Taio Cruz (pronounced Tie-oh Cruise) (born 23 April 1983) is a Brit Award winning and MOBO-nominated English singer-songwriter, occasional rapper, and music producer. In 2008 he released his debut album Departure which he arranged and produced himself. In October 2009, he released his follow up album Rokstarr which includes his number one single "Break Your Heart". In between the two albums and at present, Cruz has been working on productions and writing songs for Cheryl Cole, Brandy Norwood and the Sugababes. He is the founder and C.E.O. of Rokstarr Music London, which in 2006 released his debut single "I Just Wanna Know". Also in 2006, he signed a joint-venture partnership deal with UMusic Companies, Republic Records and Island Records. In the UK, Cruz has worked with many artists including Omar, Nitin Sawhney, Wookie, and Will Young. Following the success of his own singles, record label chief Simon Cowell approached Cruz to write and produce tracks for Alexandra Burke, Leona Lewis and Shayne Ward. At the 2008 MOBO Awards he was nominated for best single for the song "She's Like A Star" and performed the single alongside the Sugababes who feature on the official remix of the song.