Log in to your account
No upcoming concerts
Stats
Biography
Following the release of the popular Linkin Park album “Collision Course” in November 2004, Mike Shinoda created Fort Minor as a moniker for his solo releases. Alongside DJ Green Lantern, the rapper issued the mixtape “Fort Minor: We Major” in October 2005 to raise the anticipation for his studio release. Featuring high-profile guest contributions from Juelz Santana, Ghostface Killah, and Lupe Fiasco, the mixtape brought Shinoda out from the shadow of Linkin Park.
Released in November 2005, Fort Minor’s debut studio album, “The Rising Tied”, features the likes of Common, John Legend, and Black Thought of the Roots. With executive production from Jay-Z, who collaborated with Linkin Park on the remix EP “Collision Course”, the record peaked at No. 51 on the Billboard 200. The album spawned the singles “Petrified”, “Remember the Name”, “Believe Me”, and “Where’d You Go”, the latter of which rose to No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. Alongside Linkin Park, Fort Minor performed at the 2006 Summer Sonic festival.
On top of his solo releases, Fort Minor uses the moniker on his collaborations with the rap group, Styles of Beyond, who he has released two LPs and a mixtape with. In June 2015 Shinoda announced his return to the Fort Minor side-project by changing his social media account pictures to black. In aid of raising publicity and anticipation for future releases, the rapper subsequently issued the single “Welcome” and appeared on the late-night talk show Conan in June 2015.
Live reviews
It’s strange that people are so quick to be so snobby about nu metal, these days, because as a musical indiscretion, it barely registers next to, say, the more recent trend for EDM/dubstep crossovers with rock music (I’m looking at you, Skrillex). I’m not sure Linkin Park were ever genuinely considered to be nu metal, anyway, when they dropped their stone cold classic of a debut, Hybrid Theory, back in 2000, but just in case Mike Shinoda’s usually-rapped contributions were subject to accusations of artificiality from genuine fans of hip hop, he did at least make an attempt to prove his affinity for the genre with his side project, Fort Minor. In 2005, he produced a record under the moniker, The Rising Tied, which Jay Z executive produced after working with Linkin Park on the Collision Course live album. Whilst not eschewing the rock stylings that his day job involved entirely, Shinoda did lean towards genuine rap sounds more so than previously, with guest spots from Common, Black Thought and John Legend, as well as extensive collaboration with Styles of Beyond. Shinoda toured with the latter, too, performing most of the record as well as a couple of Linkin Park cuts in front of two turntablists. Fort Minor is currently on hiatus, but Shinoda has hinted that he may return to the project after commitments for the new Linkin Park record are fulfilled; watch this space, because those shows with Styles of Beyond are already considered cult classics.
Joeg_67
Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park fame has a lesser known hip hop focused side project titled Fort Minor. Unfortunately due to the large commitments of Linkin Park this innovative project was put on indefinite hiatus in 2006 despite having built a reasonable following on the live circuit in the two active years. Much to the delight of the fanbase from all those years ago, Mike announced in 2015 he would be taking to the road with Fort Minor once more.
The original fans flock to the venues in their droves as do the Linkin fans who have found out more information about this interesting outfit. There is revived energy and a greater freedom in the show as Fort Minor have no major hits so the set lists are fluid taking tracks from the debut album and mixing them with new material from an allegedly upcoming sophomore release. There are also some of the most popular Linkin Park tracks such as 'Waiting for the End' and 'Hands Held High'. It is great news that Shinoda has revived this side project as there is definitely potential here and a following ready for new material and further live dates so the time is very well invested.
sean-ward
