Taio Cruz

Taio Cruz
Cruz performing in 2011
Background information
Birth name	Adetayo Ayowale Onile-Ere
Also known as	Jacob Blvck T. Onile-Ere
Born	23 April London, England
Genres	Pop R&B dance
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter rapper record producer
Years active	2006–present
Labels	Rokstarr Island Republic Mercury Tourean
Associated acts	Nitin Sawhney Kesha Kylie Minogue Ludacris David Guetta McFly Tujamo Travie McCoy Tinie Tempah Flo Rida Pitbull
Website	taiocruz.com

Jacob Taio Cruz (born Adetayo Ayowale Onile-Ere; 23 April), is a British singer, songwriter, rapper and record producer. In 2008, he released his debut album Departure, which he wrote, arranged and produced. The album achieved certified gold status in the United Kingdom and earned him a Music of Black Origin Awards nomination.

In October 2009, Cruz released his follow-up album Rokstarr, which includes the number one singles "Break Your Heart" and "Dynamite". Cruz collaborated with Kesha and Fabolous on the single "Dirty Picture", and with Kylie Minogue and Travie McCoy on his single "Higher". Cruz wrote and recorded the song "Telling the World" as the lead single from the soundtrack to the 2011 animated film Rio. Cruz's third studio album, TY.O, was first released in Germany in December 2011.

In 2012, Cruz co-wrote the David Guetta song "Without You". In April 2015, Cruz released the first single, "Do What You Like" from his forthcoming Roses Collection. In late 2015, Taio added vocals to Tujamo's Melbourne track, "Booty Bounce" which was released by Spinnin' Records.

Cruz was born in London, to a Nigerian father and a Brazilian mother. He attended Bilton Grange, a private prep school in Rugby, Warwickshire, and Christ's Hospital, a private boarding school in Horsham, West Sussex.