800,000 more than the...
with a live performance of "Love Today
Love Today
"Love Today" is the Grammy-nominated third single released by London-based singer Mika, taken from his album Life in Cartoon Motion. The song was produced by Greg Wells at Rocket Carousel studios and engineered by Drew Pearson. It was released in the United Kingdom on 16 April 2007 as a digital...
," "Grace Kelly," and a duet, "Standing in the Way of Control
Standing in the Way of Control (song)
"Standing in the Way of Control" is a single by the American indie rock band The Gossip from the album of the same name. The remix by Le Tigre was released in 2005, the original was then released as a single in 2006, and was re-released again on February 26, 2007...
," with Beth Ditto
Beth Ditto
Mary Beth Patterson, known by her stage name Beth Ditto , is an American singer-songwriter, most famous for her work with the indie rock band Gossip.-Personal life:...
. He was later awarded the BRIT Award for Best British Breakthrough Artist.
Mika has reportedly written songs for other musicians, saying "I write songs for other people under different names most of the time. I have a little family of three names. One of them has been discovered – it's Alice."
The Boy Who Knew Too Much: 2009–2010
Prior to the release of his second studio album, Mika released a limited-edition extended playExtended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
titled Songs for Sorrow
Songs for Sorrow
Songs for Sorrow is the second extended play by singer Mika. It was released in digital form on May 15, 2009, and in a limited edition book & cd physical form on June 8, 2009. The song "Blue Eyes" was used to promote the EP, and was A-listed on the BBC Radio 2 playlist. The EP received the name...
on 8 June 2009. The EP includes 4 tracks and a 68-page book featuring lyrics and exclusive illustrated interpretations of each song by some of Mika’s favourite artists. The song "Blue Eyes" was used to promote the EP, and was A-listed on the BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
playlist.
Mika's second studio album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
The Boy Who Knew Too Much
The Boy Who Knew Too Much (album)
The Boy Who Knew Too Much is the second studio album by singer Mika. It was released on 21 September 2009, under Casablanca Records in the United States and Polydor and Island Records in the United Kingdom.-Background:...
was released on 21 September 2009. Mika recorded the majority of the album in Los Angeles with producer and musician Greg Wells
Greg Wells
Greg Wells is a multiple Grammy nominated musician, record producer and songwriter based in Los Angeles. Wells has produced and written hits with Adele, Weezer, Pink, Theophilus London, Deftones, Katy Perry, Rufus Wainwright, The All American Rejects, OneRepublic, Mika, Aerosmith, Burt Bacharach,...
, who also produced his debut album Life In Cartoon Motion. The album has been described as Mika dealing with his adolescent teenage years and "in a sense is kind of part two" of his first album. He got a Bafta in 2006 for best Male Artist Worldwide.
The album was originally titled We Are Golden after the first single from the album, "We Are Golden
We Are Golden
"We Are Golden" is the first single from English singer Mika's second studio album, The Boy Who Knew Too Much. The song was produced and mixed by Greg Wells and features the Andrae Crouch Gospel Choir.-Release:...
". On 20 July 2009 in an on-air interview with DJ
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
Jo Whiley
Jo Whiley
Johanne "Jo" Whiley is a British radio disc jockey and television presenter. She was the host of the long running weekday Jo Whiley Show on Radio 1.-Early life and education:...
on BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
, Mika revealed he was considering renaming the album, because he wanted "something a little more ridiculous." On 6 August 2009 it was confirmed that the album's title would change to The Boy Who Knew Too Much.
The first single from the album, "We Are Golden
We Are Golden
"We Are Golden" is the first single from English singer Mika's second studio album, The Boy Who Knew Too Much. The song was produced and mixed by Greg Wells and features the Andrae Crouch Gospel Choir.-Release:...
", made its radio debut in the United Kingdom on 20 July 2009, on BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
and was released for download on 6 September 2009, with the physical release following on 7 September 2009. The single debuted at number 4 on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
on 13 September 2009. Mika's promotional tour of the single included live performances at the iTunes Festival 2009 at The Roundhouse
The Roundhouse
The Roundhouse is a Grade II* listed former railway engine shed in Chalk Farm, London, England, which has been converted into a performing arts and concert venue. It was originally built in 1847 as a roundhouse , a circular building containing a railway turntable, but was only used for railway...
in Camden, London and on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross
Friday Night with Jonathan Ross
Friday Night with Jonathan Ross was a British comedy chat show presented by Jonathan Ross. It was first broadcast on BBC One on 2 November 2001. The programme featured Ross's take on current topics of conversation, guest interviews and live music from both a guest music group and the house band...
in September 2009. It was reported that Mika spent £25,000 on drinks after inviting fans to join him at his local pub via Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
on 7 September 2009 to celebrate the release of his single.
"Blame It on the Girls
Blame It on the Girls
"Blame It on the Girls" is the second single from Mika's second studio album, The Boy Who Knew Too Much. It was released on October 5, 2009. It was also the third single released in the UK on February 15, 2010. The song was produced and mixed by Greg Wells...
" was released as the second single in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. This was alongside "Rain
Rain (Mika song)
"Rain" is a song by Mika, appearing on his second studio album The Boy Who Knew Too Much. Rain was released in United Kingdom as the second single of the album. It was later released in Japan and the US as the third single of the album, as Blame it on the Girls was the second single in these...
" being the second single in the United Kingdom which was released on 23 November. It was confirmed that "Blame It On The Girls" will be the third single in the United Kingdom and will be released 15 February 2010. His American promotional tour consisted of live performances on Good Morning America
Good Morning America
Good Morning America is an American morning news and talk show that is broadcast on the ABC television network; it debuted on November 3, 1975. The weekday program airs for two hours; a third hour aired between 2007 and 2008 exclusively on ABC News Now...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
on 25 September 2009 and the Late Show with David Letterman
Late Show with David Letterman
Late Show with David Letterman is a U.S. late-night talk show hosted by David Letterman on CBS. The show debuted on August 30, 1993, and is produced by Letterman's production company, Worldwide Pants Incorporated. The show's music director and band-leader of the house band, the CBS Orchestra, is...
on 14 October 2009.
In November 2009 Mika performed 'Rain' and 'We Are Golden' live at the Sydney Opera House
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in the Australian city of Sydney. It was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, finally opening in 1973 after a long gestation starting with his competition-winning design in 1957...
for the Australian Idol
Australian Idol
Australian Idol is a Logie Award-winning Australian singing competition, which began its first season on July 2003 and ended its run in November 2009. As part of the Idol franchise, Australian Idol originated from the reality program Pop Idol, which was created by British entertainment executive...
Grand Final. He also performed on Sunrise
Sunrise (TV program)
Sunrise is an Australian breakfast television program, broadcast on the Seven Network. On weekdays the programme follows Seven Early News, and runs from 6am through to 9am.-History:...
on the Seven Network
Seven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
On 30 November 2009, Mika performed "Let It Snow
Let It Snow
"Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!", also known as "Let It Snow", is a song written by lyricist Sammy Cahn and composer Jule Styne in 1945. The song was written in July 1945 in Hollywood, California during one of the hottest days on record. First recorded by Vaughn Monroe, it became a popular...
" in a duet with Japanese
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
pop star Hikaru Utada.
On 21 March 2010 Mika performed "Gave It All Away
Gave It All Away
"Gave It All Away" is a song written by Mika and performed by Boyzone. It was the lead single to be released from their fourth studio album, Brother, on 1 March 2010. The song was originally meant to be their comeback single, however Mika did not allow it. The song includes lead vocals from Ronan...
" with Boyzone
Boyzone
Boyzone are an Irish boy band comprising Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham, Ronan Keating,Shane Lynch, and formerly Stephen Gately. Boyzone have 19 singles in the top 40 UK charts and 21 singles in the Ire charts. The group currently have 6 UK number one singles and 9 number one singles in Ireland with 12...
on ITV1
ITV1
ITV1 is a generic brand that is used by twelve franchises of the British ITV Network in the English regions, Wales, southern Scotland , the Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey. The ITV1 brand was introduced by Carlton and Granada in 2001, alongside the regional identities of their...
for Boyzone: A Tribute To Stephen Gately
Stephen Gately
Stephen Patrick David Gately was an Irish pop singer–songwriter, actor, dancer, musician and author, who, with Ronan Keating, was one of two lead singers of the pop group Boyzone. All of Boyzone's studio albums hit number one in the United Kingdom, their third being their most successful...
.
In May 2010 Mika released his new single "Kick Ass
Kick Ass (song)
"Kick Ass" is a song by British singer-songwriter Mika and Moroccan-Swedish record producer RedOne released as a single from the soundtrack to the film Kick-Ass...
", the title track to the 2010 Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
film "Kick-Ass
Kick-Ass (film)
Kick-Ass is a 2010 superhero comedy film based on the comic book of the same name by Mark Millar and John Romita, Jr. The film was directed by Matthew Vaughn, who co-produced the film with actor Brad Pitt, and co-wrote the screenplay with Jane Goldman...
".
The Origin of Love: 2011–2012
Mika has begun recording his new album. He has stated in numerous interviews that the new album will be more simplistic and less layered than the previous album. Mika announced the title of the album, The Origin of Love in a French interview on 17 June. Mika has said in numerous interviews that he will include a number of French tracks on the album, and has said that the musical style will include elements of Daft PunkDaft Punk
Daft Punk are an electronic music duo consisting of French musicians Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter . Daft Punk reached significant popularity in the late 1990s house movement in France and met with continued success in the years following, combining elements of house with synthpop...
and Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac are a British–American rock band formed in 1967 in London.The only original member present in the band is its eponymous drummer, Mick Fleetwood...
. He describes the album as less child-like and more serious. The first single released from the album is "Elle Me Dit
Elle me dit
"Elle me dit" is a French single from British singer-songwriter Mika's upcoming album, The Origin of Love. A 12-second preview was published online on the morning of 1 July 2011. The full-length song was published that afternoon. The single was released on the French iTunes Store on 11 July 2011....
", Mika's first French track. It was released online on 1 July 2011. The album is expected to be released in 2012.
Discography
Studio albums- 2007: Life in Cartoon MotionLife in Cartoon MotionLife in Cartoon Motion is the debut album by singer Mika, produced by Greg Wells and Mika, mixed by Greg Wells, with co-production on two songs by Jodi Marr and John Merchant, released on Island Records on 5 February 2007 in the United Kingdom, and on Casablanca Records on 27 March 2007 in the U.S....
- 2009: The Boy Who Knew Too MuchThe Boy Who Knew Too Much (album)The Boy Who Knew Too Much is the second studio album by singer Mika. It was released on 21 September 2009, under Casablanca Records in the United States and Polydor and Island Records in the United Kingdom.-Background:...
- 2012: The Origin of Love
EPs
- 2006: Dodgy HolidayDodgy Holiday EPDodgy Holiday is the first extended play released by British pop singer Mika. It was released digitally released on November 20, 2006, prior to the release of Life in Cartoon Motion, his debut album, which was later released in February 2007. The name of the EP was derived from the lyrics of the...
- 2007: iTunes Festival: London
- 2009: Songs for SorrowSongs for SorrowSongs for Sorrow is the second extended play by singer Mika. It was released in digital form on May 15, 2009, and in a limited edition book & cd physical form on June 8, 2009. The song "Blue Eyes" was used to promote the EP, and was A-listed on the BBC Radio 2 playlist. The EP received the name...
- 2009: iTunes Live: London Festival '09
Awards and nominations
| Year | Organisation | Nominated work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | BBC Sound of 2007 Sound of... (BBC poll) Sound of... is an annual poll of music critics and industry figures to find the most promising new music talent. It was first conducted by the BBC News website in 2003. A top 10 list is published each January.-Winners:-Sound of 2009:... |
Mika | Sound of 2007 | |
| World Music Awards World Music Awards The World Music Awards is an international awards show founded in 1989 that annually honors recording artists based on worldwide sales figures provided by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry . John Martinotti is an executive producer and co-founder of the show... |
Best-Selling New Artist | |||
| Best-Selling Male Pop/Rock Artist | ||||
| Best-Selling British Artist | ||||
| MTV Europe Music Awards 2007 MTV Europe Music Awards 2007 2007 was the 14th MTV European Music Awards, taking place at the Olympiahalle in Munich with hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg as host. The show attracted 78 million votes, the biggest in MTV Europe Music Awards history.... |
Best Solo Artist | |||
| "Grace Kelly Grace Kelly (song) "Grace Kelly" is a song by the English singer Mika, released for download on January 9, 2007. It also appears on Mika's 2007 album Life in Cartoon Motion. Produced and mixed by Greg Wells, the song entered the UK Singles Chart at number three and the UK Official Download Chart at number one... " |
Best Track | |||
| The Record of the Year 2007 The Record of the Year The Record of the Year is an award voted by the UK public. For many years it was given in conjunction with television programmes of the same name... |
Record of the Year | Third place |
||
| 2008 | The 50th Grammy Awards 50th Grammy Awards The 50th Annual Grammy Awards took place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, on February 10, 2008. Kanye West received the most nominations, with eight. Amy Winehouse was the big winner, winning a total of five awards. Herbie Hancock's River: The Joni Letters won Album of the Year,... |
"Love Today Love Today "Love Today" is the Grammy-nominated third single released by London-based singer Mika, taken from his album Life in Cartoon Motion. The song was produced by Greg Wells at Rocket Carousel studios and engineered by Drew Pearson. It was released in the United Kingdom on 16 April 2007 as a digital... " |
Best Dance Recording | |
| 2008 BRIT Awards 2008 BRIT Awards The 2008 BRIT Awards was the 28th edition of the biggest annual music awards in the United Kingdom. They are run by the British Phonographic Industry and took place on 20 February 2008 at the Earls Court Exhibition Centre in London. The ceremony attracted 6.1 million viewers, 800,000 more than the... |
Mika | British Male Solo Artist | ||
| Life in Cartoon Motion Life in Cartoon Motion Life in Cartoon Motion is the debut album by singer Mika, produced by Greg Wells and Mika, mixed by Greg Wells, with co-production on two songs by Jodi Marr and John Merchant, released on Island Records on 5 February 2007 in the United Kingdom, and on Casablanca Records on 27 March 2007 in the U.S.... |
British Album | |||
| "Grace Kelly Grace Kelly (song) "Grace Kelly" is a song by the English singer Mika, released for download on January 9, 2007. It also appears on Mika's 2007 album Life in Cartoon Motion. Produced and mixed by Greg Wells, the song entered the UK Singles Chart at number three and the UK Official Download Chart at number one... " |
British Single | |||
| Mika | British Breakthrough Act | |||
| 2009 | MTV Europe Music Awards 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards 2009 The MTV Europe Music Awards 2009 took place in Berlin, Germany at the O2 World and in front of the Brandenburg Gate. The award show was presented by Katy Perry. Nominations were officially announced on September 21, 2009. This is the fourth time that the MTV Europe Music Awards were hosted in... |
Best Male | ||
| 2010 | 2010 BRIT Awards 2010 BRIT Awards The 2010 BRIT Awards took place on Tuesday 16 February 2010. It was the 30th edition of the British Phonographic Industry's annual pop music awards. The awards ceremony was held at Earls Court Exhibition Centre in London. The ceremony was broadcast live on ITV1, hosted by Peter Kay with Fearne... |
British Male Solo Artist |
| Other awards and nominations | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Organisation | Nominated work | Award | Result |
| 2007 | Q Awards Q Awards The Q Awards are the UK's annual music awards run by the music magazine Q. Since they began in 1990, the Q Awards have become one of Britain's biggest and best publicised music awards, helped in no small part by the often boisterous behavior of the celebrities who attend the event... |
Mika | Best Breakthrough Artist | |
| Best Hair on an Artist | ||||
| Vodafone Vodafone Vodafone Group Plc is a global telecommunications company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest mobile telecommunications company measured by revenues and the world's second-largest measured by subscribers , with around 341 million proportionate subscribers as of... Live Awards |
Best Male Artist | |||
| UK Festival Award | Best Festival Pop Act | |||
| BT Digital Music Awards | Best Pop Act | |||
| Premios Principales | Best International Non-Spanish Language Artist | |||
| "Grace Kelly Grace Kelly (song) "Grace Kelly" is a song by the English singer Mika, released for download on January 9, 2007. It also appears on Mika's 2007 album Life in Cartoon Motion. Produced and mixed by Greg Wells, the song entered the UK Singles Chart at number three and the UK Official Download Chart at number one... " |
Best International Non-Spanish Language Song | |||
| Virgin Media Virgin Media Virgin Media Inc. is a company which provides fixed and mobile telephone, television and broadband internet services to businesses and consumers in the United Kingdom... Awards |
Best Track | |||
| Mika | Best British Act | |||
| Best Male Artist | ||||
| 2008 | NRJ Music Awards NRJ Music Awards The NRJ Music Awards, created in 2000 by the radio station NRJ in partnership with the television network TF1 takes place every year in mid-January at Cannes as the opening of MIDEM... |
International Revelation of the Year | ||
| "Relax, Take It Easy Relax, Take It Easy "Relax, Take It Easy" is the debut single by British singer-songwriter Mika, from his debut album Life in Cartoon Motion. In the UK, it failed to chart upon its original release, but after "Grace Kelly" topped the charts in January 2007, it managed to peak at #67 on the UK Downloads Chart because... " |
International Song of the Year | |||
| Life in Cartoon Motion Life in Cartoon Motion Life in Cartoon Motion is the debut album by singer Mika, produced by Greg Wells and Mika, mixed by Greg Wells, with co-production on two songs by Jodi Marr and John Merchant, released on Island Records on 5 February 2007 in the United Kingdom, and on Casablanca Records on 27 March 2007 in the U.S.... |
International Album of the Year | |||
| "Relax, Take It Easy Relax, Take It Easy "Relax, Take It Easy" is the debut single by British singer-songwriter Mika, from his debut album Life in Cartoon Motion. In the UK, it failed to chart upon its original release, but after "Grace Kelly" topped the charts in January 2007, it managed to peak at #67 on the UK Downloads Chart because... " |
Music Video of the Year | |||
| Swiss Music Awards | Mika | Best International Newcomer | ||
| ECHO Awards | Best International Male Artist | |||
| Best International Newcomer | ||||
| Capital Awards | Best British Male Artist | |||
| Life in Cartoon Motion Life in Cartoon Motion Life in Cartoon Motion is the debut album by singer Mika, produced by Greg Wells and Mika, mixed by Greg Wells, with co-production on two songs by Jodi Marr and John Merchant, released on Island Records on 5 February 2007 in the United Kingdom, and on Casablanca Records on 27 March 2007 in the U.S.... |
Best British Album | |||
| Amadeus Awards (Austrian Music Awards) | "Grace Kelly Grace Kelly (song) "Grace Kelly" is a song by the English singer Mika, released for download on January 9, 2007. It also appears on Mika's 2007 album Life in Cartoon Motion. Produced and mixed by Greg Wells, the song entered the UK Singles Chart at number three and the UK Official Download Chart at number one... " |
Best International Single | ||
| MTV Video Music Awards Japan MTV Video Music Awards Japan The MTV Video Music Awards Japan are the Japanese version of the MTV Video Music Awards.Like the MTV Video Music Awards in the United States, in this event artists are awarded for their songs and videos through online voting from the same channel viewers... |
"Grace Kelly Grace Kelly (song) "Grace Kelly" is a song by the English singer Mika, released for download on January 9, 2007. It also appears on Mika's 2007 album Life in Cartoon Motion. Produced and mixed by Greg Wells, the song entered the UK Singles Chart at number three and the UK Official Download Chart at number one... " |
Best New Artist Video | ||
| MTV Australia Video Music Awards | Video of the Year | |||
| TRL Awards (Italy) TRL Awards (Italy) The Italian TRL Awards were established in 2006 by MTV Italy to celebrate the most popular artists and music videos in Italy.-Italian TRL Awards Host Cities:* 2006 - Milan... |
Mika | Man of the Year | ||
| Ivor Novello Awards Ivor Novello Awards The Ivor Novello Awards, named after the Cardiff born entertainer Ivor Novello, are awards for songwriting and composing. They are presented annually in London by the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors and were first introduced in 1955.Nicknamed The Ivors, the awards take place... |
"Grace Kelly Grace Kelly (song) "Grace Kelly" is a song by the English singer Mika, released for download on January 9, 2007. It also appears on Mika's 2007 album Life in Cartoon Motion. Produced and mixed by Greg Wells, the song entered the UK Singles Chart at number three and the UK Official Download Chart at number one... " |
Best Selling British Song | ||
| Mika | Songwriter of the Year | |||
| Nickelodeon UK Nickelodeon UK Nickelodeon is a children's television channel available on Sky, Virgin Media, Smallworld Cable, TalkTalk TV and UPC Ireland in the United Kingdom and Ireland, including on demand on BT Vision. The channel was launched on 1 September 1993... Kids' Choice Awards |
Best Male Singer | |||
| MTV Asia Awards MTV Asia Awards The biannual MTV Asia Awards is the Asian equivalent of the Europe MTV EMA. Established in 2002, the show gives recognition and awards to Asian and international icons in achievement, cinema, fashion, humanitarian, and music. Just like the EMA, most of the awards are voted for by the viewers from... |
Favorite Breakthrough Artist | |||
| TMF Awards TMF Awards The TMF Awards are an annual television awards show broadcast live on TMF .The first Dutch TMF Awards were held in 1995, as a brand extension to the recently launched local Dutch music channel TMF. The show was very small and held in the company cafeteria... |
Best International Pop | |||
| Best International Male Artist | ||||
Current members
- Cherisse Ofosu Osei - Drums
- Jimmy Sims - Bass and Keyboards
- David Whitmey - Keyboards
- Martin Waugh - Guitars
- iMMa - backing vocals
- Ida Falk Winland - backing vocals
- Ben Epstein - Bass (temporary replacement for Jimmy Sims)
Former members
- Luke Juby - Keyboards
- Mike Choi - Bass
- Saraynade - Backup Vocals
- Sam Smith - Backup Vocals