 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. More than just a pretty face, the Multi instrumentalist, producer, singer, songwriter is about to release his single ‘I Just Wanna know’.
“It feels good to finally release my own material,” says Taio. “I’ve been singing my own songs for a long time now and have participated in some exciting, cool shows including ‘Late Night’ with Jools Holland. Although writing was a good experience, I love the idea of releasing my own single and it’s good to hear someone say ‘that’s a Taio track!"
As a man of many talents, Taio has worked with numerous artists, such as: Mya, Usher, and Will Young amongst others. 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.
“Most artists such as Mya for example, phone me and give me a brief of the kind of music they would like on their album,” he says.” They would give me a certain topic or idea and I would work off of that. It is a big honor to work with people with such a high profile and is a good feeling to know that they would want to work with you”.
It is very rare to see much of Taio as he has been busy working on this new album. He’s been spending a lot of time in the across the pond.
“When working out in the States, I have the chance to meet and work with other artists who I would consider, compliment my sounds,” says Taio. "It feels great to be in the mix. It is always good to stay current and I do have some people I would like to get on the album. I ain’t naming anyone for now as I’m still in the process of making it."
Given the unconfirmed title of ‘Drivers Seat’ and with complimentary sounds such as ‘I Just Wanna Know’ finding itself on the infamous Radio 1 playlist, you don’t have to be Mystic Meg to predict this album is going to be a banger! However, those who are thinking Mr Cruz is going to settle down in the States and abandon us are fully mistaken.
“I like London. It is my home and where I love to hang out time to time. At the end of the day, the industry is just a job. It’s like when you get a good job and you move home because another place offers you more money, time, reasonable working hours and opportunities,” he says. “I’m mostly in New York or Atlanta most of the time however, once I get the money, I may think of buying a home near Miami”.
There’s a distinct lack in British urban talent hitting the mainstream, why does Taio think that is?
“In my honest opinion, the UK is very much a pop market. I think we are extremely good with rock here however; apart from that, there isn’t really much to go by. I mean, singles such as the Crazy Frog and The Cheeky Girls will never hit the number 1 spot in America,” reckons Taio. ” I also think that the UK is also neglecting Garage as it has the chance to be huge! Garage is a phenomenon but no-one wants to give it a chance. In America, they really embrace Lady Sovereign. With grime however, I don’t think that I can really embrace it. I think it’s much too angry. With garage, you have emcees and singers but know it’s mostly just emcees and they really always talk about beef all the time”.
Taio speaks to UK Music only a day after the theft of his laptop.
“The day I got back from Atlanta I went to a club and we parked the car outside. When I came out, all the televisions where ripped from the head rests and my laptop was also stolen,” he rants. “I was angry because my insurance put me on a low premium cover when I asked for the golden cover. This would have easily replaced my laptop however, they made a mistake and it cost me”.
No doubt he’ll be raking it in to be able to buy a new one soon enough.
The new single ‘I Just wanna know’ is out now.
www.myspace.com/taiocruzmusic
Words by Bertan Budak
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