Mike Shinoda
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Michael Kenji Shinoda (born February 11, 1977) is the emcee/keyboardist/ rhythm guitarist/co-producer of the band Linkin Park.
He was born in Agoura, California, to a Japanese father and a Russian or a Russian-Hungarian mother. He now lives in Los Angeles, where the band is based. He attended Agoura high school along with several members of the bands Incubus and Hoobastank. Shinoda is a distant relative of famed Russian composer Tchaikovsky. He was raised in a 'really, really, liberally Protestant church,' but it is unknown whether or not he still practices his religion. His musical tastes vary widely, from Tool to Dido.
Shinoda was first inspired to become a musician after attending a concert in his middle school years. The concert was a Killer B's show which included Anthrax and Public Enemy. He took piano lessons for ten years, beginning with classical, but later moving to jazz and then hip-hop. From there began his love of emceeing. In 7th grade, Mike met Brad Delson, the future guitarist for Linkin Park, at Lindero Canyon Middle School. Sometime near the end of high school, they joined with Rob Bourdon and started a band called Xero, whose style was rather different from the Linkin Park's sound today.
He graduated from the Art Center College of Design (where he met Linkin Park's Mr. Hahn) in Pasadena, California with a major in illustration. He also concentrated on graphic design quite heavily in school, resulting in him getting a job as a graphic designer straight out of college. He has stated that the most poignant moment in his life thus far has been receiving his diploma upon graduation. With his experience as a graphic artist, he ended up designing the "street soldier" figure featured on the Hybrid Theory album cover, as well as Linkin Park Underground website and merchandise (a cel-shaded, revised, robotic version of the "street soldier" is featured on Reanimation's cover). He also designed the artwork/logo for Styles of Beyond's debut album, 2000 Fold.
For some time, rumours circulated that Shinoda was going to record a solo album, its release confirmed in March of 2005. It features several other well-known artists, including Kenna, Common, ?uestlove, Black Thought, and possibly Ice Cube. Shinoda has stated that the guest artists featured on the album will primarily be composed of personal friends. The record will be released under the alias Fort Minor, and press releases title it The Rising Tied.
Shinoda also has found work as a record producer, and has done work for other artists, including Lupe Fiasco and Styles of Beyond. He was also titled as producer for Linkin Park's "mash-up" CD with Jay-Z, Collision Course.
He was married to Anna Lovejoy on May 10, 2003.
Trivia
Mike Shinoda's last-term final exams at the Art Center College for Design were held during the same time period that then-unsigned Linkin Park had to perform a showcase for six major record labels.bg:Майк Шинода it:Mike Shinoda nl:Mike Shinoda pt:Mike Shinoda