Mika (singer)
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| Mika | ||
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| Background information | ||
| Birth name | Michael Holbrook Penniman | |
| Also known as | Mika | |
| Born | August 18, 1983 (age 23) Beirut, Lebanon  |
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| Genre(s) | Pop, pop rock Glam rock | |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter | |
| Instrument(s) | Voice, piano | |
| Years active | 2006 to present | |
| Label(s) | Casablanca Records, Island Records | |
| Website | www.mikasounds.com | |
Mica Penniman (born 18 August 1983 as Michael Holbrook Penniman), known by his stage name Mika (IPA [ˈmikə]), is a London-based singer who has a contract with Casablanca Records and Universal Music.
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[edit] Early life
Mika was born in Beirut, Lebanon, to a Lebanese mother and an American father. He is the middle child of the five children born to his parents. When he was a child his family was forced to leave war-torn Lebanon and moved to Paris, France. They moved to London when he was nine years old. In London, he attended the Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle, Westminster School and the Royal College of Music, from which he later dropped out to record his first album.[1]
[edit] Musical career
He was trained by a Russian opera professional and his public performances and jobs have varied from classical performances in the Royal Opera House, writing in-flight music for British Airways and creating an Orbit Chewing Gum jingle. He appeared on BBC Radio 1 in September 2006, and on The Friday Night Project on 19 January 2007.[citation needed] He has a vocal range of five octaves.[1]
He chose the name Mika for his professional name because he was frustrated with how often people would mispronounce Mica.[2]
In January 2007, he came top of BBC News's Sound of 2007 poll.[3]
His first single was a limited 7"/download release called "Relax, Take It Easy" (2006), which features the melody of "(I Just) Died in Your Arms" by Cutting Crew. It was playlisted by BBC Radio 1 in the United Kingdom, and was also made Record of the Week by DJ Scott Mills. The Dodgy Holiday EP is also available for download. His song "Billy Brown" was available for free download for a week from the iTunes Music Store.
Universal Music released his single "Grace Kelly" by digital download on 8 January 2007, and it reached number one on the UK Singles Chart on 21 January 2007. The CD, 12", and limited-edition 7" versions were released on 29 January 2007. The release features remixes by Tom Neville (DJ), Bimbo Jones, Linus Loves, and Pull Tiger Tail.
Produced and mixed by Greg Wells in Los Angeles, with two songs coproduced by Jodi Marr and John Merchant (see www.jodimarr.com), Mika's début album Life in Cartoon Motion was released on February 5, 2007, and has brought comparison with artists such as Freddie Mercury,[4][5] Scissor Sisters,[6] Elton John,[7] Robbie Williams[8] and David Bowie.[8]
He was the musical act for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Monday, March 26, 2007 and for Jimmy Kimmel Live on Tuesday, March 27, 2007.[citation needed]
His band consists of Martin Waugh (guitars, backing vocals), Michael Choi (bass, backing vocals), Vinnie Potestivo, Cherisse Osei (drums) and Luke Juby (keyboards, guitar, backing vocals).[citation needed]
[edit] Personal life
A number of articles claim that Mika is gay.[9] One interview reveals that he was taunted as a child with phrases like "faggot" and "child-bearing hips".[1] In response to media speculation Mika has said that he prefers not to discuss his sexuality with journalists.[10] However, Mika has stated ”People say, 'You don't talk about sexuality because you're worried about success in the US.' I say, 'Have you heard the f***ing album?' There's a song about a married man who has a homosexual affair! There's no enigma."[11]
Mika comes from a family of five children.[12] His sister Yasmine, who works as an artist under the nom de plume Dawack, painted the cartoon art for his album Life in Cartoon Motion.[8]
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
| Year | Album | Chart Statistics | Singles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Life in Cartoon Motion |
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[edit] Singles
| Year | Song | UK | UK D/L | IRE | CAN | DK | SWE | POL | RUS | US | NOR | FR D/L | UWC | BEL | ITA | ROM | LAT | EST | AUS | NZ | FIN | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | "Relax, Take It Easy" | - | 67 | - | - | - | 26 | 1 (x4) | 3 | - | - | 1 (x4) | - | - | - | - | 9 | 2 | - | - | - | Life in Cartoon Motion |
| 2007 | "Grace Kelly" | 1 (x5) | 1 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 39 | 78 | 75 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 5 | |
| "Love Today" | - | 34 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 118 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ a b c "Triumph of a tortured soul", The Times, 2007-01-05.
- ^ "Mika Fanclub: Mika on cover of Gay&Night".
- ^ "Singer Mika tops BBC talent", BBC News, 2007-01-04.
- ^ "Mika uses Freddie's piano?", Metro, 2007-01-24.
- ^ "Sound of 2007: Mika", BBC News, 2007-01-05.
- ^ "Mika", The Guardian, 2006-12-07.
- ^ "V is for victory - and for virtuoso", The Independent, 2007-03-01.
- ^ a b c "Introducing the sound of 2007: Mika", Belfast Telegraph, 2007-01-23. Retrieved on 2007-03-20..
- ^ "Number 1 Top Hit for Mika", bent.com, 2007-01-27.
- ^ "Brit pop star won't say which way he swings", Pink News, 2007-01-24.
- ^ Chris Taylor. "Mika: There is no 'enigma' over my sexuality", entertainmentwise.com, 2007-03-19. Retrieved on 2007-03-30.
- ^ "Mika Interview", Music Glob, 2007-01-23.
