singers profiles

BRyAN ADaMS

Bryan Adams
Background information
Birth name	Bryan Guy Adams
Born	5 November 1959 (age 51) Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Genres	Rock, roots rock, heartland rock,hard rock
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, musician,photographer, social activist
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, bass, dobro,keyboards, piano, harmonica
Years active	1977–present
Labels	A&M, Polydor
Website	bryanadams.com

RIHANNA Rihanna Rihanna performing in Wantagh, New Yorkduring her Last Girl on Earth Tour on August 15, 2010. Background information Birth name Robyn Rihanna Fenty Born February 20, 1988 (age 23) Saint Michael, Barbados Genres R&B, pop, reggae, dance,urban pop, Eurodance Occupations Singer, songwriter, executive producer, video director, philanthropist, author, actress[1] Years active 2005–present Labels Def Jam, SRP, Roc Nation[2] Associated acts Jay-Z, Kanye West, Shontelle,Ne-Yo, Nicki Minaj, Eminem Website rihannanow.com Rihanna's signature

KESHA

Kesha
Kesha in Schladming, Austria, December 2010
Background information
Birth name	Kesha Rose Sebert
Born	March 1, 1987 (age 24) Los Angeles, California
Origin	Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Genres	Electropop, dance-pop
Occupations	Singer, songwriter
Instruments	Vocals, piano, guitar
Years active	2005–present
Labels	RCA, Kemosabe
Associated acts	Flo Rida
Website	keshasparty.com

USHER

Usher
Usher giving a speech at a ServiceNation Summit in New York City, 2008
Background information
Birth name	Usher Terrence Raymond IV
Born	October 14, 1978 (age 32) Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Origin	Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States
Genres	R&B, soul, pop
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, music executive, actor, record producer, choreographer, dancer, composer, model, businessman, designer, philanthropist
Years active	1992–present
Labels	LaFace, Arista
Website	ushernow.com

AKON

Akon
Akon at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Charlotte, North Carolina
Background information
Birth name	Aliaune Badara Akon Thiam[1]
Born	April 16, 1973 (age 38) St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Origin	Dakar, Senegal
Genres	R&B, hip hop, pop
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, record producer
Years active	1996–present
Labels	Universal, SRC, Konvict,UpFront, Kon Live
Associated acts	T-Pain, Kardinal Offishall, Colby O'Donis, Snoop Dogg, Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, Sway DaSafo, Gwen Stefani, Lionel Richie, Wyclef Jean, Nelly,Young Jeezy, David Guetta,Pitbull, Flo Rida
Website	akon.com

JOHN MAYER

John Mayer
Mayer performing at the Mile High Music Festival on July 20, 2008
Background information
Birth name	John Clayton Mayer
Born	October 16, 1977 (age 33) Bridgeport, Connecticut
Origin	Fairfield, Connecticut, U.S.
Genres	Blues, blues rock, pop rock,blue-eyed soul, acoustic rock,soft rock
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, musician, record producer, columnist, graphic designer, television host, comedian
Instruments	Guitar, vocals, omnichord,piano, vibraphone, harmonica,percussion
Years active	1998–present
Labels	Arista, Aware, Columbia
Associated acts	John Mayer Trio
Website	johnmayer.com
Notable instruments
Fender Stratocaster Martin Guitars Gibson Guitars

Mj

Michael Jackson
Jackson at the White House in 1984
Background information
Birth name	Michael Joseph Jackson[1]
Also known as	Michael Joe Jackson
Born	August 29, 1958 Gary, Indiana, U.S.
Died	June 25, 2009 (aged 50) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres	R&B, pop, rock, soul, dance,new jack swing, funk, disco
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, record producer, composer, musician,dancer, choreographer, actor,businessman, philanthropist
Instruments	Vocals, piano, drums, beatbox,guitar
Years active	1964–2009
Labels	Motown, Epic, Legacy
Associated acts	The Jackson 5, Janet Jackson,Slash
Website	michaeljackson.com

DRAKE

Drake
Drake performing on July 16, 2010 at the Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest.
Background information
Birth name	Aubrey Drake Graham
Born	October 24, 1986 (age 24) Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Genres	Hip hop, R&B, pop
Occupations	Actor, rapper, singer
Years active	2001–present (actor) 2006–present (rapper)
Labels	Universal Motown, Young Money, Cash Money
Associated acts	Lil Wayne, Trey Songz, Young Money, Nicki Minaj
Website	drakeofficial.com

LIL WAYNE

Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne in 2006
Background information
Birth name	Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr.
Born	September 27, 1982 (age 28) New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Origin	New Orleans, Louisiana
Genres	Hip hop
Occupations	Rapper
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1993–present
Labels	Young Money, Cash Money,Universal Motown
Associated acts	Birdman, Drake, Cash Money Millionaires, Hot Boys, Juelz Santana, T-Pain, Kevin Rudolf,Young Money, The B.G.'z
Website	lilwayne-online.com

T-PAIN

T-Pain
Background information
Birth name	Faheem Rasheed Najm
Born	September 30, 1985 (age 25) Tallahassee, Florida, U.S.
Genres	Contemporary R&B
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, rapper,record producer, dancer, actor
Instruments	Keyboard, vocals
Years active	2004–present
Labels	Konvict Muzik (2002–2011) Jive (2002–present) Nappy Boy (2007–present) Young Money (2011–present)[1]
Associated acts	Akon, Tay Dizm, DJ Khaled, Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Young Cash, Travis McCoy
Website	t-pain.net

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift
Swift at the Time 100 Gala, May 4, 2010.
Background information
Birth name	Taylor Alison Swift
Born	December 13, 1989 (age 21) Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, United States
Genres	Country pop,[1] pop,[2] teen pop, country
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, musician,record producer, actress
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, piano,[3]ukulele,[4] banjo
Years active	2006–present
Labels	Big Machine
Associated acts	Nathan Chapman, Liz Rose
Website	taylorswift.com

Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards.
Background information
Birth name	Onika Tanya Maraj
Born	December 8, 1984 (age 26) Saint James, Port of Spain,Trinidad and Tobago
Origin	New York City, United States
Genres	Hip hop, R&B, Rap
Occupations	Rapper, singer-songwriter
Years active	2004–present
Labels	Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records,Universal Motown
Associated acts	Young Money, will.i.am, Lil Wayne, Drake, Rihanna, Gucci Mane, Sean Garrett, Yo Gotti,Jadakiss
Website	mypinkfriday.com

REDMAN

Redman
Redman in Los Angeles
Background information
Birth name	Reginald Noble
Also known as	Redman Funk, DoctaSpock, Shit Breathed red, Funk Doc
Born	April 17, 1970 (age 41) Newark, New Jersey, U.S.[1]
Genres	Hip hop
Occupations	Rapper, record producer, actor
Years active	1990–present
Labels	Def Jam Recordings, Gilla House (CEO)
Associated acts	EPMD, Method Man, Def Squad,Timbaland, Busta Rhymes, Wu-Tang Clan, Snoop Dogg, Danny Hunter, Tame One, Eminem,KRS-One, A Tribe Called Quest,Hit Squad, DMX, LL Cool J
Website	redman.defjam.com

Eminem

Eminem
Eminem performing live at the DJ Hero Party inLos Angeles, June 1, 2009
Background information
Birth name	Marshall Bruce Mathers III
Born	October 17, 1972 (age 38)Saint Joseph, Missouri, U.S.
Origin	Warren, Michigan, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop
Occupations	Rapper, producer, actor,songwriter
Years active	1992–present
Labels	Interscope, Aftermath
Associated acts	D12, Dr. Dre, Royce da 5'9",Bad Meets Evil, 50 Cent, Obie Trice, Jay-Z, Nate Dogg,Yelawolf
Website	eminem.com

PITBULL

Pitbull
Background information
Birth name	Armando Christian Pérez
Born	January 15, 1981 (age 30) Miami, Florida, United States
Genres	Hip hop
Occupations	Singer-songwriter
Years active	2003–present
Labels	Slip-N-Slide, TVT, J, Polo Grounds Music
Associated acts	Lil Jon, Ying Yang Twins,Enrique Iglesias
Website	planetpit.com

Lil Bow Wow

Bow Wow
Bow Wow in 2002
Background information
Birth name	Shad Gregory Moss
Born	March 9, 1987 (age 24) Columbus, Ohio, United States
Genres	Hip hop
Occupations	Actor, rapper, singer
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1993–present
Labels	Cash Money Records,Universal Motown
Associated acts	Jagged Edge, Jermaine Dupri,Snoop Dogg, Omarion, Dr. Dre[1]
Website	bowwowtoday.com

A R RAHMAN

A. R. Rahman
A.R. Rahman in 2007
Background information
Birth name	A. S. Dileep Kumar
Also known as	A. R. Rahman, A. R. R., A. R.
Born	6 January 1966 (age 45)[1]Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India[2]
Genres	Film score, theatre, world music
Occupations	Composer, record producer, music director, singer,instrumentalist, arranger,programmer
Years active	1980–present
Labels	K. M. Musiq
Website	arrahman.com

Enrique Iglesias

Enrique Iglesias
Iglesias on MuchOnDemand in Toronto, Ontario
Background information
Birth name	Enrique Miguel Iglesias Preysler
Born	May 8, 1975 (age 36) Madrid, Spain
Origin	Madrid, Spain
Genres	Pop, Latin pop, R&B, Dance-pop
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, model, actor
Instruments	Vocals, guitar
Years active	1995–present
Labels	Fonovisa, Interscope, Universal Music Latino, Universal Republic,Polydor
Website	enriqueiglesias.com

Avril Lavigne

Avril Lavigne
Lavigne in 2007 at a press conference in Hong Kong, promoting The Best Damn Thing.
Background information
Birth name	Avril Ramona Lavigne
Born	27 September 1984 (age 26) Belleville, Ontario, Canada
Origin	Napanee, Ontario, Canada
Genres	Pop rock, power pop, pop punk
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, record producer, actress, fashion designer, philanthropist
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, piano, drums
Years active	1998–present
Labels	Arista, RCA
Associated acts	Evan Taubenfeld, Deryck Whibley
Website	avrillavigne.com

Sean Kingston

Sean Kingston
Sean Kingston on December 29, 2007.
Background information
Birth name	Kisean Anderson
Born	February 3, 1990 (age 21) Miami, Florida, United States
Genres	hip hop, R&B, Reggae fusion
Occupations	Singer, songwriter, rapper, actor
Years active	2007–present
Labels	Beluga Heights, Epic, TM3 Records, E1 Music
Website	seankingston.com

Kanye West

Kanye West
West at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival
Background information
Birth name	Kanye Omari West
Born	June 8, 1977 (age 33) Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Origin	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Genres	Hip hop
Occupations	Producer, rapper, musician, singer
Instruments	Vocals, keyboards, sampler, percussion, synthesizer
Years active	1996–present
Labels	GOOD Music, Roc-A-Fella, Def Jam
Associated acts	Go Getters, Child Rebel Soldier,Jay-Z, Jon Brion, Common,John Legend, Kid Cudi, Jeff Bhasker, Pusha T, Mr Hudson,Mos Def, Big Sean, A-Trak
Website	kanyewest.com

David Guetta

David Guetta
David Guetta on the One Love Tour January 2010.
Background information
Born	7 November 1967 (age 43) Paris, France
Genres	House, Electro-house, Hip House
Occupations	Singer, DJ, Songwriter
Years active	1996–present
Labels	EMI Music France/Virgin,Positiva, Astralwerks
Associated acts	Chris Willis, Fergie, Greyson Chance, Akon
Website	davidguetta.com

Fergie

Fergie
Fergie at the 2007 MuchMusic Video Awardsred carpet with her award.
Background information
Birth name	Stacy Ann Ferguson
Born	March 27, 1975 (age 36) Hacienda Heights, California, United States
Genres	Hip hop, R&B, pop
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, rapper,actress, fashion designer
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1984–present
Labels	A&M, Interscope, will.i.am music group
Associated acts	Wild Orchid, The Black Eyed Peas, will.i.am
Website	fergie.com

JAY SEAN

Jay Sean
Sean at the 2009 Indian Day Parade in New York City
Background information
Birth name	Kamaljit Singh Jhooti
Also known as	Jay Sean
Born	26 March 1981(age 30)Harlesden, Brent, London, England
Genres	Pop, R&B, hip hop, bhangra
Occupations	Singer–songwriter, rapper, beatboxer, record producer, arranger
Instruments	Guitar, piano
Years active	2003–present
Labels	Relentless, Virgin, 2Point9, Jayded, Cash Money, Universal Republic, Island
Associated acts	Rishi Rich
Website	jayseanworldwide.co

Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber
Bieber at the 2010 White House Easter Egg Roll
Background information
Birth name	Justin Drew Bieber
Born	March 1, 1994 (age 17)[1]
Origin	Stratford, Ontario, Canada
Genres	Pop, R&B[2][3][4]
Occupations	Singer–songwriter, musician,actor
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, piano,percussion,[5] trumpet[6]
Years active	2009–present
Labels	Island, RBMG
Associated acts	Usher
Website	justinbiebermusic.com

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE

Justin Timberlake
Timberlake at the Shrek the Third London premiere in June 2007
Background information
Birth name	Justin Randall Timberlake
Born	January 31, 1981 (age 30) Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Origin	Shelby Forest, Tennessee
Genres	Pop, dance, R&B
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, musician, record producer, dancer, actor, businessman
Instruments	Vocals, keyboards, guitar,beatboxing
Years active	1993–present
Labels	Jive
Associated acts	'N Sync, The Y's, Timbaland,Nelly Furtado, T.I
Website	justintimberlake.com