Michael Kenji Shinoda

Michael Kenji Shinoda was born on February 11, 1977, to a Japanese father and a Russian-Hungarian mother, in Agoura Hills, California. He is a descendant of the Romantic-era composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Shinoda was raised a liberal P

Michael Kenji Shinoda was born on February 11, 1977, to a Japanese father and a Russian-Hungarian mother, in Agoura Hills, California. He is a descendant of the Romantic-era composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Shinoda was raised a liberal Protestant but it is unknown as to whether or not he continues to practice his religion. He is best known for his roles as the emcee, rhythm guitarist and keyboardist for the alternative/nu metal band Linkin Park, as well as for his role as the mastermind behind the Linkin Park hip hop side-project Fort Minor.

Shinoda's first exposure to the music business came during his middle-high school years, when he attended a concert featuring Anthrax and Public Enemy. After that, he began taking piano lessons, studying classical piano techniques and later moved on to jazz and hip hop. Shinoda attended the Agoura High School with his fellow Linkin Park bandmates Brad Delson and Rob Bourdon, as well as with members of the bands Incubus and Hoobastank. In high school, he experimented with hip hop beats using an old beat machine. Following his graduation, he formed a band called Xero with Delson and Bourdon, which would later become Linkin Park.