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Mika Profile |
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Birth Date: August 18, 1983
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Birth Place: Beirut, Lebanon
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Birth Name: Mica Penniman
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Height: 6'0"
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Biography |
Mica Penniman (born 18 August 1983 as Michael Holbrook
Penniman), known by his stage name Mika, is a Lebanon-born,
London-based singer who has a contract with Casablanca
Records and Universal Music.
Mika was born in Beirut. He is the middle child of the five
children born to a Lebanese mother and an American father.
When he was one year old his family was forced to leave
war-torn Lebanon and moved to Paris. 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, which he later left to record his first
album.
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. His debut radio appearance was on Dermot O'Leary's
BBC Radio 2 show in September 2006, Later with Jools Holland
and on The Friday Night Project on January 19, 2007. He has
a vocal range of five octaves.
He chose the name Mika for his professional name because he
was frustrated with how often people would mispronounce
Mica.
In January 2007, he came top of BBC News's Sound of 2007
poll.
His first single was a limited 7"/download release called
"Relax, Take It Easy" (2006). 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 Store.
Universal Music released his single "Grace Kelly" by digital
download on January 8, 2007, and it reached number one on
the UK Singles Chart on January 21, 2007. The CD, 12", and
limited-edition 7" versions were released on January 29,
2007. The release features remixes by Tom Neville, 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, Mika's
début album Life in Cartoon Motion was released on February
5, 2007, and has brought comparison with artists such as
Freddie Mercury, Scissor Sisters, Elton John, Robbie
Williams and David Bowie.
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.
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).
Mika comes from a family of three girls and two boys. 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.
Although his "camp" performances have led to speculation
that he might be gay, Mika keeps his sexuality private. In
response to media speculation he has been quoted as saying,
"I never talk about anything to do with my sexuality. I just
don't think I need to. People ask me all the time. But I
just don't see the point." The quote continues, "In order to
survive I've kind of shut up different parts of my life, and
that's one of them, especially this early in my career."
He has brushed aside suggestions that he is steering clear
of sexual taboos in order to appeal to the American market,
pointing to the song "Billy Brown", which is about a man who
has a homosexual affair. He is quoted as saying, "If I was
worried about sexual taboos I certainly wouldn't have made
the record I made. It has nothing to do with that. It has
more to do with self-respect." |
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Other Information |
Born to a Lebanese mother and an American father, he is the
third of five children.
Singer who currently has a contract with Casablanca Records
and Universal Music.
His debut album "Life In Cartoon Motion" including the hit
single "Grace Kelly" reached #1 in the UK Album Charts
(February 2007).
Attended the Lycée Francais Charles de Gaulle, Westminster
School and Royal College of Music in London. |
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keep it up buddy
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Mika i lov yo so much yo are my favorte zinger. go mika!