You have defiantly heard some of Mike's music. He has created some of the most memorable songs in the last few years. From both Rap & Rock, and a Member of a very popular band called Linkin Park. His other side project you might know, Fort Minor, is more like an experimental band. While Fort minor focuses on more the lyrical note of things leaning towards the Hip-Hop side. On the other hand we have Linkin Park, which is Rock/Alternative. Mike Shinoda being a Vocalist, Guitarist and Producer. Creating some of the very fine singles such as,
"Crawling" "In the End" "Breaking the Habbit" "Faint" "Somewhere i Belong" "Numb" "Bleed it out"

Linkin Park the band was formed in 1996 consisting of 3 High School friends, Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, and Rob Bourden. After Graduation was when things really started turning in their world of music. Before Linkin Park had become their band was called Xero. Taking interest in music more seriously, the band began creating music in Shinoda's make shift bedroom studio. After failure in finding a record label, frustrations grew and they had lost their main Vocalist which was Mark Wakefield. After a decent amount of searching they had found Arizona vocalist Chester Bennington. Chester a formal member of the band Grey Daze, had such a unique and outstanding style of singing, which made him a strong applicant. Once Chester joined the band they agreed upon changing their name from Xero to Hybrid Theory The bond between Shindoa and Chester had revived the spirits of the band.

The band once again decided to change their name, resolving in the final name Linkin Park, a homage to Santa Monica's Lincoln Park. Despite the groups major changes the band yet, struggled to sign a record label. The band tunred to Jeff Blue, although failing to reach Warners Bro. Records on three previous reviews, Jeff Blue now the vice president of the Company Signed Linkin Park in 1999. So Fourth allowing them to release the major breakthorugh album - Hybrid Theory. The album gained them alot of media attention, eventually the band re-released the album as a remixed version called Re-Animation.

Following the Great success on their debut album, Linkin Park released Meteora, which is arguabaly their best album ever. Selling over 800,000 albums in the first week, and being on top in the Billboard Charts. As well as doing a side album that included Jay-Z, Collision Course. Their Newest album Minutes to Midnight, following the trend of their other albums, did good number all around.

Mike Shinoda (Michael Kenji Shinoda) Was born in Agoura Hills, California. His Father Japanese American and his Mother European Native American. He graduated from Art college in Pasadena and also majored in illustration. His first job was being a graphic designer, he then moved on to forming the roots of Linking Park. Mike designed the cover for the Hybrid Theory cd and did alot of the designs for the Meteora and Reanimation booklets and Digipak sleeves. Mike has produced 3 Linkin Park CD's - "Hybrid Theory EP," "Reanimation" and "Collision Course". He Formed Fort Minor because he could not demonstrate as much of his hip-hop background in Linkin Park. He has also produced and worked alongside alot for other people Including, Lupe Fiasco, Jay-Z, Dr. Dre, The X-ecutioners, Busta Rhymers and many more.
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Who is he? He was the Lead Singer/Song Writer/Guitarist of a Well known band named Nirvana. You may heard some of the songs, their hit singles include: "Smell's Like Teen Spirit" "Come As You Are" "In Bloom" "Polly". Cobain is often recognized as one of the most iconic musician in Alternative music. At the age of 14 Cobain received his first guitar as birthday gift from his uncle. Cobain didn't have anyone to jam with, so after months of asking, Novoselic finally agreed to play along side with him. Forming the foundation of Nirvana. They picked up drummer Chad Channing, with whom Nirvana recorded their first album "Bleach" in 1989. Cobain, dissatisfied with Channing's style, causing the band to seek out a new drummer, eventually setting on David Grohl. With Grohl as their new drummer. Nirvana found their greatest success via their Major level Debut & second album titled "Nevermind" which was released in 1991.
The Downfall of Nirvana.
Throughout most of his life, Cobain struggled with Chronic Bronchitis, and physical pain due to an undiagnosed stomach condition. He had a couple of drug addiction including "Marijuana" "Heroin" and "Percodan". Cobain's heroin addiction worsened over the years, He made his first attempt of Rehab in 1992, which in the long wasn't successful. On March 1, 1994 Cobain was diagnosed with bronchitis and severe laryngitis. On march 18th his wife Courtney Love called the police to inform them that Cobain was Suicidal, and that he had locked himself in a room with a gun. Policed arrived in time, and confiscated several guns and pills from Cobain. Over the course of April 2nd & 3rd Cobain was spotted in various places in Seattle, although family and friends where unaware of his whereabouts. On April 7, many rumors that Nirvana was going to brake up had driven high. On the verge of the Grunge style of rock, the band pulled out from Lollapolooza (an American Music Festival) that year.
On April 8th, 1994 Cobains body was found at his Lake Washington Home. A suicide note was found that said, "I haven't felt the excitement of listening to as well as creating music, along with really writing . . . for too many years now" A high concentration of heroin and traces of Valium were also found in his body. They Believe he died on April 5th by a shotgun to his head. A public vigil was held for Cobain on April 10 at a park at Seattle Center which drew approximately seven thousand mourners. Cobain was a devoted champion of eary Alternative Rock acts. He Helped define the Alternative Rock Genre.

He is the Smartest Rapper of our generation in my personal opinion. He is also my favorite rapper at the moment. The way he clearly illustrates his lyrics, and down to the mellow beats that help define his words. He doesn't do Gangster Rap like many of other people do, and he is not in it for the money. His song "Dumb it Down" is clearly sending a message to the whole rap game. What other Rapper besides Lupe would dare Rap about Skateboarding, and have a hit first single? With the Hits " Kick,Push","SuperStar" , and "Hip Hop Saved My Life" definitely helped put him on the map. His debut album, and Grammy Award winner Food & Liquor considered a critical masterpiece by many critics. Soon Followed by his Second Album The Cool going gold in the united states by selling over 500,000. He is set to release his last and final album before retirement in 2009, many people will grieve for hip hop's greatest loss.

Lupe Fiasco(Wasalu Muhammad Jaco) was born and raised on the Westside of Chicago, in which he never gave in to the negative life that surrounded him. I suppose that his Muslim background helped in the struggle of living in the "Ghettos". Nas was one the most influential people to Lupe, He was so inspired by him, that Lupe decided to start rapping after he quit do to the violent imagery that N.W.A Records showed. Lupe would definitely fall into the "Smart" category at school. From the mouth of Lupe "What you put out into the world comes back to you. You actually change the world with what you do. I want to put some good in the world."