Taio Cruz

Taio Cruz is a British pop singer/songwriter whose second album, Rokstarr, catapulted him to international chart-topping success in 2010 with its smash hit singles "Break Your Heart" and "Dynamite." Born Jacob Taio Cruz on April 23, 1983, in London, England, to a Nigerian father and a Brazilian mother, he went to school in Rugby, Warwickshire, West Midlands.

His songwriting career got off to a quick start when he was signed to a publishing deal at age 19 and credited with co-writing Pop Idol winner Will Young's 2004 Top Five hit single "Your Game," the recipient of the 2005 Brit Award for Best British Single.

In the wake of this success, Cruz made his debut as a solo artist in 2006 with the Top 30 single "I Just Wanna Know." Initially released by his own label, Rokstarr Music London (later renamed Rokstarr Entertainment Division), the song earned him a major-label recording contract with Island Records.

Following a couple more singles, "Moving On" and "Come on Girl," the latter of which hit the Top Five, Cruz made his full-length album debut with Departure (2008).

Entirely written and produced by the singer/songwriter himself, Departure spawned another two singles, "I Can Be" and "She's Like a Star," and earned favorable reviews.

Prior to releasing his second album, Cruz furthered his reputation as a hitmaking songwriter.

In addition to co-writing songs for British pop superstars Cheryl Cole ("Stand Up") and JLS ("Keep You"), he penned material for grime rapper Tinchy Stryder's second album, Catch 22 (2009), in particular the Top Five hit "Take Me Back" and the chart-topping smash "Never Leave You." "Break Your Heart," the lead single from Cruz's second solo album, Rokstarr (2009), topped the U.K.

singles chart in September, a month after "Never Leave You" vacated the spot, and third single "Dirty Picture" was another major hit, reaching the Top Ten.

Produced and written in collaboration with fellow U.K.

hitmaker Fraser T.

Smith, Rokstarr was re-released internationally in 2010 with the addition of "Dynamite," a Dr.

Luke production that topped the charts in a half-dozen different countries.

"Break Your Heart" was likewise re-released internationally and hit number one in several different countries, including the United States, where it was remixed to include rapper Ludacris as a featured guest.

~ Jason Birchmeier, Rovi

Taio Cruz has revealed he has written four songs which he hopes will be included on Rihanna's next album.

(BANG) -

Taio Cruz is writing songs for Rihanna.

The British singer has penned for tracks for the 'Russian Roulette' star's next LP and is hoping they are considered good enough to make it onto the record.

He said: "I just wrote a couple of songs for Rihanna recently. Whether it goes on her album or not, who knows? I've submitted the songs and hopefully they get on the album."

The 'Break Your Heart' hitmaker has previously written for stars including Cheryl Cole and Tinchy Stryder but admits creating material for Rihanna was one of the easiest tasks he has undertaken.

He added to BBC Newsbeat: "It was pretty easy. I tried to encapsulate how confident she is and how beautiful she is, how sexy she is and how much of a superstar she is and just put that into a record.

"I think hopefully I've done that."

The 27-year-old star also revealed he would love to work with Justin Bieber but thinks he is currently too busy.

He said: "I just came back from Chicago and then I'm off to Japan. I'm straight out."

Taio Cruz has claimed that people are ''killing'' the music industry by leaking tracks online and said he will ''destroy'' those who do it to his songs.

(BANG) -

Taio Cruz has threatened the destruction of those who leak his music.

The 'Break Your Heart' hitmaker took to twitter to berate an un-named person for releasing songs before they are ready to hit the public.

He wrote: "I HATE HACKERS!!! You are all idiots who fricking leak songs before they're even finished & before the reach the srtist who are supposed..

"To record them. U think you're cool by being the first 2 have music but in fact U are killining this industry and making people like...

"Myself want to stop making music. Cos wats the f*****g point if you don't even give art time to be completed.

"Whoever is hacking my shit and leaking it I hope GOD strikes you down with a f*****g lightnig bolt!!!

"If I EVER find out who you are I am going to DESTROY you. And I f*****g mean it!(sic)"

Taio has become a popular songwriter in recent months, contributing to albums by Cheryl Cole, Leona Lewis and boyband JLS.

Taio Cruz wants to write a song for this year's 'X Factor' winner and claims staff at Simon Cowell's record label Syco are always approaching him to write song's for the label's acts.

(BANG) -

Taio Cruz wants to write a song for this year's 'X Factor' winner.

The 'Break Your Heart' singer - who has written tracks for the show's judge Cheryl Cole, previous winner Leona Lewis and last year's runners up JLS - says head judge Simon Cowell is a fan of his work and is keen to get him involved with the victorious artist.

He told BANG Showbiz: "Simon seems to be a fan of my music which is good, or a fan of my first album anyway. The guys at his record label, Syco, are always calling up and telling me they want me to work on their new artists all the time. I'd write a song for the winner."

Taio - who started his career as a producer and songwriter - likes Stacey Solomon the best out of three finalists and was disappointed that Danyl Johnson was booted off.

He added: "I liked Danyl from the beginning I was very sad to see him go. I also like Stacey Solomon, she's amazing."

Stacey is joined in this weekend's final by Olly Murs and Joe McElderry.