Taio Cruz
Encyclopedia
Taio Cruz is a British
singer-songwriter
, record producer
, occasional rapper
, and entrepreneur
. 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
.
, to a Nigeria
n father and a Brazil
ian mother. He attended Bilton Grange
, a private prep school in Rugby, Warwickshire
.
's writing collective, RedZone Entertainment. Cruz achieved notability in 2005 when he was awarded a BRIT Award
for co-writing Will Young
's 2004 single, "Your Game
".
Cruz is the founder and chief executive of Rokstarr Music London, which in 2006 released his debut single "I Just Wanna Know
". The single attracted significant attention from radio, and also from music industry insiders, who were already well aware of the artist's potential; manager Jamie Binns, who began representing Cruz at this time, later told HitQuarters
: "He was a guy that everyone had earmarked to do damage in the future." Although the single received a reasonable amount of radio airplay, it did not perform as well as expected in either territory. However, rather than lose faith in Cruz, the labels were eager to negotiate an album deal, as by this time they had listened to his other songs and were ever more convinced by his capability.
Cruz's admirers included Island Records
's Darcus Beese and Universal Republic
's Monte Lipman
, whom, according to Binns: "Both believed 'I Just Wanna Know' fitted the format on both sides of the Atlantic." In 2006, Cruz signed a split single deal with Universal Music Group
companies, Republic Records
and the UK branch of Island Records
.
" 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. 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.
'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.
During 2009, he worked on his follow-up album entitled Rokstarr
. 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. The success of the song attracted the attention of David Massey and Daniel Werner from Mercury/Island Def Jam who were excited and aggressive about releasing "Break Your Heart" in the US on their label. According to Cruz's manager Jamie Binns, the relationship with Monte Lipman at Universal Republic had "gone a bit quiet" by this point and as Taio wanted to be with the label that was most enthusiastic about his music, a move from Universal Republic to Mercury/Island Def Jam was engineered.
The single reached the top spot in the US for one week on the Billboard charts
. 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". In order to introduce Cruz into the US market, David Massey had suggested that the single feature an American rapper with chart credibility. The album spawned two other UK singles, "No Other One
", and the top-ten hit "Dirty Picture
" featuring American electropop singer Kesha. The album's fourth single (second in the US) titled "Dynamite" debuted at 26 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.
which includes songs both from Departure and the international version of Rokstarr. Cruz later released four versions of his single "Higher
" - one featuring Kylie Minogue
, one featuring Travie McCoy
, one featuring both, and one with just himself.
Cruz has also been featured on the soundtrack of American reality TV series
Jersey Shore
.
" featuring rapper Flo Rida
, which was released on 4 October 2011, and a second single, entitled "Troublemaker
", is expected for release on 26 December 2011. Troublemaker receieved an early release in France, made available from 15 August 2011. The title of the album stems from Taio's frustration with the incorrect pronunciation of his name. The title is the phonetic pronunciation of the two syllables "TY" and "O" creating TY.O or Taio.
, 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. 2011 will see him writing for Justin Bieber
's next album. 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
.
, 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."
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."
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
, record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, occasional rapper
Rapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
, and entrepreneur
Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
. In 2008, he released his debut album Departure
Departure (Taio Cruz album)
Departure is the debut studio album by English Pop singer-songwriter Taio Cruz. It was released on 17 March 2008. The album entered the UK Albums Chart at number 17.-Background:...
, which Cruz wrote, arranged and produced himself. It achieved initial success in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and earned him a MOBO Award nomination. In June 2010, Cruz released his follow-up album Rokstarr
Rokstarr
Rokstarr is the second studio album by English recording artist Taio Cruz. It was released on 12 October 2009 in the United Kingdom. On 11 June 2010, a revised version of the album was released in Europe and the United States, appearing as Cruz's debut album there...
, which includes the number one singles "Break Your Heart
Break Your Heart
"Break Your Heart" is a song by English singer-songwriter Taio Cruz. The song serves as the lead single from his second studio album Rokstarr. It was written by Cruz and Fraser T. Smith and produced by Smith. It was first released in the UK on 20 September 2009, followed by a release in the United...
" and "Dynamite
Dynamite (Taio Cruz song)
"Dynamite" is the fourth single from English recording artist Taio Cruz's second album Rokstarr. It was written by Cruz, Max Martin, Bonnie McKee, and Dr. Luke, and produced by Dr. Luke and Benny Blanco for the international version of Rokstarr. In the UK, the song was released as the first single...
". Cruz has collaborated with Kesha
Kesha
Kesha village is a small village nestled in the mountains of Yongshun County, northwestern Hunan province, China, located at latitude 29 05' 50", longitude 109 57' 9". The name is pronounced in Standard Chinese. The official language is Manderin Chinese....
and Fabolous
Fabolous
John David Jackson , better known by his stage name Fabolous, is an American rapper of African American and Dominican descent. He grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Part of his early popularity arose from his hit single "Can't Deny It" in 2001, from his debut...
on the single "Dirty Picture
Dirty Picture
"Dirty Picture" is a song by the British R&B singer Taio Cruz. The song was written and produced by Cruz alongside Fraser T. Smith for Cruz's second studio album, Rokstarr. Originally, Cruz wanted the female vocals to be done by Lady Gaga but opted to switch to Kesha due to heavy influence by Dr....
", as well as Kylie Minogue
Kylie Minogue
Kylie Ann Minogue, OBE - often known simply as Kylie - is an Australian singer, recording artist, songwriter, and actress. After beginning her career as a child actress on Australian television, she achieved recognition through her role in the television soap opera Neighbours, before commencing...
and Travie McCoy
Travie McCoy
Travie Lazarus McCoy is an American singer and rapper. He is the lead vocalist of the alternative hip-hop band Gym Class Heroes. He released his debut solo album Lazarus on June 8, 2010....
on his single "Higher
Higher (Taio Cruz song)
"Higher" is the fifth single from English singer-songwriter Taio Cruz's second studio album Rokstarr. It was written and produced by Cruz and Sandy Vee, and was released on 26 November 2010. This song was originally written for Australian singer Kylie Minogue's album Aphrodite, but plans fell through...
". Additionally, Cruz penned and recorded the song "Telling the World
Telling the World
"Telling the World" is a song by English singer-songwriter Taio Cruz, released as the seventh overall single and first single from the second re-release of his second studio album, Rokstarr. The song also appears in the film Rio, and is known as the main theme for the film. The lyrics are sung in...
" as the lead single from the soundtrack to the 2011 animated film Rio
Rio (film)
Rio, often promoted as Rio: The Movie, is a 2011 American 3D computer-animated musical comedy film produced by Blue Sky Studios and directed by Carlos Saldanha. The title refers to the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, in which the film is set. The film features the voices of Jesse Eisenberg, Anne...
.
Early life
Cruz was born in LondonLondon
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...
, to a Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
n father and a Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian mother. He attended Bilton Grange
Bilton Grange
Bilton Grange is a preparatory school located in Dunchurch, near Rugby, Warwickshire. The present headmaster is Mr. JP Kirk, the eighth in total....
, a private prep school in Rugby, Warwickshire
Rugby, Warwickshire
Rugby is a market town in Warwickshire, England, located on the River Avon. The town has a population of 61,988 making it the second largest town in the county...
.
Career beginnings
Cruz began writing songs when he was 12. His songwriting career began at age 19 as part of Tricky StewartChristopher Stewart (music producer)
Christopher "Tricky" Stewart is an American songwriter, music producer, music publisher, executive producer, recording industry executive and recording studio owner. In a career spanning 16 years, Stewart, at the helm of his company RedZone Entertainment, is responsible for over 25 million...
's writing collective, RedZone Entertainment. Cruz achieved notability in 2005 when he was awarded a BRIT Award
Brit Awards
The Brit Awards are the British Phonographic Industry's annual pop music awards. The name was originally a shortened form of "British", "Britain" or "Britannia", but subsequently became a backronym for British Record Industry Trust...
for co-writing Will Young
Will Young
William Robert "Will" Young is a British singer-songwriter and actor who came to prominenceafter winning the 2002 inaugural series of the British music contest Pop Idol, making him the first winner of the now-worldwide Idols-format franchise...
's 2004 single, "Your Game
Your Game
"Your Game" is the second single from Will Young's second studio album Friday's Child. It was co-written by Young, Taio Cruz and Blair MacKichan. It went to number three in the UK Singles Chart. The song also appears on the international version of Young's third album Keep On...
".
Cruz is the founder and chief executive of Rokstarr Music London, which in 2006 released his debut single "I Just Wanna Know
I Just Wanna Know
"I Just Wanna Know" is the debut R&B single written & produced by British singer-songwriter Taio Cruz, and the first from his debut album Departure, which would be released a year and a half after this single. The single was released on November 6, 2006, and charted on the UK Singles Chart at #29...
". The single attracted significant attention from radio, and also from music industry insiders, who were already well aware of the artist's potential; manager Jamie Binns, who began representing Cruz at this time, later told HitQuarters
HitQuarters
HitQuarters is an international music industry publication and contact database founded in 1999. It is noted for in-depth interviews with industry figures, with past subjects including Simon Cowell, Martin Kierszenbaum, Jason Flom, Diane Warren, Peter Edge, Ron Fair and RedOne, as well as its A&R...
: "He was a guy that everyone had earmarked to do damage in the future." Although the single received a reasonable amount of radio airplay, it did not perform as well as expected in either territory. However, rather than lose faith in Cruz, the labels were eager to negotiate an album deal, as by this time they had listened to his other songs and were ever more convinced by his capability.
Cruz's admirers included 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...
's Darcus Beese and Universal Republic
Universal Republic
Universal Republic Records is a record label, owned by Universal Music Group. It is based on the now-defunct Republic Records label founded by brothers Monte and Avery Lipman...
's Monte Lipman
Monte Lipman
Monte Lipman is an American music industry executive. He is presently the President and CEO of Universal Republic Records.In the current era of record company transition, Lipman transformed his own start-up label, Republic Records, into an autonomous imprint in 2005 – Universal Republic Records,...
, whom, according to Binns: "Both believed 'I Just Wanna Know' fitted the format on both sides of the Atlantic." In 2006, Cruz signed a split single deal with Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
companies, Republic Records
Republic Records
Republic Records was a record label and subsidiary of Universal Motown Republic Group. They originally went by the name Cheese Factory Records...
and the UK branch of 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...
.
Departure (2006–2008)
Taio Cruz released his second single "Moving OnMoving On (Taio Cruz song)
"Moving On" is a song written and produced by Taio Cruz, and was the second single taken from his debut album Departure. "Moving On" became his second top thirty hit, peaking at #26 on the UK singles chart, outpeaking his debut single by three places...
" in September 2007 which made the top 30 in the UK. In March 2008 his next single, "Come On Girl
Come On Girl
"Come On Girl" is a song written and produced by Taio Cruz, featuring a guest vocal from singer Luciana. It is the third single from his album Departure. It was his biggest hit to date, peaking at number five in the UK Singles Chart, outperforming both of his previous top 30 UK hits, until his 2009...
," featuring Luciana, peaked at No. 5 on the UK charts. The related album Departure
Departure (Taio Cruz album)
Departure is the debut studio album by English Pop singer-songwriter Taio Cruz. It was released on 17 March 2008. The album entered the UK Albums Chart at number 17.-Background:...
appeared on 17 March and peaked at No. 17. This was followed by the single "I Can Be
I Can Be
"I Can Be" is the fourth single by Taio Cruz from his debut album Departure, released in May 2008. The song peaked at number 18 in the UK Singles Chart. The single's B-side, "Disco Fever", was written and recorded exclusively for the release, and featured in the television adverts for Britannia...
," which reached No. 18 in May. On 18 August, "She's Like a Star
She's Like a Star
"She's Like a Star" is the fifth single from Taio Cruz's debut album Departure. An official remix of the song exists featuring Sugababes and Busta Rhymes. Cruz and Sugababes performed the song live at the 2008 MOBO Awards Ceremony. The song peaked at number twenty in the UK Singles Chart. The video...
" was released, which was a remix of the previous single and featured American rapper Busta Rhymes
Busta Rhymes
Trevor Tahiem Smith, Jr., better known by his stage name Busta Rhymes ,Smith is an American rapper, producer and actor. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the alias Busta Rhymes after NFL wide receiver George "Buster" Rhymes...
and girl-group Sugababes
Sugababes
The Sugababes are an English pop girl group based in London, consisting of members Heidi Range, Amelle Berrabah and Jade Ewen. The Sugababes were formed in 1998 with founding members Siobhán Donaghy, Mutya Buena and Keisha Buchanan. Their debut album, One Touch, was released in 2000 under London...
. 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
Umbrella (song)
"Umbrella" is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna, featuring a rap verse by Jay-Z. The song was written by The-Dream, Christopher Stewart, Kuk Harrell and Jay-Z, and was produced by Stewart and The-Dream for Rihanna's third studio album, Good Girl Gone Bad...
" which was eventually recorded by Rihanna
Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty , better known as simply Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers...
and ended up topping charts around the world.
Rokstarr and International breakthrough (2009-2011)
Cruz was featured on Tinchy StryderTinchy Stryder
Kwasi Danquah III , better known by his pseudonyms Tinchy Stryder and Star In The Hood, is a Ghanaian British recording artist, music executive, A&R executive, and businessman...
's breakout single "Take Me Back" which peaked at No. 3 in 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 ...
. According to Cruz's official Myspace
Myspace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
blog, as of 1 January 2009, Rokstarr Music London officially changed its name to Rokstarr Entertainment Division and abbreviated to R.E.D Inc.
During 2009, he worked on his follow-up album entitled Rokstarr
Rokstarr
Rokstarr is the second studio album by English recording artist Taio Cruz. It was released on 12 October 2009 in the United Kingdom. On 11 June 2010, a revised version of the album was released in Europe and the United States, appearing as Cruz's debut album there...
. 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
Fraser T. Smith
Fraser T. Smith is an English record producer, songwriter, mix engineer and guitarist....
. The album's lead single "Break Your Heart
Break Your Heart
"Break Your Heart" is a song by English singer-songwriter Taio Cruz. The song serves as the lead single from his second studio album Rokstarr. It was written by Cruz and Fraser T. Smith and produced by Smith. It was first released in the UK on 20 September 2009, followed by a release in the United...
" was released on 14 September and reached number one in the UK, where it stayed for three weeks. The success of the song attracted the attention of David Massey and Daniel Werner from Mercury/Island Def Jam who were excited and aggressive about releasing "Break Your Heart" in the US on their label. According to Cruz's manager Jamie Binns, the relationship with Monte Lipman at Universal Republic had "gone a bit quiet" by this point and as Taio wanted to be with the label that was most enthusiastic about his music, a move from Universal Republic to Mercury/Island Def Jam was engineered.
The single reached the top spot in the US for one week on the Billboard charts
Billboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
. In an interview for The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
it was stated that "Cruz was clever to have hooked up with a US rapper Ludacris
Ludacris
Christopher Brian Bridges , better known by his stage name Ludacris, is an American rapper and actor. Along with his manager, Chaka Zulu, Ludacris is the co-founder of Disturbing tha Peace, an imprint distributed by Def Jam Recordings...
on his breakthrough hit". In order to introduce Cruz into the US market, David Massey had suggested that the single feature an American rapper with chart credibility. The album spawned two other UK singles, "No Other One
No Other One (song)
"No Other One" is a single by Taio Cruz, the second single from his album Rokstarr. It was released on November 30, 2009. The song peaked at #42 on the UK Singles Chart, making it the lowest charting single from the album.-Reception:...
", and the top-ten hit "Dirty Picture
Dirty Picture
"Dirty Picture" is a song by the British R&B singer Taio Cruz. The song was written and produced by Cruz alongside Fraser T. Smith for Cruz's second studio album, Rokstarr. Originally, Cruz wanted the female vocals to be done by Lady Gaga but opted to switch to Kesha due to heavy influence by Dr....
" featuring American electropop singer Kesha. The album's fourth single (second in the US) titled "Dynamite" debuted at 26 and despite peaking at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, "Dynamite" peaked at number 1 on US top 40 earning Cruz his second US number 1 record.
The Rokstarr Collection
Rokstarr was followed by the compilation album The Rokstarr CollectionThe Rokstarr Collection
The Rokstarr Collection is the first compilation album by English R&B artist Taio Cruz. It was released on 20 September 2010. According to Cruz's official site the album combines "the biggest hits of Taio’s debut album ‘Departure’ and recent album ‘Rokstarr’". The album includes all of Cruz's...
which includes songs both from Departure and the international version of Rokstarr. Cruz later released four versions of his single "Higher
Higher (Taio Cruz song)
"Higher" is the fifth single from English singer-songwriter Taio Cruz's second studio album Rokstarr. It was written and produced by Cruz and Sandy Vee, and was released on 26 November 2010. This song was originally written for Australian singer Kylie Minogue's album Aphrodite, but plans fell through...
" - one featuring Kylie Minogue
Kylie Minogue
Kylie Ann Minogue, OBE - often known simply as Kylie - is an Australian singer, recording artist, songwriter, and actress. After beginning her career as a child actress on Australian television, she achieved recognition through her role in the television soap opera Neighbours, before commencing...
, one featuring Travie McCoy
Travie McCoy
Travie Lazarus McCoy is an American singer and rapper. He is the lead vocalist of the alternative hip-hop band Gym Class Heroes. He released his debut solo album Lazarus on June 8, 2010....
, one featuring both, and one with just himself.
Cruz has also been featured on the soundtrack of American reality TV series
Reality television
Reality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded...
Jersey Shore
Jersey Shore (TV series)
Jersey Shore is an American reality television series that premiered on MTV on December 3, 2009 in the United States. The series follows the lives of eight housemates spending their summer at the Jersey Shore in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Season 2 followed the cast escaping the cold northeast...
.
TY.O (2011)
Taio's third album is expected for release on 2 January 2012. The album was preceded by the lead single, "HangoverHangover (song)
"Hangover" is a song by English singer-songwriter Taio Cruz, released as the lead single from his upcoming studio album, TY.O. The single was released as a digital download on 4 October, 2011 in the United States, and to Rhythmic Top 40 radio on October 18. The song features vocals from American...
" featuring rapper Flo Rida
Flo Rida
Tramar Dillard , better known by his stage name Flo Rida , is an American rapper and singer-songwriter. He released his debut album, Mail on Sunday, in March 2008. His debut single "Low", featuring T-Pain, was a #1 hit for ten weeks in United States in early 2008. Two other singles resulted from...
, which was released on 4 October 2011, and a second single, entitled "Troublemaker
Troublemaker (Taio Cruz song)
"Troublemaker" is an electropop song by English singer-songwriter Taio Cruz, released as the second single from his upcoming studio album, TY.O. The single was released as a digital download on August 15, 2011 in France...
", is expected for release on 26 December 2011. Troublemaker receieved an early release in France, made available from 15 August 2011. The title of the album stems from Taio's frustration with the incorrect pronunciation of his name. The title is the phonetic pronunciation of the two syllables "TY" and "O" creating TY.O or Taio.
Writing and production
Cruz has written songs on albums by Cheryl ColeCheryl Cole
Cheryl Ann Cole is an English pop and R&B recording artist, songwriter, dancer, actress and model. She rose to fame in late 2002 when she auditioned for the reality television show Popstars: The Rivals on ITV. The programme announced that Cole had won a place as a member of the girl group, Girls...
, JLS
JLS
- Music :* JLS, an English boyband** JLS , debut album by JLS* JLS a Spanish Rock band based in Zaragoza , Spain formed in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic by lead Leo Susana.- Organizations :...
, The Saturdays
The Saturdays
The Saturdays are a British and Irish pop girl group based in London, United Kingdom. The group consists of five members Una Healy, Mollie King, Frankie Sandford, Vanessa White and Rochelle Wiseman. In 2007 the band were formed through Fascination Records which gave them an instant record deal with...
, The Wanted
The Wanted
The Wanted are a British-Irish boy band based in London, England. The band consists of Max George, Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness, Tom Parker and Nathan Sykes. Their debut single, "All Time Low", was released in July 2010 and reached number one in the United Kingdom for one week...
and David Guetta
David Guetta
Pierre David Guetta , known professionally as David Guetta , is a French house music producer and DJ. Originally a DJ at nightclubs during the 1980s and 1990s, he co-founded Gum Productions and released his first album, Just a Little More Love, in 2002. Later, he released Guetta Blaster and Pop Life...
. Cruz wrote and featured on Tinchy Stryder
Tinchy Stryder
Kwasi Danquah III , better known by his pseudonyms Tinchy Stryder and Star In The Hood, is a Ghanaian British recording artist, music executive, A&R executive, and businessman...
's hit single "Take Me Back". Pop rock band McFly
McFly
McFly are an English pop rock band who first found fame in 2004. The band consists of Tom Fletcher , Danny Jones , Dougie Poynter and Harry Judd . They were signed to the Island Records label from their 2004 launch until December 2007, before creating their own label, Super Records...
recorded "Shine a Light
Shine a Light (McFly song)
"Shine a Light" is the second single from Engish band McFly's fifth studio album Above the Noise. The single features vocals from singer Taio Cruz. The single was released on 7 November 2010 via Digital Download, with a physical release following the next day. A free download will be available for...
" which not only features, but was also penned and produced by Cruz for their fifth studio album. 2011 will see him writing for Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber
Justin Drew Bieber is a Canadian pop/R&B singer, songwriter and actor. Bieber was discovered in 2008 by Scooter Braun, who came across Bieber's videos on YouTube and later became his manager...
's next album. Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lynn Lopez is an American actress, singer, record producer, dancer, television personality, and fashion designer. Lopez began her career as a dancer on the television comedy program In Living Color. Subsequently venturing into acting, she gained recognition in the 1995 action-thriller...
's 2011 single "I'm Into You
I'm Into You
"I'm Into You" is a song by American recording artist and actress Jennifer Lopez, taken from her seventh studio album, Love? . The mid-tempo pop song was written by Taio Cruz, Lil Wayne and Norwegian duo StarGate, who also produced the song. Lil Wayne also has featured vocals on the song, after...
", featuring Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
, is also penned by Cruz. He also contributed significantly to David Guetta
David Guetta
Pierre David Guetta , known professionally as David Guetta , is a French house music producer and DJ. Originally a DJ at nightclubs during the 1980s and 1990s, he co-founded Gum Productions and released his first album, Just a Little More Love, in 2002. Later, he released Guetta Blaster and Pop Life...
's fifth album Nothing but the Beat
Nothing but the Beat
Nothing but the Beat is the fifth studio album by French DJ and record producer David Guetta. The album was released on August 26, 2011 through Virgin Records . Released as a double album, the first disc features collaborations with artists from the R&B, hip hop and pop world such as Lil Wayne,...
, penning two of his hit singles "Without You
Without You (David Guetta song)
"Without You" is a song by French DJ David Guetta, featuring vocals from American recording artist Usher. It was released as the third single from Guetta's fifth studio album, Nothing but the Beat on October 21, 2011 as a digital download...
", featuring Usher
Usher (entertainer)
Usher Terry Raymond IV , who performs under the mononym Usher, is an American singer-songwriter, and actor. He is considered around the world to be the reigning King of R&B. Usher rose to fame in the late 1990s with the release of his second album My Way, which spawned his first Billboard Hot 100...
and "Little Bad Girl
Little Bad Girl
"Little Bad Girl" is a single by French DJ David Guetta, featuring vocals from English singer-songwriter Taio Cruz and American rapper Ludacris. It was released for digital download from 27 June 2011 by Virgin Records, serving as the second single from Guetta's latest studio album Nothing but the...
", featuring Cruz himself and Ludacris
Ludacris
Christopher Brian Bridges , better known by his stage name Ludacris, is an American rapper and actor. Along with his manager, Chaka Zulu, Ludacris is the co-founder of Disturbing tha Peace, an imprint distributed by Def Jam Recordings...
.
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 WestKanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
, Shontelle
Shontelle
Shontelle Layne , known professionally as Shontelle, is a Barbadian singer, and songwriter. She released her debut album Shontelligence in November 2008. Her sophomore album, No Gravity, was released in September 2010...
, Keri Hilson
Keri Hilson
Keri Lynn Hilson is an American R&B singer-songwriter. Born and raised in Decatur, Georgia, Hilson began her music career as a songwriter, penning tracks for several artists in the mid-2000s as part of the five-person production and songwriting team, The Clutch...
and Kelly Rowland
Kelly Rowland
Kelendria Trene "Kelly" Rowland is an American singer, songwriter, actress, dancer, and television personality. She rose to fame as one of the founding members of the American girl group Destiny's Child...
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."
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."
Discography
- DepartureDeparture (Taio Cruz album)Departure is the debut studio album by English Pop singer-songwriter Taio Cruz. It was released on 17 March 2008. The album entered the UK Albums Chart at number 17.-Background:...
(2008) - RokstarrRokstarrRokstarr is the second studio album by English recording artist Taio Cruz. It was released on 12 October 2009 in the United Kingdom. On 11 June 2010, a revised version of the album was released in Europe and the United States, appearing as Cruz's debut album there...
(2009) - TY.OTY.O-Release history:...
(2011)
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | BRIT Awards Brit Awards The Brit Awards are the British Phonographic Industry's annual pop music awards. The name was originally a shortened form of "British", "Britain" or "Britannia", but subsequently became a backronym for British Record Industry Trust... |
Best British Song | Your Game Your Game "Your Game" is the second single from Will Young's second studio album Friday's Child. It was co-written by Young, Taio Cruz and Blair MacKichan. It went to number three in the UK Singles Chart. The song also appears on the international version of Young's third album Keep On... |
|
| 2008 | MOBO Awards MOBO Awards The Music of Black Origin Awards, established in 1995 by Kanya King MBE and Andy Ruffell, are held annually in the United Kingdom to recognise artists of any ethnicity or nationality performing black music.... |
Best UK Male | ||
| 2010 | American Music Awards American Music Awards -Conception:The AMAs were created by Dick Clark in 1973 to compete with the Grammys after the move of that year's show to Nashville, Tennessee led to CBS picking up the Grammy telecasts after its first two in 1971 and 1972 were broadcast on ABC... |
Breakthrough Artist | ||
| 2010 | BRIT Awards | Best British Song | Break Your Heart Break Your Heart "Break Your Heart" is a song by English singer-songwriter Taio Cruz. The song serves as the lead single from his second studio album Rokstarr. It was written by Cruz and Fraser T. Smith and produced by Smith. It was first released in the UK on 20 September 2009, followed by a release in the United... |
|
| 2010 | iTunes Best Album & Song | Best Song | Dynamite Dynamite (Taio Cruz song) "Dynamite" is the fourth single from English recording artist Taio Cruz's second album Rokstarr. It was written by Cruz, Max Martin, Bonnie McKee, and Dr. Luke, and produced by Dr. Luke and Benny Blanco for the international version of Rokstarr. In the UK, the song was released as the first single... |
|
| 2010 | Ascap Vanguard Award | Recognition of Album | Departure Departure (Taio Cruz album) Departure is the debut studio album by English Pop singer-songwriter Taio Cruz. It was released on 17 March 2008. The album entered the UK Albums Chart at number 17.-Background:... |
|
| 2011 | BRIT Awards | Best British Song | Dynamite | |
| 2011 | Virgin Media Awards | Best Male | ||
| 2011 | Best Collaboration | Dirty Picture Dirty Picture "Dirty Picture" is a song by the British R&B singer Taio Cruz. The song was written and produced by Cruz alongside Fraser T. Smith for Cruz's second studio album, Rokstarr. Originally, Cruz wanted the female vocals to be done by Lady Gaga but opted to switch to Kesha due to heavy influence by Dr.... |
||
| 2011 | Best Video | |||
| 2011 | Billboard Awards 2011 Billboard Music Awards The 2011 Billboard Music Awards were held May 22, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada and hosted by Ken Jeong. The awards recognized the most popular artists and albums from 2010.... |
Top New Artist | ||
| 2011 | Top Hot 100 Song | Dynamite | ||
| 2011 | Top Digital Song | |||
| 2011 | Top Radio Song | |||
| 2011 | Top Streaming Song | |||
| 2011 | Top Pop Song | |||
| 2011 | 2011 MuchMusic Video Awards 2011 MuchMusic Video Awards The 2011 MuchMusic Video Awards was held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada at MuchMusic's headquarters on June 19, 2011. The awards were aired on MuchMusic, CP24, E!, MuchHD and Fuse. Along with the MuchMusic VJ's, it was confirmed on the MuchMusic website that Selena Gomez will host the show... |
MuchMusic.com Most Watched Video | Dynamite | |