Shinoda is also the co-founder of Machine Shop Records, a California-based record label. Outside of music, Shinoda is an artist and graphic designer. He has painted several pieces of artwork, some of which have been featured in the Japanese American National Museum.
Shinoda was born on February 11, 1977 in Agoura Hills, California, where he was raised. His father is Japanese. He has a younger brother named Jason. He was raised as a liberal Protestant. Shinoda's mother encouraged him to take classical piano lessons when he was six. By 13, he expressed the desire to move toward playing jazz, blues, and even hip-hop. He later added the guitar and rap-style vocals to his repertoire during his middle school and high school years.
Shinoda attended Agoura High School with Linkin Park bandmates Brad Delson and Rob Bourdon. The three formed the band Xero, and began to make a more serious attempt to pursue a career in the music industry. After graduating high school, Shinoda enrolled in the Art Center College of Design of Pasadena to study graphic design and illustration.[1] He attended classes with DJ and turntablist Joseph Hahn.
Shinoda has also served as a music producer for several other artists and groups. In 2002, Shinoda and Joe Hahn collaborated with the X-Ecutioners to produce and perform on their single "It's Goin' Down". Later in 2002, Shinoda and Brad Delson established their own record label, Machine Shop Recordings. He helped produce Lupe Fiasco's 2006 release, Food & Liquor. He extensively worked with Styles of Beyond between 2009 and 2012 to help produce Reseda Beach, which also features his instrumental and vocal contribution. In addition albums, Shinoda scored the MTV VMA's in 2005 and also worked with Ramin Djawadi to score the video game, Medal of Honor: Warfighter. In 2011, he collaborated with Joseph Trapanese to compose the score for the American release of The Raid: Redemption.
In 2004, he released a remixed single and animated music video of the 1990 Depeche Mode single, "Enjoy the Silence". In 2005, Shinoda hosted the Rock Phenomenon mixtape/remix CD with DJ Vlad and Roc Raida. The CD is the first (and to date, only) in DJ Vlad's Rock Phenomenon series (which itself is a spin-off of Vlad's Rap Phenomenon mixtape series), and features a mashup of Linkin Park's "Papercut", and David Banner's "Like a Pimp (Remix)". For the 2006 Grammy awards, Shinoda and Brad Delson assembled the mashup track of "Numb/Encore" and "Yesterday" by The Beatles to be performed live by rapper Jay-Z, Linkin Park and former Beatles singer Paul McCartney. Shinoda teamed up with former bandmate Mark Wakefield to record and release a single, "Barack Your World", in October 2008.
Shinoda contributed on the music for CNN original documentary television series, This is Life with Lisa Ling. Shinoda contributed for the title theme for American television series Into the Badlands.[64] Shinoda also provided the theme song for Noor Tagouri's A Woman's Job.
Shinoda is a third-generation Japanese American. His father and aunt were forced to live in a Japanese-American Internment Camp during World War II.
Shinoda married author Anna Hillinger in 2003. They have two children.
Shinoda was awarded with the Japanese American National Museum's Award of Excellence in 2006.[60] In 2009, Shinoda received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters (L.H.D.) from Art Center College of Design. East West Players honored Shinoda with a Visionary Award and dinner in 2010. He has also expressed an interest in politics. In September 2012, Shinoda started writing articles for The Big Issue in the UK and was the publication's U.S. election correspondent.
About You
Mike Shinoda Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All of a sudden it's about you now, oh
Even when it's not about you, about you
All of a sudden it's about you, oh
Even when it's not about you, about you
All of a sudden it's about you now, oh
Even when it's not about you, about you
All of a sudden it's about you (about you, about you, about you, about you)
This is that gather 'round it and wonder where I found it
This is that wake up make your agent have your tour re-routed
This is that drama comma pain and ain't no way around it
'Cause somehow still it's hard to know what I can say about it
I buckled up told myself to suck it up
I was scared to death to get up there and spill my fucking guts
I was saying pull your stupid self together buttercup
Get it crackin' 'Back in Black' until you have 'em 'Thunderstruck', but
Even when it's not about you, about you
All of a sudden it's about you now, oh
Even when it's not about you, about you
All of a sudden it's about you, about you
No, there's not a single thing that I can say
Not a single solitary, every meaning changes shape
Even when there's no connection back to you in any line
All of a sudden it's about you and it gets me every time, but
What the fuck is left to author anyway?
When I basically been writin' since the Raiders ran LA
I'm afraid that maybe I've said everything there is to say
Maybe I should make an exit while there're ways to get away
Can't find the words to a memory
But these are just words to a melody
Find something that works fits the symmetry
For only a quick broken remedy
And I'd give anything to choose
Pick out the words I bring home to you
How can I make do?
Put a smile on change my attitude
And even though it' not about you
Everything is all about you, all
All about you
Ooh, even when it's not about you, about you
All of a sudden it's about you now, ooh
Even when it's not about you, about you
All of a sudden it's about you now, ooh
Even when it's not about you, about you
All of a sudden it's about you now, ooh
Even when it's not about you, about you
All of a sudden it's about you (about you)
Even when it's not about you, about you
All of a sudden it's about you now, ooh
Even when it's not about you, about you
All of a sudden it's about you now
Even when it's not about you, about you
All of a sudden it's about you now, ooh
Even when it's not about you, about you
All of a sudden it's about you, about you, ohh
The song "About You" by Mike Shinoda feat. Blackbear is a track about how the memories of a person or relationship can impact someone's life even when they try to move on. The chorus repeats the line "Even when it's not about you, about you, all of a sudden it's about you now," which means that even though the current situation is not related to that person or relationship, it somehow still manages to remind and bring up those memories. It's frustrating and challenging to deal with because it's hard to escape the past.
In the verses, Mike Shinoda talks about the struggles of being an artist who has to deal with the constant scrutiny and opinions of others. He describes how he had to gather himself and push through his fears to perform, and even then, it's challenging to find the right words to convey his message. He feels like he's said everything already, and there's not much left to write about.
The pre-chorus mentions how memories can be challenging to articulate, and the chorus repeats, essentially echoing the idea that even if it's not related, everything seems to come back to that person. The chorus also emphasizes how overwhelming it can be, no matter how hard someone tries to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
Even when it's not about you, about you
Even though the topic doesn't involve you, it seems to become all about you
All of a sudden it's about you now, oh
Suddenly, everything relates back to you
This is that gather 'round it and wonder where I found it
This refers to something mysterious and intriguing, causing people to take interest
This is that wake up make your agent have your tour re-routed
This is a situation where you must take immediate action, even if it means changing plans for your tour
This is that drama comma pain and ain't no way around it
This is a situation that involves intense emotions and tough circumstances that cannot be avoided
'Cause somehow still it's hard to know what I can say about it
Despite the situation being all-encompassing, it's still hard to capture the right words to describe it
I buckled up told myself to suck it up
I prepared myself mentally and urged myself to overcome any doubts or fears
I was scared to death to get up there and spill my fucking guts
I was terrified to reveal my deepest thoughts and feelings to others
No, there's not a single thing that I can say
There's nothing I can say that will truly capture the situation
Not a single solitary, every meaning changes shape
Every word or phrase can be interpreted in a different way, altering its meaning
Even when there's no connection back to you in any line
Even if there's no logical connection to you in the lyrics or messages
All of a sudden it's about you and it gets me every time
Despite the lack of connection, it still becomes about you and it affects me every time
What the fuck is left to author anyway?
What more is there to say or write?
When I basically been writin' since the Raiders ran LA
I've been writing for a long time, back to when the Oakland Raiders were in LA
I'm afraid that maybe I've said everything there is to say
I worry that I've exhausted all my ideas and words
Maybe I should make an exit while there're ways to get away
Perhaps it's time to stop while I still have options and can escape the pressure
Can't find the words to a memory
Struggling to articulate or express a specific memory or experience
But these are just words to a melody
The lyrics are just part of a song and don't capture everything
Find something that works fits the symmetry
Trying to discover the right words that fit with the rhythm and tone of the song
For only a quick broken remedy
The lyrics can only provide a temporary and incomplete solution
And I'd give anything to choose
I would do anything to have more control over the situation or the lyrics
Pick out the words I bring home to you
Selecting the lyrics that I want to present to you or share with you
How can I make do?
How can I make the best of the situation or accept my limitations?
Put a smile on change my attitude
Trying to improve my mood and perspective
And even though it's not about you
Despite the situation having no direct relevance to you
Everything is all about you, all
In reality, everything seems to revolve around you
Ooh, even when it's not about you, about you
Even though the topic does not involve you, it still feels like it does
All of a sudden it's about you now, ooh
Suddenly, everything becomes about you and it's overwhelming
Even when it's not about you, about you
Even if the subject matter doesn't pertain to you, it still seems like it does
All of a sudden it's about you now
Out of nowhere, it shifts to being all about you
Even when it's not about you, about you
Despite the topic having no connection to you, it still feels like it does
All of a sudden it's about you now, ooh
Suddenly, it becomes all about you and it's difficult to handle
Even when it's not about you, about you
Even if the lyrics or situation are not directly related to you, it still feels like they are
All of a sudden it's about you, about you, ohh
All of a sudden, it's all about you and it's overwhelming or confusing
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Michael Shinoda, Matthew Tyler Musto, Aaron Curtis Harmon, Jordan Alexander Reyes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Beatriz-kj9up
Some comments here show me that ppl are missing the whole point of this song and heck, this whole album. This is not about Linkin Park coming back or not, these songs are the creative way Mike found to deal with HIS feelings about losing Chester. He's a human being that lost one of his best friends and as if that wasnt bad enough, he has to deal with the possibility of his life project (Linkin Park) ending for good and having the shadow over Chester's death and how he died casted upon him forever, with people making it about him everytime (i think this song is pretty clear about it). Have some goddamn empathy and support Mike and stop bothering him with Linkin Park questions. He needs to recover and do whats best for him and get back on his feet. I love Chester and i will always will, but Mike is here, he is his own person and he deserves better than this "oh its good but is not linkin park" shit.
@lpfanatik
That's exactly what I think...Mike is being very strong and grateful, despite this tragic situation. He will never forget Chester, just like us fans will never forget him. I'll buy Mike's album and I'll support him, definitely.
@heatherschafnitz6312
Yes! We all love Linkin Park but can we be human beings for a minute & let him grieve over the loss of his friend! People's comments about LP are too much! Mike's talented & needs to be recognized for how great he is.
@joe13LP
You could possibly be missing the point here as well. You pointed out his whole album is about dealing with Chester’s death, however this song may not even be about Chester, and you’ve made it about Chester, hence the meaning of the song. You could be right, but you’re doing what Mike has expressed as a major issue in this song. The way to stop it, is to enjoy the music, and don’t relate everything to LP and Chester. Just enjoy it while it’s still here.
@tawnyrachelle3085
Amen!!
@Beatriz-kj9up
I'm not making anything dude, Mike said himself in more than one occasion that this album is about his journey with grief. So yeah, is safe to assume that this song is about grief too but is not really about Chester, is about HIS (Mike's) loss, HIS feelings, HIS career... is not a tribute, is personal. I just watched an interview he did with KROQ which he says exactly whats on the song, that he can be having a normal day outside having ice cream with his family and then suddenly an LP song comes on and it gets him . And I'm complaining about people that are bugging him asking whether Linkin Park is coming back or not or saying the song is not the same without Chester... so how is it the same as making it about Chester? Its the opposite. I want people to understand that before LP, Mike Shinoda is an artist and he deserves to get his time and do his own music.
@brandonskibinski1364
One of the most underrated and underappreciated musicians of our time. One of the best out there today.
@dougmcguire3159
Brandon Skibinski And as versatile as it gets!
@young_nomad_
*The best
@JackinJam
most underrated? wtf XD