Mike Shinoda
Michael Kenji Shinoda A.K.A The Glue (born February 11, 1977) is the MC/keyboardist/ rhythm guitarist/co-producer of the band Linkin Park and Fort Minor.
He was born in Agoura, California, USA, to a Japanese father and a Russian or a Russian-Hungarian mother who is allegedly descendant of classical music composer Tchaikovsky. 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.
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 which later evolved into Linkin Park. However, their style was rather different from 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.
After his success with Linkin Park, Mike jointly opened Machine Shop Recordings with the other members of the band. Some artists featured on the imprint include Styles of Beyond, Holly Brook, Simplistic and No Warning.
For some time, rumors 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, Styles of Beyond , Black Thought of The Roots, and with Jay-Z producing the album. Shinoda has stated that the guest artists featured on the album will primarily be composed of personal friends. The record, entitled The Rising Tied, will be released under the alias Fort Minor. The CD itself is set to be released on November 22, 2005. So far, three songs from the album have been released: "Remember the Name," "Petrified," and "Believe Me."
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.
Alongside Lil' Jon, Mike was given the opportunity to score the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards, the first time in the award show's history that artists were given the chance to do so.
VMA Score track listings
- 100 Degrees
- Saturday
- Montreal
- Hype
- Madison
Trivia
Mike Shinoda's last-term final exams at the Art Center College of Design were held during the same time period that then-unsigned Linkin Park had to perform a showcase for six major record labels.
One year after his marriage, Shinoda was on Punk'd after he was tricked by Ashton Kutcher's crew members where he was slapped with a $5,000 fine for parking in front of a fire hydrant.
Shinoda is almost blind without his contact lenses.
He was married to Anna on May 10, 2003.