After
working and living in America where he has honed his myriad skills and landed a
joint venture deal with Universal Records UK and the legendary Motown Records
in the States, 23 year-old Londoner Taio Cruz is ready to step out on his
own with the release on November 6th of "I Just Wanna Know". A joint
venture deal was quickly agreed and the record is set for a simultaneous release
in the US and UK. As a producer, writer and performer Taio has worked with and written for numerous artists, producers and writers, including, in the US, Mya, Usher, Red Zone, Dallas Austin, Shae Taylor, Rich Harrison and Jazze Pha, and in the UK, Omar, Nitin Sawhney, Wookie and Will Young. In fact the song “Your Game", written by Taio for Will Young, not only went multi-platinum, but also won Best British Single at the Brit Awards.
How does it feel to finally sing your own songs and release your own material?
I’m feeling good, very good. It’s good to have set up my own record company, it’s good to have my own production out there and have my voice on radio alongside my video on TV. It’s all pretty good!
Why was I Just Wanna Know chosen as your debut single?
I put it up on MySpace and showed it around and got a bunch of comments back to me saying that they really loved the song and wondering when it would be released. Amazingly, Kiss played it and then it got passed around radio stations in the UK and got picked up in America. I was then flown out to America because they really liked the track and I was then offered my record deal which is when it all started with the single.
How have you been received in America so far?
It’s been going really well. I’ve already been a producer and writer over there and have worked with many artists in America. Working with people like Dallas Austin and on albums like Usher’s and Mya’s have helped me to earn respect from some industry people.
How did you end up working with artists like Usher and Mya?
I've always geared my music towards America and the American sound because that's what I've been inspired by all my life. I've dreamed of being in America just like an actor would dream of being in Hollywood. I met up with the right people and it took off from there.
What would you say to people that don't know who Taio Cruz is?
If you don't know who he is now, you will definitely know who he is very soon. I'm a producer, singer and songwriter and creative with what I do. I'm in the vein of Scott Storch and Timbaland. Musically you'll hear a lot of cool vibes and vocally I was taught by the greatest people on my headphones like Mariah Carey and Michael Jackson. Taio Cruz is a combination of some up tempo, crazy, cool music.
What about the people who think that you being in America so much makes you a sell out since you're originally from the UK?
I know where they're coming from; I have friends who don't like it when anyone British goes over to America. It's not selling out to go to the place where music like R&B and hip hop comes from. If you're an actor, going to Hollywood doesn't make you a sell out. By conquering America, which is what I want to do, will help to focus Americans on the talent we have in the UK. Were Floetry sell outs? No, I don't think so. I don't think Taio Cruz is selling out by going to America either!
Do you think you can live up the title of 'a modern day Babyface'?
I always find it very flattering when people compare me to their favourite artist because that means they like my sound and what I do. A lot of people compare me to Ne-Yo and Usher, and then some compare me to Babyface. I take it as a compliment but I don't think it's something I have to live up to, I just appreciate it.
Some people are good at one thing, for example, singing. How have you managed to master producing, singing and song writing?
It's just by working hard and putting in dedication. The more you do something the better you get at it. I write, sing and produce all the time.
You're still quite young, what hopes do you have for the future?
For the future and the present I want to take over the planet! I want to become as successful as I can possibly be. In this day and age people have shown us what we can do, just look at Puff and Jay-Z. The world's your oyster as long as you persevere.
'I Just Wanna Know' released 6th November 2006
www.myspace.com/taiocruzmusic
By Rashmi Shastri - Oct 2006