Taio Cruz

Adetayo Ayowale Onile-Ere, known professionally as Taio Cruz, was born on April 23, 1980, in London. His early life included education at independent schools, Bilton Grange and Battle Abbey School, before attending Stanmore College. Cruz began his songwriting career with Tricky Stewart’s RedZone Entertainment collective, quickly gaining recognition. In 2005, he received a Brit Award for co-writing Will Young’s 2004 single, “Your Game.” This early success led to the establishment of his own label, Rokstarr Music London, which released his debut single “I Just Wanna Know” in 2006, charting at number 29 in the UK.

Cruz secured a split single deal with Universal Music Group, Republic Records, and Island Records, leading to his debut album, “Departure,” in March 2008. The album, which Cruz entirely wrote, arranged, and produced, peaked at number 17 on the UK charts and was certified gold by the BPI. His second album, “Rokstarr” (2009), marked an international breakthrough, with the lead single “Break Your Heart” topping the UK singles chart and the Billboard Hot 100. Another hit from this album, “Dynamite,” also achieved significant global success, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100. His collaborations continued with artists such as Kesha on “Dirty Picture” and Kylie Minogue on “Higher.”

In 2011, Cruz released his third studio album, “TY.O,” which featured singles like “Hangover” with Flo Rida and “There She Goes” with Pitbull. He also contributed to various soundtracks, including the animated film “Rio.” Beyond his musical releases, Cruz launched the fashion and accessories brand Rokstarr (later renamed RXTR) in 2009, initially focusing on sunglasses and later expanding to watches and apparel. He has had an extensive career as a songwriter and producer for other notable artists, including Jennifer Lopez, David Guetta, and Olly Murs, consistently contributing to hit records and maintaining a presence in the music industry.