Mike Shinoda

Mike Shinoda is one of the founding members of the alt-rock band Linkin Park, and continues as the group’s lead man. Starting out with two high school friends Brad Delson and Rob Bourdon in 1996, Shinoda formed the band Xero and continued to play with them through graduation. They changed their name to Linkin Park upon signing a recording contract with Warner Bros Records. Their 2000 album “Hybrid Theory” was their breakthrough success as worldwide certified multi-platinum, and their subsequent six albums, as of this writing, have continued to top record charts worldwide. Linkin Park has won six American Music Awards, a Billboard Music Award, and two Grammy Awards.

Along with Linkin Park, Mike Shinoda also has started up a side project band Fort Minor, and done some solo work. He has collaborated with bands including the X-Ecutioners, Handsome Boy Modeling School, Lupe Fiasco, and Depeche Mode. He has also contributed to scores and soundtracks for film and video games. Shinoda attended Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, to study graphic design and has occasionally dabbled in the visual arts as well as music.