Music Career

Mike Shinoda is an American musician, singer, songwriter, rapper, record producer, and graphic designer. He is best known as the co-lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and keyboardist of the rock band Linkin Park. He also serves as a solo artist, and is the founder and manager of Machine Shop Recordings. Shinoda has released two solo albums, The Rising Tied (2005) under the banner of Fort Minor, and Post Traumatic (2018).

Early Life

Shinoda was born on February 11, 1977 in Agoura Hills, California. He was raised in the Los Angeles suburb of Agoura Hills by his mother Linda, a dentist's assistant; father Joe; and older brother Jason. He is of Japanese ethnicity, with both his parents being Japanese-American. He has also said that his father is an Irish-American.

Career with Linkin Park

Shinoda initially served as a vocalist and rapper in Linkin Park. In addition to his work as a musician and songwriter for Linkin Park, he is also a record producer for the band, programming tracks for their albums. In 2003, he produced Fort Minor's debut album The Rising Tied. In 2005, he released another album with Fort Minor called We Major.

Solo Career

In 2018, Shinoda released his first solo album Post Traumatic. The album was inspired by the death of fellow Linkin Park member Chester Bennington in July 2017. The album peaked at number three on the US Billboard 200 chart.

Personal Life

Shinoda married Anna Hillinger on May 28th 2003. Hillinger starred in several music videos for Linkin Park's early singles. The couple have two children together.

Discography

The Rising Tied (2005), Post Traumatic (2018)