Fresh off the number one success of his debut US record "Break Your Heart," Taio Cruz was making the rounds at Winter Music Conference 2010 in Miami. As he was heading out of the Belvedere Vodka Music Lounge, we managed a quick interview before the crowd grew- quickly- around him.
DJ Ron Slomowicz: Congratulations on your success in the US.
Taio Cruz: Thank you.
RS: Crossing from the UK to the US is not the easiest thing, how
do you think you have achieved this?
Taio Cruz: Just hard work, dedication, and hopefully a good song.
RS: "Break Your Heart" is amazing. They added Ludacris for the
US, what was your reaction to that?
Taio Cruz: It was kind of my idea. I thought it would be cool to
have someone that you guys know over here so my name doesn’t come off
too alien, and it’s got someone that people would know and recognize
along with my name. He's awesome and always puts down a great verse,
and he did exactly the same on this record.
RS: The remixes are sick, the Wideboys mix especially. Were you
involved with the remixes?
Taio Cruz: I wasn't the one producing them or anything, but I
definitely was involved. My manager’s amazing with picking good
remixes and the Wideboys' is absolutely my favorite remix so far.
RS: Very cool. What's your next song for the US?
Taio Cruz: A song called "Dirty Picture" featuring Ke$ha and it's
going to be really cool. Anyone who likes the electro vibe that I've
been doing so far is going to have another treat.
RS: Is there a video coming for it?
Taio Cruz: Yes, we've just finished the video, it’s in postproduction
at the moment so it should be up on YouTube and TV and everything in
about a week or so.
RS: Any story behind it?
Taio Cruz: The song itself is just a party song and the video matches
that. It’s set in a good underground club that’s the coolest club
you're attending and everyone wishes they could be there.
RS: Have you actually met Ke$ha in person?
Taio Cruz: Absolutely, yes. I met her, funnily enough, for the first
time on the video shoot.
RS: She's from Nashville, from where I'm from, so I just had to ask.
Taio Cruz: Yes.
RS: What would you like to say to all the Americans out there?
Taio Cruz: I’d just like to say thank you very much for receiving me
so well, for making my first single number one and yes, and hopefully
I can continue to give them good music that they’ll enjoy.
Interview conducted March 2010.