- published: 05 Oct 2012
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Timothy McKenzie (born 1 April 1989, Hackney, London), better known by his stage name Labrinth, is an English singer-songwriter and record producer. McKenzie is signed to Simon Cowell's label Syco, becoming the first non-talent show signing in six years. Initially, he was tipped to work as a producer, but Cowell signed him as a solo act.
Labrinth made his debut appearance on the UK Singles Chart in March 2010, when his collaboration with British rapper Tinie Tempah "Pass Out" reached number one. His first solo single "Let the Sun Shine" was released in September 2010, reaching number three in the same chart. His debut album Electronic Earth was released on 2 April 2012, having been preceded by the singles "Earthquake" featuring Tinie Tempah and "Last Time", which peaked at number two and number four respectively.
McKenzie attended Stoke Newington School and became interested in a musical career during his school years. He comes from a music family consisting of nine siblings and grew up at home surrounded almost exclusively by the sound of American gospel music. His brother, Mac.1, is also a producer, and introduced McKenzie to the art of creating music in his studio, at the age of 15. Labrinth initially started his career by producing the track "Dead End" for British recording artist Master Shortie from the album A.D.H.D. (2009). The track generated interest in McKenzie as a producer and songwriter, entailing Guy Moot of EMI Music Publishing to offer the artist a publishing deal.
Maxwell George "Max" Schneider (born June 21, 1992) is an American singer, dancer, actor, model and musician. He began performing at the age of three. Since then, he has performed on Broadway,[citation needed], television, modeled with Madonna, and is now co-starring on the Nickelodeon series How to Rock.
While on Broadway, Max Schneider starred in the musical 13 as an understudy for the roles of Brett, Malcolm, Richie, and Simon. After Broadway, and while still in High School, Max guest starred in "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (TV series) as Justin McTeague in the episode "Lead". He then appeared as a Principal Dancer in " One Life to Live" (TV series) and on their promotional episode on "The View". In 2010 Max graduated with honors from Professional Performing Arts (PPAS) High School in NYC and was granted a scholarship in musical theatre to NYU/Tisch (New Studio on Broadway). While at NYU/Tisch, Max was cast as "Lance" in the feature film, THE LAST KEEPERS, and took a leave of absence to pursue his acting career.
Anoop Desai (born December 20, 1986) is an American singer-songwriter best known for his time as a contestant on the eighth season of American Idol. Motivated by the death of his friend Eve Carson, Desai auditioned for American Idol. Desai made American Idol history by being the first ever 13th finalist on American Idol. Favored to win by celebrities including Ellen DeGeneres and Keith Urban, Desai achieved a sixth place finish, becoming the second Indian American to advance to the final stages of American Idol.
Desai, an only child, was born in Cary, North Carolina. His family moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in 1998. He went to Fuller GT Magnet Elementary School in Raleigh, North Carolina. His parents both work in North Carolina’s Research Triangle. Desai’s father was born in India, and his mother, also of Indian descent, was born in South Africa.
In the 1990s, Desai appeared on the WRAL-TV (NC Triangle) television children's show, "CentralXpress.com", and played the character "Raj". The show won multiple awards, including seven regional Emmys, two national Iris awards, and a national Gabriel Award.