Taio Cruz Reveals Secrets to His Success at AOL Sessions (VIDEO)

There's no denying British pop sensation Taio Cruz is a creative force to be reckoned with. After dominating the charts with his number one hits 'Break Your Heart' and 'Dynamite,' Taio has another smash single on his hands with 'Hangover,' off his newest CD 'TY.O.'

During a recent AOL Sessions in Beverly Hills, Taio brought the house down with a live performance of some of his most popular songs. After the show, we here at AOL Music were lucky enough to chat with the rising star about all things music. Read on to hear Taio's take on collaborating with 'TY.O' guest stars David Guetta and Ludacris, being moved by a "true electronica" concert, the future of pop and the secrets to his success!

What's the most essential thing to a successful musical collaboration?

Wow. I think the most essential thing to a successful musical collaboration is the same thing that is essential to any hit song -- just that the actual song itself is good, that the emotion behind the song is something that people can relate to ... whether it be something as simple as going out partying and having a good time, or if it's about love and relationships. Just to make sure that the sentiment behind the song is something that people can feel.

Why did you decide to work with David Guetta and Ludacris on this album?

I worked with David Guetta because he's just such a nice guy, as well as incredibly talented, and he's very, very welcoming. We recorded 'Little Bad Girl' at his studio at his house in Ibiza. And the way that Ludacris came about was really David Guetta's idea. He wanted to put Ludacris on there and I've worked with Ludacris before on 'Break Your Heart,' so I was more than happy to have him on there. Ludacris, without a doubt, never ever fails. He always really takes a song that's 100% to 120% and he didn't fail on this record. I think the combination and the collaboration really, really made it something special.

So that was a great collab experience, but what would say was your worst?

I won't say who I was with, with the worst musical collaborative experience (laughs). Just because there's no need to call people out like that, but I was just in the room and every part of the process was pointless. The producer spent about an hour picking which kick drum he was going to use and the person I was writing the song for really had no direction as to where they wanted the song to go. So it was really difficult for me to write a song if I don't know what you want me to write the song about (laughs). So that was a very, very confused recording session, but it happens sometimes. Sometimes you go in and it doesn't work.

What has changed about pop music in, say, the last three years and where do you see it going in the future?

I think pop music has evolved very much into an electro-dance music influenced vein over the course of the last couple of years, and you can never really tell where it's going to go. Everyone likes to predict whether it might go Dubstep, whether the natural progression from going to the 80s-inspired records is to now go to 90s-inspired records, so it might go that way. Either way, I'm sure people will be making very good music.

As a musician, do you remember one concert that made the biggest impact on you?

It's probably got to be a Michael Jackson thing, but to be fair, maybe it's not. I think the Daft Punk Alive Tour, which I actually haven't been to personally, I watched it online. I just love the way that they put that pyramid together and the crazy light show that they put together to that music and how true to electronica it is. And how involved the fans feel with that experience, I think is really, really great. Everything about it works. It's so futuristic and so are they and the music is, I think it's very, very complete.

What has been your most enlightening experience as a songwriter?

I don't know what my most enlightening experience is. I think I'm humbled every time I work with a new producer or a new writer. If I work with the RedOne, they all have techniques that make them so successful and I'm very, very eager to learn. So working with Red, working with Dr. Luke, working with Max Martin, even Bonnie McKee, who is a newcomer, but she's exceptional and I learn a lot from all of them. I think that's a good thing.

What would say your real life is like compared to the life you portray in your music videos? Is it all models and yachts ... or are you all business?

(Laughs) The difference between my music videos and real life, there are similarities. There are fast cars, there are beautiful women and there are gorgeous locations ... but it's not every day. It's a little bit exaggerated in the video (laughs). Generally, to be honest, I live out my fantasies by being on the stage and being in music videos. When I'm at home I tend to chill out, play video games and watch TV (laughs). So, that's probably more of the reality to be honest.

What advice would you give to anybody who's starting out in the music industry now ... what's the secret to your success?

I always say that, when you're trying to reach for your dream, you should keep people around you who are honest and that you respect as well. Ask the right people. Don't ask someone who has a terrible ear whether your music is good, you should ask someone who has had hits whether your music is good. If they give you positive reinforcement, that's a good thing. Then I think it's something to pursue. And you also have to understand that A&R's and different record companies, they're all humans and they all have individual tastes. So your music may not be for one person, you just have to keep going and you just have to keep working at your craft and I think eventually, with a high level of drive, you'll succeed. I did.