Taio Cruz
Taio Cruz |
|---|
Taio Cruz (Pronounced Ty-O-Cruise) is a Nigerian British, producer, songwriter, singer and performing artist.
Biography
Taio Cruz was born on April 23, 1985 to a Nigerian father and Brazilian mother, and raised in London, England. He attended a school in rural Sussex, and then attended Stanmore college in London. His love for music was evident from his school days and particularly college days, where he began taking his productions and recordings more seriously. Cruz is the founder and C.E.O. of Rokstarr Music London, which in 2006 released his debut single "I Just Wanna Know". Also in 2006, he signed a joint-venture partnership deal with UMusic Companies, Republic Records and Island Records.[2]
In the UK, Cruz has worked with Omar, Nitin Sawhney, Wookie and Will Young. The song "Your Game", co-written by Taio with Will Young and Blair MacKichan, went multi-platinum and won Best British Single at the Brit Awards.
His album entitled Departure was released in the UK on March 17, 2008. He has so far released 5 singles from the album. Having written, arranged, performed and produced the album himself, he is currently working on new music for Britney Spears, Sugababes, Letoya Luckett, Brandy, Justin Timberlake and The Pussycat Dolls.
Simon Cowell has hired Taio Cruz to write and produce tracks for Leona Lewis and Shayne Ward.[3]Proving how in demand he is, Cruz is currently in Philadelphia working with US producer Jim Beanz, on new music for Britney, Brandy and Justin Timberlake. Taio has also been asked to write for Anastacia’s anticipated next album and to contribute to the Sugababes’ next album.[4]
Discography
Albums
| Year | Statistics | Singles |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Departure
|
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart positions [5] | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | IRE | |||
| 2006 | "I Just Wanna Know" | |||
| 2007 | "Moving On" | |||
| 2008 | "Come On Girl" (featuring Luciana) | |||
| "I Can Be" | ||||
| "She's Like a Star" | ||||
| "I Just Wanna Know (re-release)" | ||||
Production & Writing Credits
- Nitin Sawhney - "Rainfall" (Featuring Taio Cruz)
- Vawn - "Let Me See Dat" (Featuring Taio Cruz) Produced by Taio "Rokstarr" Cruz
- Will Young - "Your Game"
- Shayne Ward - TBA[6]
References
- ^ : Taio Cruz :
- ^ : Taio Cruz :... Bio
- ^ Simon Cowell reckons Leona Lewis' producer Taio Cruz is the next Mark Ronson - mirror.co.uk
- ^ The X Factor - Taio Cruz: Talent Shows Make Record Labels Lazy
- ^ The Official UK Charts Company
- ^ I'll make Britney Spears a hit again, vows British producer Taio Cruz - The Sunday Mail