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Mika (singer)

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Mica Penniman (born 18 August 1983 as Michael Holbrook Penniman), known by his stage name Mika (IPA [ˈmikə]), is a Lebanon-born, London-based singer who has a contract with Casablanca Records and Universal Music.

Mika

Early life

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.[1]

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. 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.[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). 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 (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[9] and for Jimmy Kimmel Live on Tuesday, March 27, 2007.[10]

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]

On Wednesday, April 4th, 2007, Mika performed in a concert that was streamed live via MSN Music.

Personal life

Mika comes from a family of three girls and two boys.[11] 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]

Although his "camp" performances have led to speculation that he might be gay,[12] 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."[13]

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."[14]

Discography

Albums

Album cover Album information
File:Mika-Lifeincartoonmotion.jpg Life in Cartoon Motion

Singles

Year Song UK UK D/L IRE CAN DK SWE GER POL RUS U.S. NOR FR D/L UWC BEL ITA ROM LAT EST AUS NZ FIN Album
2006 "Relax, Take It Easy" - 67 - - - 26 - 1 (4) 3 - - 1 (6) - - - - 9 2 - - - Life in Cartoon Motion
2007 "Grace Kelly" 1 (5) 1 (6) 1 (7) 3 2 3 4 19 78 57 1 2 4 2 1 5 2 1 2 2 5
"Lollipop" 59 - - - - - - - - - - 47 - - - - - - - - -
"Love Today" 38 34 - - - - - - - 92 - - - - - - - - - - -

Footnotes

  1. ^ a b "Triumph of a tortured soul". The Times. 2007-01-05. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ "Mika Fanclub: Mika on cover of Gay&Night".
  3. ^ "Singer Mika tops BBC talent". BBC News. 2007-01-04. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ "Mika uses Freddie's piano?". Metro. 2007-01-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ "Sound of 2007: Mika". BBC News. 2007-01-05. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ "Mika". The Guardian. 2006-12-07. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ "V is for victory - and for virtuoso". The Independent. 2007-03-01. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ a b c "Introducing the sound of 2007: Mika". Belfast Telegraph. 2007-01-23. Retrieved 2007-03-20. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help).
  9. ^ http://tv.yahoo.com/the-tonight-show-with-jay-leno/show/episode/127700
  10. ^ http://tv.yahoo.com/jimmy-kimmel-live/show/episode/127871
  11. ^ "Mika Interview". Music Glob. 2007-01-23. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ "Is Mika gay?". Gay.com UK & Ireland. 2007-02-08. Retrieved 2007-04-06. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ "Brit pop star won't say which way he swings". Pink News. 2007-01-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ Cameron Adams (2007-03-15). "Cartoon hero". Herald Sun. Retrieved 2007-04-06. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
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