Sean Yazbeck and Mika (singer): Difference between pages

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Difference between pages)
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m gen fixes: fix web link format, using AWB
 
 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{otheruses4|the British singer|the Japanese rock singer|Sadistic Mika Band|other uses|Mika}}
{{Infobox Person
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
| image = Replace this image male.svg <!-- Only freely-licensed images may be used to depict living people. See [[WP:NONFREE]]. -->
| Name = Mika
| image_size = 150px |
| Img = Mika at V Festival 2007.jpg
| name = Sean Yazbeck
| Img_size = 200
| caption =
| Background = solo_singer
| birth_date = 1972
| Birth_name = Michael Holbrook Penniman
| birth_place = [[London]], [[England]]
| Alias = Mica Penniman
| death_date =
| Born = {{birth date and age|1983|08|18}}<br><small> [[Beirut]], [[Lebanon]]</small>
| death_place =
| Origin = [[London]] <!-- By convention on Wikipedia, origin refers to where he started his career, not birthplace -->
| occupation = Director of Sales
| Origin country = [[Lebanon]]
| networth =
| Instrument = [[lead vocals|Vocals]], [[keyboards]]
| education = ([[Southampton Solent University]]) with first-class honours
| Genre = [[Pop rock]]<br>[[Powerpop]]<br>[[pop music|Pop]]
| spouse =
| Occupation = [[Musician]], [[singer-songwriter]]
| website = [http://www.seanyazbeck.com SeanYazbeck.com]
| Years_active = 2000–present
| footnotes =
| Label = [[Casablanca Records|Casablanca]], [[Island Records|Island]]
| children =
| URL = [http://www.mikasounds.com/ Mikasounds.com]
}}
}}
Mica Penniman (born [[18 August]] [[1983]]), known as ''Mika'' ({{pronEng|ˈmiːkə}}), is a [[Lebanon|Lebanese-born]], [[London|London-based]], [[Grammy]]-nominated and [[2008 BRIT Awards|BRIT Award]]-winning [[singer-songwriter]], who has a recording contract with [[Casablanca Records]] and [[Universal Music]]. He rose to fame around the end of 2006 and the start of 2007. His birth name is ''Michael Holbrook Penniman''.<ref>{{cite news
'''Sean Yazbeck''' (born 1972 in [[London]], [[England]]) is a businessman, actor, and the winner of the [[The Apprentice 5|fifth season]] (2006) of the [[reality show]], ''[[The Apprentice (US TV Series)|The Apprentice]]'', where candidates compete in several tasks on a 15-week "job interview" for a position in one of billionaire [[Donald Trump]]'s companies. He is the first non-[[United States|American]] to be selected during the run of The Apprentice.
|last = Pareles
|first = Jon |url= http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/31/arts/music/31mika.html
|title = A rising British pop star revives a Mercurial style
|work = [[The New York Times]]
|date = [[2007-03-31]]
|accessdate = 2007-06-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
|url = http://www.spin.com/features/band_of_the_day/2007/03/070327_mika/
|title = Artist of the day: Mika
|work = [[Spin (magazine)|''Spin'']]
|date = [[2007-03-27]]
|accessdate = 2007-06-22}}</ref><ref name="mirror">{{cite news
|last = Mccaffrey
|first = Julie
|coauthors = and Adam Luck
|url = http://www.mirror.co.uk/archive/tm_method=full%26objectid=18545057%26siteid=89520-name_page.html
|title = Mika, Teenage prodigy of the Royal Opera
|work = [[The Daily Mirror]]
|date = [[2007-01-29]]
|accessdate = 2007-06-22}}</ref>


==Early life==
As winner of The Apprentice, Yazbeck was selected by Donald Trump to oversee development of the 5 star hotel condominium, [[Trump International Hotel and Tower (SoHo)]], in New York City’s SoHo district. Since taking over the project in mid-2006, Yazbeck’s role has included overseeing negotiations on all acquisitions and purchases for this $500 million project.
[[Image:Mika playing keyboard at V Festival 2007.JPG|thumb|left|Mika playing keyboard at [[V Festival]] 2007]]
Mika was born in [[Beirut]], [[Lebanon]], the third of five children born to a [[Lebanon|Lebanese]] mother and an American father who was gay.


==Musical career==
As the national TV and Radio Spokesperson for the Trump Institute, Yazbeck worked with the Trump Institute in 2007 on a project to set-up WAVSYS, a national technical recruitment company. As Founder and CEO, WAVSYS leverages Yazbeck’s 12-years of technical recruitment experience, for which he was awarded the EB1 Green Card for "persons of extraordinary ability" in 2005.
Mika was trained by Alla Ardakov (Ablaberdyeva), a [[Russia]]n [[opera]] professional.


In January 2007, Mika was at the top of the [[BBC News website]]'s [[Sound of 2007]] poll.<ref>{{cite news
Yazbeck currently lives in [[New York]] and keeps a home in [[Miami Beach]], [[Florida]].<ref name=NBCBio>NBC staff (2006). [http://apprentice.tv.yahoo.com/trump/05/candidates/sean.html Candidates:Sean - Bio] NBC.com (accessed May 22, 2006).</ref>
|last = Youngs
|first = Ian
|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6230415.stm
|title = Singer Mika tops BBC talent
|publisher = [[BBC News]]
|date = [[2007-01-04]]
|accessdate = 2007-06-22 }}</ref>


[[Image:Mika3.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Mika live in concert]]
==Childhood==
Yazbeck was born and raised in [[London, England]]. His mother is [[Irish people|Irish]] and his father is [[Lebanese people|Lebanese]]. Yazbeck's secondary education was at [[William Ellis School]], a [[comprehensive school]] for boys in [[Highgate]]. He later graduated top of his class at [[Southampton Solent University]], with a first-class honours degree in Media with Cultural Studies.


His first single was a limited 7"/download release called "[[Relax, Take It Easy]]" (2006).
Yazbeck has credited the diversity of cultures in his home town of [[Camden Town]], [[London]] with giving him much of the ability to mirror and adapt to differing people and personalities in business, as on the Apprentice <ref name=TimesOnline>Sunday Times (2006). [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2092-2219970_1,00.html (accessed June 12, 2006)]</ref>


[[Universal Music]] released his single "[[Grace Kelly (song)|Grace Kelly]]" by digital download on [[8 January]] [[2007]], and it reached number one on the [[UK Singles Chart]] on [[21 January]] [[2007]]. The [[Compact Disc|CD]], [[12-inch single|12"]], and limited-edition [[Gramophone record|7"]] versions were released on [[29 January]] [[2007]]. The release features remixes by Tom Neville, Bimbo Jones, Linus Loves, and [[Pull Tiger Tail]].
==Acting==
In addition to his other work, Yazbeck has acted since he was a child and is a member of the [[Screen Actors Guild]]. It was whilst attending Sylvia Young's Theatre School in London that he made his acting debut at the age of 14 on the [[BBC]] soap opera, ''[[EastEnders]]'' (1985). He later played the lead role in the film [[Night Shift (film 2002)|''Night Shift'']] (2002) which won awards at The Made in Miami Film Festival (2002) and The Palm Beach International Film Festival (2002). His appearance on The Apprentice led to Jeffrey Katzenberg casting Yazbeck in the role of BBQ Barry in the Dreamworks film ''[[Over the Hedge (film)|Over the Hedge]]''.


Produced and mixed by [[Greg Wells]] in [[Los Angeles]], with two songs co-produced by Jodi Marr and John Merchant, Mika's début album ''[[Life in Cartoon Motion]]'' was released on [[5 February]] [[2007]], and has brought comparison with artists such as [[Freddie Mercury]],<ref>{{cite news
Since appearing on The Apprentice, Yazbeck has hosted his own show [["Reality Trailblazers"]] on the [[TV Guide Channel]] and has appeared on numerous shows such as [[Miss Universe]], [[MTV Video Music Awards]], [[Live with Regis and Kelly]], [[1 vs. 100]], [[Soap Talk]], [[Identity]] and [[From G's to Gents]].
|url = http://www.metro.co.uk/fame/article.html?in_article_id=34500&in_page_id=7&in_a_source=
|title = Mika uses Freddie's piano?
|publisher = [[Metro (Associated Metro Limited)|''Metro'']]
|date = [[2007-01-24]]
|accessdate = 2007-06-22 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news
|last = Jones
|first = Emma
|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6231243.stm
|title = Sound of 2007: Mika
|publisher = [[BBC News]]
|date = [[2007-01-05]]
|accessdate = 2007-06-22 }}</ref> [[Scissor Sisters]],<ref>{{cite news
|last = Sullivan
|first = Caroline
|url = http://music.guardian.co.uk/live/story/0,,1965870,00.html
|title = Mika
|work = [[The Guardian]]
|date = [[2006-12-07]]
|accessdate = 2007-06-22 }}</ref> [[Elton John]],<ref>{{cite news
|last = Bray
|first = Elisa
|url = http://arts.independent.co.uk/music/reviews/article2316598.ece
|title = V is for victory - and for virtuoso
|work = [[The Independent]]
|date = [[2007-03-01]]
|accessdate = 2007-06-22 }}</ref> [[Prince (musician)|Prince]],<ref>{{cite news
|last = Phares
|first = Heather
|url = http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:0cfexqrsld6e
|title = Mika
|work = [[AllMusic]]
|date = N/A
|accessdate = 2008-05-12 }}</ref> [[Robbie Williams]]<ref name=belfast>{{cite news
|title = Introducing the sound of 2007: Mika
|url = http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/music-gigs/features/article2178632.ece
|work = [[The Belfast Telegraph]]
|date = [[2007-01-23]]
|accessdate = 2007-03-20 }}</ref> and [[David Bowie]].<ref name=belfast/>


He was the musical act for ''[[The Tonight Show with Jay Leno]]'' on [[26 March]] [[2007]]<ref>{{cite episode
==Career==
|title = Episode 16.142
In 2005, Yazbeck was awarded the title of "Person of Extraordinary Ability" by the US government for "international acclaim for extraordinary ability" in technical recruitment.
|series = The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
|serieslink = The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
|network = [[NBC]]
|airdate=2007-03-26
|season = 16
|number = 142
|url = http://tv.yahoo.com/the-tonight-show-with-jay-leno/show/episode/127700 }}</ref> and [[14 February]] [[2008]] and for ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live]]'' on [[27 March]] [[2007]].<ref>{{cite episode
|title = Episode 5.111
|series = Jimmy Kimmel Live
|serieslink = Jimmy Kimmel Live
|network = [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
|airdate=2007-03-27
|season = 5
|number = 111
|url = http://tv.yahoo.com/jimmy-kimmel-live/show/episode/127871 }}</ref>


Mika toured the United States and Canada in June 2007, with support from [[Sara Bareilles]] and [[Natalia Lesz]].
The "exceptional delivery" of staffing solutions was to the following projects:


In 2007, Mika won three awards, the most of any artist, at the [[World Music Awards]].
[[Ericsson]] (1996-2002)
USA, UK, Russia, China, Mexico, USA, South Korea, Italy, Puerto Rico, Canada


In September 2007, Mika began his Dodgy Holiday Tour, playing at venues across Europe.
[[Nokia]] (1996-2002)
UK, USA, France, Germany, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Israel Venezuela, Colombia, Ireland


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.
[[Orange SA]] (1997-1999)
UK, Switzerland


On 20 February 2008, Mika opened the [[2008 BRIT Awards]] with a live performance of "[[Love Today]]," "[[Grace Kelly (Mika song)|Grace Kelly]]," and a duet, [[Standing in the Way of Control (song)|"Standing in the Way of Control]]," with [[Beth Ditto]].
Viag Interkom ([[Telefónica O2]])(1997-1999)
Germany


==Personal life==
[[Nortel Networks]] (1997-2002)
[[Image:Mika Glastonbury.jpg|thumb|275px|Mika at the 2007 [[Glastonbury Festival]]]]
USA, Germany, Brazil


Mika comes from a family of three girls and two boys. He has one younger brother and one younger sister along with two older sisters.<ref>{{cite news
[[Lucent Technologies]] (1997-2002)
|last = Grew
USA, UK, Mexico, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan
|first = Tony
|title = Brit pop star won't say which way he swings
|url= http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-3553.html
|publisher = [[Pink News]]
|date= [[2007-01-24]]
|accessdate = 2007-06-22 }}</ref>
"<ref>{{cite news
|last = Adams
|first = Cameron
|url = http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21387352-2902,00.html
|title = Cartoon hero
|work = [[Herald Sun]]
|date = [[2007-03-15]]
|accessdate=2007-04-06 }}</ref> " <ref>{{cite news
|last = Krochmal
|first = Shana Naomi
|url = http://www.out.com/detail.asp?page=1&id=23440
|title = Mika's Second Verse (Same As The First?)
|work = [[Out (magazine)]]
|date = [[2008-01-28]]
|accessdate =2008-02-15 }}</ref>


==Discography==
Sony Mobile R&D ([[Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications]])(1997-1999)
{{main|Mika discography}}
Germany
===2007===
*''[[Life In Cartoon Motion]]''


==Awards==
[[Siemens AG]] (1998-2002)
===2007===
USA, Germany, Lebanon
*[[World Music Awards]]
**Best-Selling New Artist -- '''Won'''
**Best-Selling Male Pop/Rock Artist -- '''Won'''
**Best-Selling British Artist -- '''Won'''


*[[MTV Europe Music Awards 2007]]
[[Qualcomm]] (1999-2001)
**Best Solo Artist -- Nominated
USA, Russia, China, Mexico, USA, South Korea, Brazil
**Best Track - "[[Grace Kelly (song)|Grace Kelly]]" -- Nominated


*[[Q Awards]]
France Telecom Mobile (1998-1999)
**Best Breakthrough Artist -- Nominated
France, Egypt, Portugal


*[[Vodafone]] Live Awards
[[Motorola]] (1999-2006)
**Best Male Artist -- '''Won'''
USA, Brazil


*UK Festival Awards
[[Cingular Wireless]] (2003-2006)
**Best Festival Pop Act -- Nominated
USA


*BT Digital Music Awards
[[T-Mobile]] (2003-2006)
**Best Pop Act -- Nominated
USA


*Premios Principales
[[Verizon Wireless]] (2003-2006)
**Best International Non-Spanish Language Artist -- Nominated
USA
**Best International Non-Spanish Language Song - "[[Grace Kelly (song)|Grace Kelly]]" -- Nominated


*[[The Record of the Year]] (UK) 2007
==Apprentice Season 5==
**"[[Grace Kelly (song)|Grace Kelly]]" -- Nominated
Yazbeck was unbeaten as Project Manager and was chosen by Donald Trump to be the next Apprentice during the show's live finale in Los Angeles. According to Trump, Sean overwhelmingly won the national vote, the first ever conducted for an Apprentice finale.


*[[Virgin Media]] Awards
In Week 1 ([[Sam's Club]]), Yazbeck's salesmanship amazed his teammates. This was an important contribution to the team's win, as the opposing team lost by just 3 memberships.
**Best Track -- "[[Grace Kelly (song)|Grace Kelly]]" -- Nominated
**Best British Act -- Nominated
**Best Male Artist -- Nominated


===2008===
In many tasks, Yazbeck was hard-working and often involved in late night work. This strategy played a major role in the win for Week 10’s [[Hair Cuttery]] event, where a major factor in the win was the attendance of Synergy’s event as compared to that of the opposing team.
*The [[50th Grammy Awards]]
**Best Dance Recording - "[[Love Today]]" -- Nominated


*[[2008 BRIT Awards]]
In Week 13 ([[Embassy Suites]]), Yazbeck's opponent in the finale of the Apprentice, [[Lee Bienstock]], served as the project manager. Bienstock's win in this task was partially attributed to Bienstock heeding Yazbeck’s fashion sense. One of the judges, [[Ivanka Trump]], a former [[fashion model]], stated that even she learned things about fashion from Sean.
**British Male Solo Artist -- Nominated
**British Album - "[[Life in Cartoon Motion]]" -- Nominated
**British Single - "[[Grace Kelly (song)|Grace Kelly]]" -- Nominated
**British Breakthrough Act -- '''Won'''


*[[NRJ Music Awards]]
In the final task, Yazbeck was chosen to oversee a [[Barenaked Ladies]] charity concert, sponsored by [[Pontiac]], to benefit the [[WWF (conservation organization)|World Wildlife Fund]]. The judges felt that his choice of teammates and amount of pre-planning was impressive. In a touch that was appreciated by Trump when contrasted with this opponent's failure to do the same in his task, Yazbeck was able to meet Trump’s helicopter, a difficult feat in the context of the overwhelming nature of these final tasks.
**International Revelation of the Year -- '''Won'''
**International Song of the Year - "[[Relax, Take It Easy]]" -- Nominated
**International Album of the Year -- Nominated
**Music Video of the Year - "[[Relax, Take It Easy]]" -- Nominated


*Swiss Music Awards
For winning the final task and being "hired" as Trump's Apprentice, Sean chose to oversee the [[Trump International Hotel and Tower (SoHo)]], with a starting contract time of one year and a yearly salary exceeding [[USD|$]]250,000. He is currently their Director of Sales. He was also given an immediate reward for being hired by Trump--a new [[Pontiac G6]] Hardtop Convertible, mirroring [[Kendra Todd]]'s reward of a [[Pontiac Solstice]].
**Best International Newcomer -- Nominated


*[[ECHO (music award)|ECHO Awards]]
==Post-Apprentice==
**Best International Male Artist -- Nominated
In reference to his charity work with Voices for Children, on [[January 9]], [[2008]] the Governor of Kentucky, [[Steve Beshear]], bestowed the honorary title of “Kentucky Colonel” on Sean Yazbeck “in recognition of noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to the nation”
**Best International Newcomer -- '''Won'''
On [[June 20]], [[2006]], the Mayor of Miami Dade County, [[Carlos Alvarez]], proclaimed that day as "Sean Yazbeck Day" in Miami-Dade County.


*Capital Awards
Since winning The Apprentice, Yazbeck has returned as boardroom judge on [[The Apprentice 6]] (2007) and has hosted his own show "[[Reality Trailblazers]]" on the [[TV Guide Channel]]. He has also appeared on numerous shows such as [[Miss Universe]] (as a judge), [[Live with Regis and Kelly]], [[1 vs. 100]], [[Soap Talk]], [[Identity]] and MTV's [[From G's to Gents]].
**Best British Male Artist -- '''Won'''
**Best British Album - "[[Life in Cartoon Motion]]" -- '''Won'''


*Amadeus Awards (Austrian Music Awards)
He is currently the national TV and Radio Spokesperson for the [[Trump Institute]] and he is also a lecturer at the [[Trump University]].
**Best International Single - "[[Grace Kelly (song)|Grace Kelly]]" -- Nominated


*[[MTV Video Music Awards Japan]]
He is also working on building his own company named "Wavsys"
**Best New Artist Video - "[[Grace Kelly (song)|Grace Kelly]]" -- Nominated


*[[MTV Australia Video Music Awards]]
==See also==
**Video of the Year - "[[Happy Ending (song)|Happy Ending]]" -- Nominated
*[[The Apprentice (US TV Series)|The Apprentice]]
*[[The Apprentice (US Season 5)|The Apprentice 5]]


*[[TRL Awards (Italy)]]
==Footnotes==
**Man of the Year -- Nominated
{{reflist}}


*[[Ivor Novello Awards]]
==External links==
**Best Selling British Song - "[[Grace Kelly (song)|Grace Kelly]]" -- Nominated
* {{imdb name|id=1579618|name=Sean Yazbeck}}
**Songwriter of the Year -- '''Won'''
* {{tvtome person|id=445127}}
* [http://apprentice.tv.yahoo.com/trump/05/candidates/sean.html The Apprentice Yahoo! Bio]
* [http://www.nbc.com/The_Apprentice_5/candidates/bio_sean.shtml The Apprentice NBC Bio]
* [http://www.trumpuniversity.com/company/faculty.cfm#YazbeckSean Sean Yazbeck's Faculty Bio at Trump University]
* [http://www.nbc.com/The_Apprentice_6/where_are_they_now/sean.shtml ''The Apprentice - Where Are They Now?'' at NBC.com]
* [http://wavsys.com/ Wavsys Website (underconstruction)]


*[[Nickelodeon UK]] Kids' Choice Awards
{{start box}}
**Best Male Singer -- Nominated
{{succession box|title=''[[The Apprentice (US TV Series)|The Apprentice Winners]]''|before=[[Randal Pinkett]]|after=[[Stefani Schaeffer]]|years=[[The Apprentice 5|Season 5]]}}
{{end box}}


*[[MTV Asia Awards]]
{{The Apprentice}}
**Favorite Breakthrough Artist -- Nominated

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Commonscat|Mika}}
*[http://www.mikasounds.com Mika's official website]
*{{myspace|mikamyspace|Mika}}
*[http://yalibnan.com/site/tv/music_videos/mika/ Mika Music Videos]
*[http://www.out.com/detail.asp?id=22629 Pop’s New Queen] July 2007 ''[[Out (magazine)|Out]]'' magazine story on [[Mika (singer)|Mika]]
*[http://www.icebergradio.com/mika Audio interview] recorded on March 2007 in Toronto, Canada
*[http://www.giglovers.com/band/Mika Upcoming Tour Dates]
*[http://www.soundfires.com/reviews/20 Soundfires.com] Review of Grace Kelly
*{{MusicBrainz artist|id=8a9ac1cb-faae-434e-8d60-b139a3707dfc|name=Mika}}
{{Mika}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Yazbeck, Sean}}
[[Category:The Apprentice 5 candidates]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Reality show winners]]
[[Category:1983 births]]
[[Category:1972 births]]
[[Category:Alumni of the Royal College of Music]]
[[Category:People from London]]
[[Category:British male singers]]
[[Category:British businesspeople]]
[[Category:People from Miami, Florida]]
[[Category:Alumni of Southampton Solent University]]
[[Category:Participants in American reality television series]]
[[Category:British expatriates in the United States]]
[[Category:The Apprentice US contestants]]
[[Category:British people of Lebanese descent]]
[[Category:British people of Lebanese descent]]
[[Category:British people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:Falsettos]]
[[Category:Ivor Novello Award winners]]
[[Category:Lebanese singers]]
[[Category:Old Westminsters]]
[[Category:People from Beirut]]


[[de:Sean Yazbeck]]
[[ar:ميكا (فنان)]]
[[bg:Мика]]
[[ca:Mika Penniman]]
[[cs:Mika]]
[[da:Mika (sanger)]]
[[de:Mika (Musiker)]]
[[et:Mika]]
[[el:Mika]]
[[es:Mika (cantante)]]
[[fr:Mika (chanteur)]]
[[ko:미카 (가수)]]
[[hr:Mika]]
[[it:Mika]]
[[he:מיקה (זמר)]]
[[ka:მიკა (მომღერალი)]]
[[lt:Mika]]
[[hu:Mika]]
[[nl:Mika]]
[[ja:Mika (歌手)]]
[[no:Mika]]
[[nn:Artisten Mika]]
[[pl:Mika (muzyk)]]
[[pt:Mika]]
[[ro:Mika]]
[[ru:Мика]]
[[sr:Mika]]
[[fi:Mika (laulaja)]]
[[sq:Mika]]
[[sv:Mika (sångare)]]
[[th:มิคา]]
[[tr:Mika (şarkıcı)]]
[[uk:Міка]]
[[zh:米卡 (歌手)]]

Revision as of 12:59, 10 October 2008

This article is about the British singer. For the Japanese rock singer, see Sadistic Mika Band. For other uses, see Mika.
Mika

Mica Penniman (born 18 August 1983), known as Mika (Template:PronEng), is a Lebanese-born, London-based, Grammy-nominated and BRIT Award-winning singer-songwriter, who has a recording contract with Casablanca Records and Universal Music. He rose to fame around the end of 2006 and the start of 2007. His birth name is Michael Holbrook Penniman.[1][2][3]

Early life

Mika playing keyboard at V Festival 2007

Mika was born in Beirut, Lebanon, the third of five children born to a Lebanese mother and an American father who was gay.

Musical career

Mika was trained by Alla Ardakov (Ablaberdyeva), a Russian opera professional.

In January 2007, Mika was at the top of the BBC News website's Sound of 2007 poll.[4]

Mika live in concert

His first single was a limited 7"/download release called "Relax, Take It Easy" (2006).

Universal Music released his single "Grace Kelly" by digital download on 8 January 2007, and it reached number one on the UK Singles Chart on 21 January 2007. The CD, 12", and limited-edition 7" versions were released on 29 January 2007. The release features remixes by Tom Neville, Bimbo Jones, Linus Loves, and Pull Tiger Tail.

Produced and mixed by Greg Wells in Los Angeles, with two songs co-produced by Jodi Marr and John Merchant, Mika's début album Life in Cartoon Motion was released on 5 February 2007, and has brought comparison with artists such as Freddie Mercury,[5][6] Scissor Sisters,[7] Elton John,[8] Prince,[9] Robbie Williams[10] and David Bowie.[10]

He was the musical act for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on 26 March 2007[11] and 14 February 2008 and for Jimmy Kimmel Live on 27 March 2007.[12]

Mika toured the United States and Canada in June 2007, with support from Sara Bareilles and Natalia Lesz.

In 2007, Mika won three awards, the most of any artist, at the World Music Awards.

In September 2007, Mika began his Dodgy Holiday Tour, playing at venues across Europe.

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.

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.

Personal life

Mika at the 2007 Glastonbury Festival

Mika comes from a family of three girls and two boys. He has one younger brother and one younger sister along with two older sisters.[13] "[14] " [15]

Discography

Main article: Mika discography

2007

Awards

2007

  • World Music Awards
    • Best-Selling New Artist -- Won
    • Best-Selling Male Pop/Rock Artist -- Won
    • Best-Selling British Artist -- Won
  • Q Awards
    • Best Breakthrough Artist -- Nominated
  • Vodafone Live Awards
    • Best Male Artist -- Won
  • UK Festival Awards
    • Best Festival Pop Act -- Nominated
  • BT Digital Music Awards
    • Best Pop Act -- Nominated
  • Premios Principales
    • Best International Non-Spanish Language Artist -- Nominated
    • Best International Non-Spanish Language Song - "Grace Kelly" -- Nominated
  • Virgin Media Awards
    • Best Track -- "Grace Kelly" -- Nominated
    • Best British Act -- Nominated
    • Best Male Artist -- Nominated

2008

  • Swiss Music Awards
    • Best International Newcomer -- Nominated
  • ECHO Awards
    • Best International Male Artist -- Nominated
    • Best International Newcomer -- Won
  • Amadeus Awards (Austrian Music Awards)

References

  1. ^ Pareles, Jon (2007-03-31). "A rising British pop star revives a Mercurial style". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-06-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ "Artist of the day: Mika". Spin. 2007-03-27. Retrieved 2007-06-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  3. ^ Mccaffrey, Julie (2007-01-29). "Mika, Teenage prodigy of the Royal Opera". The Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2007-06-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ Youngs, Ian (2007-01-04). "Singer Mika tops BBC talent". BBC News. Retrieved 2007-06-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ "Mika uses Freddie's piano?". Metro. 2007-01-24. Retrieved 2007-06-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  6. ^ Jones, Emma (2007-01-05). "Sound of 2007: Mika". BBC News. Retrieved 2007-06-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ Sullivan, Caroline (2006-12-07). "Mika". The Guardian. Retrieved 2007-06-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ Bray, Elisa (2007-03-01). "V is for victory - and for virtuoso". The Independent. Retrieved 2007-06-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ Phares, Heather (N/A). "Mika". AllMusic. Retrieved 2008-05-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ a b "Introducing the sound of 2007: Mika". The Belfast Telegraph. 2007-01-23. Retrieved 2007-03-20. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ "Episode 16.142". The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Season 16. Episode 142. 2007-03-26. NBC. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ "Episode 5.111". Jimmy Kimmel Live. Season 5. Episode 111. 2007-03-27. ABC. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ Grew, Tony (2007-01-24). "Brit pop star won't say which way he swings". Pink News. Retrieved 2007-06-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ Adams, Cameron (2007-03-15). "Cartoon hero". Herald Sun. Retrieved 2007-04-06. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ Krochmal, Shana Naomi (2008-01-28). "Mika's Second Verse (Same As The First?)". Out (magazine). Retrieved 2008-02-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mika.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sean_Yazbeck&oldid=244362222"