Taio Cruz

Artist Image: Taio Cruz
Attribution
Image Credit: Musikshun~commonswiki (Own work), CC BY-SA 4.0

Biography

Jacob Taio Cruz (born 23 April 1985), known professionally as Taio Cruz, (Portuguese: ) is a British singer-songwriter, record producer, occasional rapper, and entrepreneur. In 2008, he released his debut album Departure, which he wrote, arranged and produced himself. It achieved initial success in the United Kingdom 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. Cruz's third studio album, TY.O, was first released in Germany in December 2011. In 2012 Cruz co-wrote the song "Without You", giving David Guetta his first U.S. number 1 and adding to Cruz's hit streak with his 3rd number 1 song in the U.S. Cruz was born in London, England, to a Nigerian father and a Brazilian mother. He attended Bilton Grange, a private prep school in Rugby, Warwickshire. Cruz began writing songs when he was 12. His songwriting career began at age 19 as part of Tricky Stewart'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 Monte Lipman, who, 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.

Details

Item Name Item Details
Year Formed 1983
Number of Albums 29
Record Label
Website www.taiocruzmusic.co.uk
Wikipedia Taio Cruz on Wikipedia
Social Networks

Trivia

In what year did Cruz release his debut album?

2008

...In 2008 , he released his debut album Departure, which he wrote, arranged and produced. The album achieved certified gold status in the United Kingdom ...
What was Cruz's first album called?

Departure

...In 2008, he released his debut album Departure , which he wrote, arranged and produced. The album achieved certified gold status in the United Kingdom ...
In what country was Departure certified gold?

United Kingdom

...anged and produced. The album achieved certified gold status in the United Kingdom and earned him a Music of Black Origin Awards (MOBO) nomination. In...
Which album did Cruz follow up with in 2009?

Rokstarr

...s (MOBO) nomination. In October 2009, Cruz released his followup album Rokstarr , which includes the number one singles Break Your Heart and Dynamite. ...
What number one singles does Cruz have on his next album Rokstarr?

Break Your Heart and Dynamite

...llowup album Rokstarr, which includes the number one singles Break Your Heart and Dynamite . Cruz wrote and recorded the song Telling the World as the ...
Telling the World was the lead single from what film?

Rio

...he World as the lead single from the soundtrack to the 2011 animated film Rio . In April 2015, Cruz released the first single, Do What You Like from hi...
When was Cruz born?

London

...raphy edit Early life and career edit Cruz was born on 23 April 1980 in London to a Nigerian father and a Brazilian mother. He attended Christ's Hospi...
What is the name of the boarding school Cruz attended?

Christ's Hospital

...in London to a Nigerian father and a Brazilian mother. He attended Christ's Hospital , a private boarding school in Horsham, West Sussex, before reloca...
When did Cruz sign a split single deal with Universal Music Group?

2006

... Stanmore College. The single charted at 29 in the UK singles charts. In 2006 , Cruz signed a split single deal with Universal Music Group companies, R...
What was Cruz's second single called?

Moving On

...the UK branch of Island Records. 200708: Departure edit In September 2007, Cruz released his second single Moving On , which made the top 30 in the UK....
Where was Jacob Taio Cruz born and bred?

London, England

...Biography Born and bred in London, England , Jacob Taio Cruz (Pronounced as Tie O) began his musical journey at a very early age. With a gifted singing...
How old was Taio when he landed a publishing deal?

17

...music gained attention. He quickly landed a publishing deal at the age of 17 after a Def Jam A&R, who was dating one of Taios female friends, overhear...
Who was Def Jam A&R dating at the time?

one of Taios female friends

...ing deal at the age of 17 after a Def Jam A&R, who was dating one of Taios female friends , overheard one of Taios demos playing in the background whil...
What did he hear playing in the background while on a phone call to his girlfriend?

one of Taios demos

...ef Jam A&R, who was dating one of Taios female friends, overheard one of Taios demos playing in the background whilst on a phone call to his girlfrien...
In what country was the album Departure certified Gold?

UK

...um, Departure. The album Departure, achieved certified Gold status in the UK , was nominated for various awards, and was the winner of the ASCAP Vangua...
Which single was a worldwide hit?

Break Your Heart

...med after his sunglasses brand of the same name). The first single Break Your Heart became a worldwide smash hit, reaching number 1 on the charts in n...
Break Your Heart reached what number on the charts in numerous countries?

number 1

.... The first single Break Your Heart became a worldwide smash hit, reaching number 1 on the charts in numerous countries including both the UK and USA....
When was Taio Cruz born?

23rd April 1985

...pic Games in Landon. Early life and education Taio Cruz was born on 23rd April 1985 . His father is Nigerian born English while his mother is of Brazil...
What is his father's nationality?

Nigerian

...ife and education Taio Cruz was born on 23rd April 1985. His father is Nigerian born English while his mother is of Brazilian roots. He began his educ...
Where did Taio begin his education?

Bilton Grange prep school

...le his mother is of Brazilian roots. He began his education at Bilton Grange prep school before moving to Christ's Hospital school, a boarding school ...
Where was Christ's Hospital school located?

Horsham, West Sussex

... before moving to Christ's Hospital school, a boarding school at Horsham, West Sussex . After school, Cruz started focusing on his musical career. His ...
What was Cruz's initial focus after school?

singing

...l, Cruz started focusing on his musical career. His focus initially was singing , but he later shifted his into writing music Career Taio Cruz's career...
Who did Cruz miss the chance to record?

Rihannas Umbrella

...ut album Departure. Cruz's star continued to shine so as his growth in music. Reports say Cruz narrowly missed the chance to record Rihannas Umbrella ....
What are two of Taio Cruz's best known songs?

'Break Your Heart' and 'Dynamite'.

...roducer and rapper from London whose best known songs are 'Break Your Heart' and 'Dynamite'. Musical career: Taio Cruz's career began as part of RedZo...
When was 'Rokstarr' released?

2009

...on his single 'Take Me Back' and released his second album 'Rokstarr' in 2009 . Brit Award nominated lead single 'Break Your Heart' ft. Ludacris topped...
Who did Pitbull collaborate with on 'Little Bad Girl'?

David Guetta and Ludacris

...ature the song 'Hangover' ft. Flo Rida. He also teamed up with David Guetta and Ludacris on the Platinum hit 'Little Bad Girl'. He coheadlined the Aus...
In what year was Pitbull's Planet Pit World Tour?

2012

...e coheadlined the Australian dates of Pitbull's Planet Pit World Tour in 2012 , and he played a show at the Summer Olympics in London's closing ceremon...
When did he release his next album 'BLACK'?

2015

...eremony. In 2013, he announced the release of his next album 'BLACK' for 2015 featuring single 'Do What You Like'. Other career ventures: Taio Cruz la...
What is the name of the social media app launched by Taio Cruz?

Kewe

...of his next album 'BLACK' for 2015 featuring single 'Do What You Like'. Other career ventures: Taio Cruz launched an iOS social media app called Kewe ....
What was the lead single from the 2011 animated film Rio?

Telling the World

...es Break Your Heart and Dynamite. Cruz wrote and recorded the song Telling the World as the lead single from the soundtrack to the 2011 animated film ...
When did Cruz release his first single, Do What You Like?

April 2015

...the lead single from the soundtrack to the 2011 animated film Rio. In April 2015 , Cruz released the first single, Do What You Like from his forthcomin...
What was the name of the first single from his forthcoming Roses Collection?

Do What You Like

... animated film Rio. In April 2015, Cruz released the first single, Do What You Like from his forthcoming Roses Collection. In late 2015, Taio added vo...
When did Cruz win a Brit Award?

2005

...t's writing collective, RedZone Entertainment and achieved notability in 2005 when he was awarded a Brit Award for cowriting Will Young's 2004 single,...
What award did he receive for cowriting Will Young's 2004 single?

Brit Award

...e Entertainment and achieved notability in 2005 when he was awarded a Brit Award for cowriting Will Young's 2004 single, Your Game. The single charted...
What was the name of the song he co-wrote with Will Young in 2004?

Your Game

...ability in 2005 when he was awarded a Brit Award for cowriting Will Young's 2004 single, Your Game . The single charted at 29 in the UK singles charts....
How many UK singles charted Your Game?

29

...ability in 2005 when he was awarded a Brit Award for cowriting Will Young's 2004 single, Your Game. The single charted at 29 in the UK singles charts....
In what year did Rokstarr reach international success?

2010

...album, Rokstarr, catapulted him to international charttopping success in 2010 with its smash hit singles Break Your Heart and Dynamite. Born on April ...
Who was Cruz' mother?

Brazilian

... Born on April 23, 1980, in London, England to a Nigerian father and a Brazilian mother, he went to school in Rugby, Warwickshire, West Midlands. Init...
Where did he go to school?

Rugby, Warwickshire, West Midlands

...erian father and a Brazilian mother, he went to school in Rugby, Warwickshire, West Midlands . Initially released by his own label, Rokstarr Music Lond...
What was Rokstarr Music London renamed to after it was released?

Rokstarr Entertainment Division

...ased by his own label, Rokstarr Music London (later renamed Rokstarr Entertainment Division ), the song earned him a majorlabel recording contract with...
Which two singles from his 2008 album hit the Top Five?

Moving On and Come on Girl

...g contract with Island Records. Following a few more singles, Moving On and Come on Girl , the latter of which hit the Top Five, Cruz made his fullleng...
Who was the co-writer of Rokstarr?

Fraser T. Smith

...en. Produced and written in collaboration with fellow U.K. hitmaker Fraser T. Smith , Rokstarr was rereleased internationally in 2010 with the addition...
What was the name of the Dr. Luke production that topped the charts in a halfdozen different countries?

Dynamite

..., Rokstarr was rereleased internationally in 2010 with the addition of Dynamite , a Dr. Luke production that topped the charts in a halfdozen different...
What was the name of the partyanthem single that was particularly successful across Europe?

Troublemaker

...SCAP awards.) The partyanthem singles Hangover (featuring Flo Rida), Troublemaker , and There She Goes (featuring Pitbull) were particularly successful...
How many territories did the second of the trio reach the Top 10 in?

four

...y successful across Europe; the second of the trio reached the Top 10 in four territories, including the U.K. It wasn't until April 2015 that he relea...
Where did Cruz go to school?

rural Sussex

...He went to a school in rural Sussex and developed a love for the Eighties popdance of Madonna and Michael Jackson. In music classes, he chose to spend...
How old was Cruz when he signed the publishing deal?

18

...ars resulting in him prestigiously signing a U.S. publishing deal at just 18 years old. Dubbed as a tossup between Babyface, Justin Timberlake and Joh...
Timberlake decided to try his hand at what business?

fashion

...ongs for other artists and making his own, he opted to try his hands at fashion business. He launched a fashion label called Rokstarr, which focused o...
Who were some of the stars that wore his brand?

Shontelle, Keri Hilson and Kelly Rowland

...r, which focused on sunglasses, in 2009. Such stars as Shontelle, Keri Hilson and Kelly Rowland have been seen wearing his brand. He dropped another e...
When did he drop a second effort called Rok Starr?

May 18, 2010

... stars as Shontelle, Keri Hilson and Kelly Rowland have been seen wearing his brand. He dropped another effort, again titled Rokstarr on May 18, 2010 ....
What was Rok starr focused on?

sunglasses

...siness. He launched a fashion label called Rokstarr, which focused on sunglasses , in 2009. Such stars as Shontelle, Keri Hilson and Kelly Rowland have...