Titanium was a New Zealand pop boy band formed in Auckland in 2012 from the winners of The Edge radio station's competition to create New Zealand's first authentic boy band. The Edge radio station hosted auditions across New Zealand and eventually six young men were selected: Zac Taylor, Andrew Papas, Jordi Webber, Shaquille Paranihi-Ngauma, Haydn Linsley and T.K Paradza. They released their debut single, "Come On Home", which debuted at number one on the official New Zealand Singles Chart on 17 September 2012.[1] Titanium released its debut studio album, All For You in December 2012. It became the first New Zealand band to have three songs in the Top 40 Singles Chart at one time.
Titanium | |
|---|---|
| Origin | New Zealand |
| Genres | Pop |
| Years active | 2012-2016 |
| Members | Haydn Linsley Shaquille Paranihi-Ngauma TK Paradza Zac Taylor |
| Past members | Andrew Papas Jordi Webber |
History
edit2012: Formation
editThe Edge radio station began a nationwide search to find six young men to form a boy band. Auditions were held across New Zealand. Ten finalists were chosen and sent to "Boyband Camp". At the end of the week public voting for the guys opened and in conjunction with a panel of experts from The Edge, Illegal Musik and Warner Music the final six members were announced and became Titanium. Shortly after releasing their first single "Come On Home" which debuted at number one, the band announced a 15-date Come On Home Tour.
Titanium then went on to support American band Hot Chelle Rae as supporting acts for their New Zealand leg of the "Whatever World Tour", at Vector Arena. The concerts also featured The X Factor contestant and recording artist, Cher Lloyd. After the tour concluded in October 2012, the group continued working on their debut album, recording took place in Auckland, as Titanium worked with producers including Vince Harder.
Titanium's debut studio album All For You was released worldwide on Friday, 7 December 2012. The official second single, "I Won't Give Up" was released to iTunes on 19 October 2012. On 5 November 2012, Titanium made New Zealand music chart history when they became the first New Zealand band to have three singles simultaneously in the official New Zealand Singles Chart.
2013-2014: Commercial success, Mariah Carey tour
editIn 2013, Titanium signed a managing deal with Mike Cammarata who is the manager of American boy band Big Time Rush. Titanium's All For You album was released in Australia on 4 October 2013, under the title All For You 2.0.[2]
In November 2014, the boy-band was the opening act for Mariah Carey on the New Zealand stop of her world tour, The Elusive Chanteuse Show, at Vector Arena in Auckland.[3][4]
2015-2016: Move to the United States
editIn May 2015 the band moved to Atlanta, Georgia to continue to record and release music as a four-piece.
Musical style
editTitanium's music style contains elements of teen pop, dance-pop, and R&B influences. Songs "Come On Home" and "Sky" were particularly noted by music critics for the genres of pop and dance, for their "powerhouse" vocals and "catchy" choruses.[citation needed] The band demonstrates influences from American boy bands Boyz II Men, 'N Sync and the Backstreet Boys but also other influential artists such as Michael Jackson and Beyoncé.[5]
Members
editFinal members
editZac Taylor born in 1993 is from Whakatane, New Zealand.[6] is a performer with roots in music and theater. He gained early recognition in "The Voice of McDonald's" competition in Orlando, Florida[7] and later served as a guest judge in Hong Kong. After his time with Titanium, Zac moved from Atlanta to Sydney, Australia, to pursue a solo music career. His debut tracks, including "Stay In The Night," "Lay," and "Letting You Go," garnered over 3 million streams, with "LAY" charting in New Zealand.[8] Recently, Zac has shifted his focus to film and television, studying at the Howard Fine School of Acting[9] and other institutions in Australia.
Shaquille Paranihi-Ngauma (youngest of the band) was born in 1993 is from Gisborne lived in Hamilton, New Zealand.
Haydn Linsley born in 1993 is originally from Bristol, England and lived in Palmerston North, New Zealand.[10] Before joining the boy band he was a full-time student and part-time barista. Linsley's grandfather is Tony Hatch, composer of the Neighbours theme tune and Petula Clark's "Downtown" among many others. Linsley is currently a vocalist for Rotorua based Reggae-Rock band Tyneegiant, which includes members of the popular Reggae band 1814. Tyneegiant have performed at NZs biggest Reggae festival 'One Love' and are about to release their debut album, 'We are Coming'.
TK Paradza was born and raised in Shurugwi and is from Masvingo Province in Zimbabwe. His family immigrated to New Zealand when his father fled the country as a refugee in 2006 and are now living in Wellington, New Zealand.[11] Before joining the group, TK was studying at Victoria University of Wellington and had released his album project Wallpaper through band camp and SoundCloud in 2012. His YouTube follow up Catch me, brought him some attention on social media and on The Erin Simpson Show and went on to join the group Titanium shortly after. TK has now gone back to continue his studies at Victoria University of Wellington.
Past members
editJordi Webber left in 2013 when the band relocated to the United States, and went solo. He is known internationally for playing Aiden "Levi Weston" Romero/Ninja Steel Gold Ranger in Power Rangers Ninja Steel (2017–18).[12][13][14][15]
Andrew Papas left the group in 2014.
Production
editVince Harder wrote Titanium's debut single "Come On Home" which received double platinum status in New Zealand and Australia. Harder was born and raised in West Auckland, New Zealand. He has also played the lead role as 'Simba' in the Australian stage production of The Lion King. In 2005, he came third in the Australian TV version of The X Factor, beating over 100,000 people who originally auditioned for a place in the finals.
Discography
edit- All for You (2012)
Concert tours
edit- Come On Home Tour (2012)
- Whatever World Tour (2012)
- Teen Rush Tour (Australia 2013)
- Tattoos World Tour (2014) (opening acts for Jason Derulo)
- Take Us Back Tour (2014)
- The Elusive Chanteuse Show world tour (2014) (opening acts for Mariah Carey)
Awards
editNowie Awards
editThe Nowie Awards is a kids choice awards show voted by the youth public of New Zealand.
| Year | Nominated | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Titanium | Best Breakthrough Artist | Won |
New Zealand Music Awards
editThe New Zealand Music Awards (VNZMA) is an annual New Zealand music awards show.
| Year | Nominated | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Titanium | Vodafone People's Choice Award | Nominated |
Merchandise
editThe Collateral Company was enlisted to produce Titanium branded merchandise that was given away at events and radio promotions. Merchandise included custom designed metal dog tags and a range of branded wristbands.
Filmography
edit| Television | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2012 | 20/20[16] | Themselves | Titanium were formed by radio station The Edge |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Official New Zealand Top 40 Singles for 17 Sep 2012.
- ^ "iTunes - Music - All For You 2.0 (Deluxe Edition) by Titanium". Itunes.apple.com. 4 October 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
- ^ "The Elusive Chanteuse Show". Concert Archives. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
- ^ "Mariah's Mighty NZ Debut". Gay Express. 14 November 2014. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
- ^ Unterberger, Andrew (6 February 2014). "Happy New Zealand Day! 10 NZ Artists Who Could Make A Lorde-Like Leap". Billboard. New York. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
- ^ "Zac from Whakatane - Boyband - The Edge Boy Band - Win". The Edge. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
- ^ https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/zac-sets-off-on-a-life-changing-journey-to-the-us/VEELPUSTVAP3ZB53KBLMJBA5XM/
- ^ https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/hotnzsingles?chart=5211
- ^ https://www.howardfinestudio.com.au/graduate-testimonials/zac-taylor-part-time-program
- ^ "Haydn from Palmerston North - Boyband - The Edge Boy Band - Win". The Edge. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
- ^ "TK from Wellington - Boyband - The Edge Boy Band - Win". The Edge. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
- ^ "Power Rangers Ninja Steel Gold Ranger Actor Revealed". Herotaku.com. 20 February 2017. Archived from the original on 19 March 2017. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
- ^ "Power Rangers Ninja Steel - Gold Ranger's First Morph and Scene (Episode 7 "Hack Attack")". Rumors.trendolizer.com. Archived from the original on 19 March 2017. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
- ^ "Download Video: Power Rangers Ninja Steel - My Friend, Redbot - Madame Odius and the Gold Ranger (Episode 6) - Tooxclusive". Tooxclusive.rapbaze.com. 4 March 2017. Retrieved 26 March 2017.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Power Rangers Ninja Steel Introduces Gold Ranger". Power Rangers Now. 18 March 2017. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
- ^ "20/20: October 25 - 20 20 News". TVNZ. 26 October 2012. Retrieved 10 August 2014.