Timati
Background information
Birth name	Timur Ildarovich Yunusov
Born	(1983-08-15) August 15, 1983 (age 28) Moscow, Soviet Union
Genres	Contemporary R&B, hip hop Electro Dance
Labels	Black Star inc. Timati
Associated acts	Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, Diddy - Dirty Money, Xzibit, Fat Joe, Laurent Wolf, Mario Winans, Big Ali, Scott Storch, DJ Antoine, Kalenna Harper, Eve
Website	www.timatimusic.com

Timur Ildarovich Yunusov (born August 15, 1983), better known by his stage name Timati (Russian: Ти́мати), is a Russian rapper and actor.

Biography[link]

Early life[link]

Timur Ildarovich Yunusov (Russian: Тиму́р Ильда́рович Юну́сов) was born on August 15, 1983 in Moscow, Soviet Union to an ethnically mixed family^[1] of Tatar father Ildar Yunusov and Jewish mother Simona Yunusova (née Chervomorskaya), he also has a younger brother, Artyom. His current stage name "Timati" has stuck with him since he was young.^[2] Yunusov lived in Los Angeles for 5 years, and now he lives in Moscow. At the urgent request of his grandfather, composer and conductor Yakov Chervomorsk, Timur has graduated from a violin class at the four-year music school.^[3] State University - Higher School of Economics, but dropped out in his third year.^[2] He later became associated with the YPS squad. First single came out with Konaldo.

Career[link]

He became well known to the Russian community from the music reality show Star Factory 4, but before it he collaborated with Detsl. Member of the group Banda (Russian: Банда; lit. "Gang") and co-founder of VIP 77. Ex-owned B-Club nightclub, the bar Black October and the stores Ё-Life. Also is the CEO of his own label called "Black Star Inc". In 2006, was featured in Heat produced by Fyodor Bondarchuk. In 2008, Timati was featured in a Fat Joe song called "Put U Take It", also featuring Nox and Raul, produced by Scott Storch, which references Jacob Arabo. In 2008 Mario Winans featured Timati in the single "Forever". Timati, in 2009, featured Snoop Dogg in the single "Groove On".

Michael 'Mike' David is currently Timati's UK producer. Responsible for the collaboration of Timati with foreign artists, such as Snoop Dogg and Mario Winans, he is responsible for much of Timati's Western popularity.

In Summer 2011 he topped most European charts with a single "Welcome to St. Tropez" vs. DJ Antoine and feat. Kalenna Harper from Diddy - Dirty Money, shortly after winning in nomination for the best clip in Russia's Capital Moscow with a soundtrack "I'm on You" feat. P Diddy. The clip was created by Timati's old friend and partner Pavel Hoodyakov on the East Coast of U.S. In June 2011 there has been a rumour that Timati aka Mr Black Star is planning to work with Shakira although so far there hasn't been any official information.

One of the most popular rappers of Russia is not willing to stop and has a desire to be known well-known worldwide. Evidently "the Black Russian" received a Twitter confirmation of his popularity. Timati is also ready to "throw" the USA edition of his 2nd album "The Boss" in which he promised to add some new tracks which has not been released before.

English songs[link]

• Put U Take It (feat. Fat Joe, Nox & Raul) (Scott Storch prod.)
• Got Damn (feat. Laurent Wolf)
• Foreign Exchange (feat. S.A.S & Cam'ron & Fler)
• Limb By Limb (feat. Xzibit)
• Sexy Bitch (feat. Kalenna Harper from Diddy - Dirty Money)
• Forever (feat. Mario Winans)
• Get Money (feat. Nox) (Scott Storch prod.)
• Groove On (feat. Snoop Dogg)
• Groove On (remix) (feat. Snoop Dogg & Big Ali)
• Love You (feat. Busta Rhymes & Mariya)
• Party Animal (feat. DJ M.E.G.)
• I'm on You (feat. P.Diddy & Dirty Money)
• Welcome to St. Tropez (feat. DJ Antoine & Kalenna)
• Money in the Bank (feat. Eve)
• Amanama (Money) (feat. DJ Antoine)
• Happy Birthday (feat. DJ Antoine & Mad Mark & Scotty G)
• Hollywood (feat. Evii)
• Top Of The World
• Moscow to California (feat. DJ M.E.G. & Sergey Lazarev)
• Fantasy (feat. Aida) (Timbaland prod.)
• 8 Days a week (feat. Jean Roch)
• Sex in the Bathroom (feat. Craig David)
• My Life (feat. Matisse & Sadko)
• Not all about the money (feat. Grooya / La La Land & Timbaland)
• Got damn (feat. Laurent Wolf) (remix by Michael Yusher)
• Be my girl
• Love to Love (feat. Victoria Kimani)
• Last call (feat. Music Hayk)
• Tonight
• Lonely
• Get Money (feat. MIMS & MANN)
• Boomerang

Videos[link]

Russian[link]

• 2004: Heavens cry (Плачут небеса) (With Ratmir & Dominick Jocker)
• 2004: New people (Новые люди) (With Banda)
• 2005: Men's season (Мужской сезон) (With Banda)
• 2006: When you're nearby (Когда ты рядом) (With Alexa)
• 2006: In the club (В клубе) (With DJ Dlee)
• 2006: The Heat (Жара) (With Nasty)
• 2007: Wait (Дождись) (With Uma2rman)
• 2007: My way (Мой путь) (With Ratmir)
• 2007: Dance (Потанцуй) (With Ksenia Sobchak)
• 2007: Carmen (Кармен) (With Lola)
• 2008: Lazerboy (With Sergey Lazarev)
• 2008: Do not go mad (Не сходи с ума)
• 2008: Dirty Bitches (Грязные Шлюшки) (With Titomir, Tuman, Geegun)
• 2008: My Moscow (Моя Москва) (With DJ Smash)
• 2008: Forever (Russian version) (With Mario Winans)
• 2009: Welcome to St. Tropez (With Bluemarine)
• 2009: Сlassmate (Одноклассница) (With Geegun)
• 2010: Time (Время) (With B.K.)
• 2010: SSL (Сколько Стоит Любовь)
• 2010: I will wait (Я буду ждать)
• 2011: Tricks (Фокусы) (With DJ Smash)
• 2011: Top Of The World (На краю земли)
• 2011: Be Yourself (Будь собой) (With #BSM
• 2012: Requiem for love (Реквием по любви) (with Grigory Leps)
• 2012: Rock Star (Рок Стар)

English[link]

• 2008: Forever (English version) (With Mario Winans)
• 2009: Groove On (With Snoop Dogg)
• 2009: Groove On (Remix) (With Snoop Dogg & Big Ali)
• 2009: Love You (With Busta Rhymes & Mariya)
• 2010: Party Animal (With DJ M.E.G.)
• 2010: I'm on You (With Diddy - Dirty Money)
• 2011: Money in the Bank (With Eve)
• 2012: I'm on You(DJ Antoine vs Mad Mark RMX) (With Diddy-Dirty Money & Dj Antoine)
• 2012: Moscow to California (feat. DJ M.E.G. & Sergey Lazarev)

Discography[link]

Solo

• Black Star (2006)
• The Boss (2009)
• SWAGG (2012)

Collaboration albums

• New People (2004) - with Banda
• The Album (2006) - with VIP 77

Singles[link]

Awards[link]

Russian Music Awards MTV[link]

• Best Hip-Hop Artist - 2007 (nominated)
• Best Hip-Hop Artist - 2008 (nominated)
• Best Artist - 2008 (nominated)
• Best Male Act - 2008 (nominated)

MUZ-TV Awards[link]

• Best Hip-Hop Artist - 2009 (nominated)
• Best Hip-Hop Artist - 2010 (won)
• Best Album "The Boss" - 2010 (won)
• Best Video "Love You" - 2010 (won)
• Best Video "I'm on You" - 2011 (won)

Europe Music Awards MTV[link]

• Best Russian Act - 2009 (nominated)
• Best Russian Act - 2010 (nominated)
• Best Russian Act - 2011 (nominated)

Filmography[link]

• 2004: Countdown
• 2006: Arthur and the Minimoys
• 2006: Heat
• 2007: Surf's Up
• 2008: Albania!
• 2008: Monday Twist

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Timati

• Official website (Russian)
• Timati | Shop | Merch Boutique
• Timati | Features Artist | Global Hit Music
• Timati on Myspace
• Timati at the Internet Movie Database
• Timati at MTV
• Belugina, Jana (2009-04-22). "Bling-bling party in Tallinn". The Baltic Times. http://www.baltictimes.com/news/articles/22770/. Retrieved 2009-06-14. 
• Malpas, Anna (2008-11-28). "In the Spotlight". The Moscow Times. http://www.moscowtimes.ru/arts/2008/11/28/372729.htm. Retrieved 2009-06-14. 
• Malpas, Anna (2007-11-16). "In the Spotlight". The St. Petersburg Times. http://www.times.spb.ru/index.php?action_id=2&story_id=22254. Retrieved 2009-06-14. 
• "Russian Rap on the Riviera". Russia Today. 2008-05-19. http://www.russiatoday.com/Art_and_Fun/2008-05-19/Russian_Rap_on_the_Riviera.html?fullstory. Retrieved 2009-06-14. 

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (August 2008)

Mario Winans is an American R&B singer, songwriter, music producer, and multi-instrumentalist. Born Mario Brown, he is the son of gospel recording artist Vickie Winans (née Bowman) and her first husband, Bishop Ronald Brown. He is also the stepson of his mother's second husband, gospel singer, Pastor Marvin Winans whom she married in 1978. Marvin and Vickie Winans had a son, Marvin Winans Jr. (Mario's half brother.) Vickie and Marvin Winans divorced in 1995 and she has since remarried.

Mario Winans began learning piano, keyboards, and drums while still in grade school in Detroit, Michigan and learned how to work in a recording studio at an early age. He began producing gospel music professionally after graduating high school, eventually working with gospel music artists Fred Hammond, The Clark Sisters and various members of the Winans gospel music family.

Musical career[link]

This biographical section of an article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (July 2008)

[edit] Story of My Heart: (1995–1997)

In the mid-1990s, Mario was signed to a production deal with Dallas Austin's Rowdy Records thru producers Tim & Bob. He lived with the duo at their house studio until his breakthrough came as a Christian songwriter, musician and co-producer on R. Kelly's "I Can't Sleep Baby" and "You Remind Me Of Something" (plus three more songs) from the R. Kelly album in 1995. He also worked with Pebbles and 98 Degrees.

Winans eventually released his debut album Story of my Heart on Motown in 1997. While the song "Don't Know" reached the US R&B top 50, the album failed to chart.

Soon after, Winans teamed up with P. Diddy and his Bad Boy roster, playing drums on "Come With Me" by Diddy and Jimmy Page, based on the classic Led Zeppelin song "Kashmir" from their 1975 album Physical Graffiti.

Over the next several years Winans amassed a sizeable list of production credits for Bad Boy artists including Diddy, The Notorious B.I.G., Lil' Kim, Faith Evans, Loon, Black Rob, and 112. He has also worked with notable artists outside Bad Boy including Destiny's Child, Mary J. Blige, Whitney Houston, Jennifer Lopez, Ice Cube, Tamia, and Brian McKnight.

Winans co-wrote the 2-part song "I Need a Girl" with P. Diddy and appeared on the "Pt. 2" version with Loon, Ginuwine, and Diddy, which became a hit recording in 2002. He also produced the Bad Boy remix compilation We Invented The Remix in 2002.

[edit] Hurt No More: (2001–2005)

Winans recorded his second album Hurt No More in 2001, 2002, and 2003 in between his busy schedule working with other artists. The album is based on stories of love and betrayal.

The first single "I Don't Wanna Know" was based on a sample of the Fugees' 1996 hit single "Ready Or Not", which itself was based on a slowed-down sample of the instrumental track "Boadicea" by Enya from her 1987 self-titled album. Enya and her representatives became angry since Winans did not seek her approval for the sample, as he was unaware that the Fugees sample he had used had itself been a sample. So, a compromise was reached to credit the single as "Mario Winans featuring P. Diddy and Enya". ^[1] The song features a rap by P. Diddy and radio programmers and club DJs started playing the track when it started appearing on mixtapes. The song was released as the single in early 2004 and became a worldwide hit going to #1 in Germany and on the rhythmic top 40 radio chart in the United States; to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, on the US R&B/Hip-Hop singles chart, and on the world internet download charts; and to #3 on a composite world R&B chart (based on the R&B charts in the US, UK, Germany, France, and Australia) and on both the Australian and Norwegian singles charts. It also reached the top ten on a composite European singles chart.

Hurt No More was released on April 20, 2004 in the US and, by early June 2004, had reached #1 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, #2 on the Billboard 200, and #3 on the UK's album chart.

The album's second single, "Never Really Was", used a sample of the orchestrated beginning of Madonna's 1986 hit, "Papa Don't Preach", as its background music. However, the song failed to chart in America. A remix version was released as a single featuring rapper Lil Flip.

The song "This is the Thanks I Get" began to chart on billboard and was stated to be the album's third and final single but no official release was set. The song went on to peak on Billboards R&B Chart at #112.

[edit] My Purpose: (2006–Present)

Winans appeared on Diddy's album, Press Play producing, writing and singing on "Through The Pain (She Told Me)" and the hit single "Last Night" with Keyshia Cole. "Last Night" was originally intended for his own album, which he had apparently been recording for release in 2007, this never occurred.

Winans also recently executive produced Diddy's new Dirty Money album "Last Train To Paris" which was released in late 2010 and Trey Songz' 2010 single "Can't Be Friends" which has topped the American R'n'B charts for over 10 weeks.

In May 2011, Winans stated that his third studio album titled "My Purpose" would drop in Summer 2011.

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

Singles[link]

As featured performer[link]

Non-singles[link]

• "Put Ya Arm Around Me" (#16 US, #7 UK)
• "Thanks I Get"
• "Mr Cool" (Tamia ft. Mario Winans)
• "Get Away" (Rick Ross ft. Mario Winans)
• "Ridin" (Belly ft. Mario Winans)
• "Rock the Party" (Benzino ft. Mario Winans)
• "Save Your Love" (Mams Taylor ft. Mario Winans & Stephen Michael)
• "Ever Wonder" (Faith Evans ft. Mario Winans)
• "This One That One" (DJ King SamS ft. Mario Winans & Brisco )

Videos[link]

• "Don't Know"
• "Don't Know (Remix)" (Featuring: Mase)
• "I Don't Wanna Know" (Featuring: P.Diddy)
• "Never Really Was" (Featuring: Lil' Flip)
• "I Need a Girl Part.II" (Featuring: Ginuwine)
• "You're the One" (guest appearance)
• "Down 4 Me" (guest appearance)
• "Best Friend" (guest appearance)
• "Rock the Party" (guest appearance)
• "Through the Pain (She Told Me)" (guest appearance)
• "Tell Me" (guest appearance with Piero Esteriore)
• "Ridin" (guest appearance)
• "Forever" (guest appearance feat. Timati)
• "Dream" (guest appearance feat. Massiv)
• "Mine" (feat. Sahara)

Awards and nominations[link]

• Grammy Awards
  • 2005, Best Contemporary R&B Album: Hurt No More (Nominated)
• Image Awards
  • 2005, Outstanding New Artist: Hurt No More (Nominated)
• MOBO Awards
  • 2004, Best Song: "I Don't Wanna Know" (Nominated)
  • 2004, Best Ringtone: "I Don't Wanna Know" (Winner)
• Vibe Awards
  • 2004, R&B Song of the Year: "I Don't Wanna Know" (Nominated)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Mario Winans at Billboard.com
• Allmusic Mario Winans article^{[dead link]}
• VH1 Mario Winans page
• Mario Winans on Myspace
• Bad Boy Online