Mike Shinoda
|
Mike Shinoda LHD |
|
|---|---|
Shinoda at World Expo 2008
|
|
| Born |
Michael Kenji Shinoda February 11, 1977 Agoura Hills, California, United States |
| Occupation |
|
| Spouse(s) | Anna Hillinger (m. 2003) |
| Children | 3 |
| Website | mikeshinoda |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instruments |
|
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Labels | |
| Associated acts | |
| Signature | |
 |
|
Michael Kenji "Mike" Shinoda (born February 11, 1977) is an American musician, rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, graphic designer, manager and film composer. He co-founded Linkin Park in 1996 and is the band's rhythm guitarist, songwriter, keyboardist, and co-vocalist. Shinoda later created a hip hop-driven side project, Fort Minor, in 2004. He served as a producer for tracks and albums by Lupe Fiasco, Styles of Beyond, and The X-Ecutioners.
Shinoda is also the co-founder of Machine Shop Recordings, a California-based record label. Outside of music, Shinoda is an artist and graphic designer. He has painted several pieces of artwork, some of which have been featured in the Japanese American National Museum.
Shinoda was born and raised in the Los Angeles suburb of Agoura Hills. His father is Japanese and a descendant of the Kumaichiro Shinoda floral company family. He has a younger brother, Jason. He was raised as a liberal Protestant. Shinoda's mother encouraged him to take classical piano lessons when he was six. By 13, he expressed the desire to move toward playing jazz, blues, and even hip-hop. He later added the guitar and rap-style vocals to his repertoire during his middle school and high school years.
Shinoda attended Agoura High School with Linkin Park bandmates Brad Delson and Rob Bourdon. The three formed the band Xero, and began to make a more serious attempt to pursue a career in the music industry. After graduating high school, Shinoda enrolled in the Art Center College of Design of Pasadena to study graphic design and illustration. He attended classes with DJ and turntablist Joseph Hahn. While studying at the Art Center College of Design, he experienced a form of identity crisis. Years later, in an interview he said:
...
Wikipedia