Michael Kenji "Mike" Shinoda (born February 11, 1977) is an American musician, record producer, and artist from Agoura Hills, California. He is best known as the rapper, songwriter, keyboardist, vocalist and rhythm guitarist of rock band Linkin Park, and as a solo rapper in his side-project, Fort Minor. He also provides artwork, production and audio mixing for both groups.
Shinoda was born and raised in the Los Angeles suburb of Agoura Hills. His...
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Michael Kenji "Mike" Shinoda (born February 11, 1977) is an American musician, record producer, and artist from Agoura Hills, California. He is best known as the rapper, songwriter, keyboardist, vocalist and rhythm guitarist of rock band Linkin Park, and as a solo rapper in his side-project, Fort Minor. He also provides artwork, production and audio mixing for both groups.
Shinoda was born and raised in the Los Angeles suburb of Agoura Hills. His father, Leslie, is Japanese American. He has a younger brother named Jason. Shinoda attended Parkman Elementary and Lindero Canyon high School.
As per his mother's wishes, Shinoda began his classical piano training with lessons around the age of six, his enthusiasm eventually growing. At the age of thirteen, he expressed the desire to move towards playing jazz, blues, and even hip-hop. During his middle school and high school years, he added the guitar and, eventually, rap-style vocals to his repertoire.
After his teens, Mike Shinoda's rap...
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