Titanium (band)

Titanium is 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 second boy band. The Edge radio station hosted auditions across New Zealand and eventually six young men were selected for the group consisting of members, Zac Taylor, Andrew Papas, Jordi Webber, Shaquille Paranihi-Ngauma, Haydn Linsley and T.K Paradza. They signed to Illegal Musik and released their debut single, "Come On Home". The single debuted at number one on the official New Zealand Singles Chart on 17 September 2012. Titanium released their debut studio album, All For You in December 2012. They became the first New Zealand band to have three songs in the Top 40 Singles Chart at one time.

History

2012: Formation

The 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

In 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' ^[1]

In November 2014, the boy-band was the opening act for the biggest selling female artist of all time, Mariah Carey on her world tour stop down-under. The legendary singer dubbed, "The Queen Of Music" & the "Songbird Supreme" performed her first ever live show in New Zealand. The Elusive Chanteuse Show was sold out at Auckland's Vector Arena and the band was given the honour to warm up Carey's fans and open the concert.^[2]

2015: Webbers departure

In March, 2015 original band member Jordi Webber announced via social media that he would depart the boy band and embark on a solo acting career.^[3]

Musical style

Titanium's music style contain's 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. 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 Beyonce.^[4]

Members

Present members

Zac Taylor

Zac Taylor born in 1993 is from Whakatane, New Zealand.^[5] Prior to his audition for The Edge competition he traveled to Orlando, Florida to sing at the Voice of McDonald's finals in early 2012.

Andrew Papas

Andrew Papas born in 1994 is originally from South Africa and lives in Auckland, New Zealand.

Shaquille Paranihi-Ngauma

Shaquille Paranihi-Ngauma born in 1993 is from Gisborne and lived in Hamilton, New Zealand.^[6] Paranihi-Ngauma was studying Music at Wintec prior to his decision to audition for The Edge boy band.

Haydn Linsley

Haydn Linsley born in 1993 is originally from Bristol, England and lived in Palmerston North, New Zealand.^[7] 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.

TK Paradza

Takudzwa (TK) Paradza is originally from Kwekwe, Zimbabwe and lived in Wellington, New Zealand.^[8] Before joining the boy band, he was studying Information systems at university.

Past members

Jordi Webber

Jordi Webber born in 1994 is from Rotorua, New Zealand.^[9] He was a student in his first year of an acting degree before he auditioned for the boy band competition. After two-and-a-half years with the band, he left the band in March 2015 to pursue a solo musical career and acting.^[10]

Discography

• All For You (2012)

Concert tours

• 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

Nowie Awards

The Nowie Awards is a kids choice awards show voted by the youth public of New Zealand.

New Zealand Music Awards

The New Zealand Music Awards (VNZMA) is an annual New Zealand music awards show.

Merchandise

The Collateral Company was enlisted to produced 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

See also

• List of number-one singles from the 2010s (New Zealand)

References

External links

• Titaniummusic.net
• Voxy.co.nz
• Rotoruadailypost.co.nz
• Stuff.co.nz
• Illegalmusik.co.nz
• thecollateralcompany.com
• Odt.co.nz