Taio Cruz

Taio Cruz, born Jacob Taio Cruz, is a British singer, songwriter, rapper and record producer who rose to international prominence in the late 2000s and early 2010s. His breakthrough came with the 2009 album Rokstarr, which spawned the chart-topping singles «Break Your Heart» and «Dynamite», both of which became global pop-dance anthems.

Cruz built a career on catchy, club-ready pop songs that blended R&B vocal delivery with electronic and dance production, a sound that fit naturally into the late-2000s pop landscape alongside collaborators like Kesha, Kylie Minogue and Travie McCoy. His single «Higher», featuring Kylie Minogue and Travie McCoy, exemplified this fusion of pop, dance and hip hop sensibilities.

His reach extended into film with «Telling the World», the lead single from the soundtrack of the 2011 animated film Rio, further cementing his presence in mainstream pop culture. His third studio album, TY.O, released first in Germany in late 2011, continued his run of upbeat, hook-driven pop singles aimed at both UK and international audiences.