Mike Shinoda, who was born in Los Angeles in 1977, is a founding member of the US rock band Linkin Park. They gained significant recognition in the 2000s as one of the leading bands in the nu-metal genre. In the late 90s, they developed a dedicated online fanbase and their popularity expanded into the mainstream with the release of their debut album, Hybrid Theory, in 2000. This album has become one of the top-selling albums of all time. After producing seven albums with Linkin Park, Shinoda released his first solo album, Post Traumatic, featuring songs written after the tragic death of Linkin Park co-frontman Chester Bennington in 2017. His new EP, The Crimson Chapter, is currently available.
At the time this picture was taken, I was 25 years old and behind the scenes of a US tour. During that period, I noticed a contrast between how I behaved in social situations with my friends versus how I presented myself during photoshoots or while performing with Linkin Park. Like many other artists, I adopted a certain persona as a way to protect myself. I wasn’t completely comfortable being in the spotlight, so I developed a specific manner of interacting with people. Looking back at the photos from that time, I can see that I appeared more confident, almost as if I was trying to imitate the rappers I admired growing up, such as Public Enemy. Thankfully, I have since become more comfortable and have let go of that facade.
If I were left to my own devices, I would simply stand still for a photo. However, after having countless pictures taken for various publications, photographers would request more unique poses. I was open to relatively tame poses like this, but photographers often wanted more bizarre shots: “Act silly!”; “Can you jump off this thing?”; “Can you make a silly face?” I quickly realized that out of 100 normal photos and one silly one, the silly one would be chosen for the cover. We would get frustrated and eventually learned to refuse these requests. If they asked us to do something crazy, we would simply say no.
During this time, my memories are not very clear, but we were definitely experiencing a lot of success. We were on a large tour and promoting our second album, Meteora, while also recording it. We traveled to various cities around the world for 18 months without taking any breaks. I was rarely at home, to the point where I ended up letting go of my apartment lease. My belongings were put into storage and when I returned, I would stay with my girlfriend. I was still inexperienced about the world, but it was a transformative experience to try new foods, see different architecture, and immerse myself in other cultures.
Although the size of our group had increased, our focus remained the same: curating and conveying our message while constantly questioning our intentions. We were mindful of the meaning behind our music and our artistic vision. We were aware that Hybrid Theory had made a significant impact and would be remembered by many. However, we were determined not to be confined to a previous version of ourselves. Now, I can reflect on that time with a touch of nostalgia and even find humor in the ridiculous pants I used to wear.
During my childhood, music was my primary interest and pastime. It wasn’t until we founded Linkin Park in 1996 that music became my profession instead of just a hobby. I began playing the piano at the age of four and continued to explore different genres such as jazz, rap, and blues. I also expanded my skills by learning how to play the guitar, keyboard, and samplers. While studying at the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, I believed I was headed towards a career as an illustrator. I worked as a graphic designer for various companies and used my earnings to invest in music equipment and records.
Achieving fame was never at the top of our list of priorities. However, it did come to us. In the beginning, we would gather the entire group for photos. While the photographer may have preferred just Chester, or myself and Chester, we wanted to make it clear that our band was a collective effort, not just the lead singers. While being well-known and respected as Linkin Park was a blessing, would I have preferred our success without the recognition? Most likely. The fame aspect of my career always felt peculiar – so much so that in 2008 and 2009, I created an art series titled “Glorious Excess” which explored themes of celebrity culture, reality TV, and public figures like Michael Jackson and Princess Diana. At the time, as I stood on red carpets with other famous individuals, I couldn’t help but think, “This is so strange. What an unusual phenomenon.” It felt intriguing yet unnatural to be treated a certain way simply because our music was popular.
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I thoroughly enjoyed the success of something that many doubted would be successful. Our strong connection with our fans served as a vindication. As our career progressed, each member of the band adapted in their own way, but we always looked out for one another. Each member of Linkin Park is not only academically intelligent, but also emotionally intelligent, which was crucial at times. We toured extensively for our first two albums, and credit goes to Brad [Delson], Dave [Farrell], and Rob [Bourdon] for recognizing how much our lives had changed and suggesting we take a break. They would remind us of our luck and the responsibility that came with it. This subtle approach to communication was powerful and ultimately led us to decide to slow down.
Without my creative outlets, I may have never taken a moment to pause and contemplate. I am constantly filled with ideas and rarely experience a creative block. My days are spent writing songs, collaborating with my band, composing for films, or simply enjoying painting. I find solace in staying active and expressing myself through music and art. Everyone handles grief differently, and for me, it is through constant motion.
Although we did not explicitly write lyrics about aging, the concept of evolution was a recurring theme throughout Linkin Park’s career. In 2007, we observed a shift in the music industry. When we first emerged, bands like Korn, Rage Against the Machine, and Nine Inch Nails could quickly make it onto the charts. However, by the release of our third album, Minutes to Midnight, bands like the Strokes and the White Stripes were dominating. We were conscious of the emergence of younger artists with fresh perspectives, and we recognized that our band held a different position in the music world. This realization did not cause us concern, but it did remind us to continuously look towards the future.
That being said, we recently had the data for how many listeners we had in 2023. There are a huge number of new fans, in the multiple tens of millions, on streaming platforms. It’s also hysterical to see memes circulating on TikTok using Linkin Park music. That contingent is really exciting to me – not just because artists want to have new fans, but because it is a testament to the songs we created. Back then, I would have never guessed the music we were making would continue to connect with people 20 years later.
Source: theguardian.com
