Trevor Jackson (performer)

Trevor Howard Lawrence Jackson (born August 30, 1996) is an American actor, singer, and songwriter. He is best known for portraying Aaron Jackson on Freeform original series Grown-ish, Kevin Blake on Syfy original series Eureka,[1][2] Kris McDuffy on Disney Channel's television movie Let It Shine,[3] and Kevin LaCroix on American Crime. Other notable appearances include Broadway musical The Lion King, where he played the Young Simba, and television guest star roles on both Cold Case and Harry's Law. In 2012, he won the Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Series.[4] In 2018, he starred as the lead of the crime drama film Superfly as Priest.

Trevor Jackson
Jackson in 2018
Background information
Birth nameTrevor Howard Lawrence Jackson
Born (1996-08-30) August 30, 1996
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Occupation(s)Actor, rapper, singer, songwriter, dancer
InstrumentsVocals, guitar
Years active2006–present
LabelsBorn Art / Yung Fly Movement Music Group , EMPIRE
Associated acts
Websitewww.officialtrevorjackson.com

Early life

Jackson was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, the younger of two sons of Cam Baxter and Kevin Jackson. His parents are African American. Although he comes from a family interested in basketball, at age eight he decided that he would rather work in the entertainment industry.[5] He honed his talents at local venues, performing both within his hometown and nationally, including a dance routine on Showtime at the Apollo. In 2004, the eight-year-old Jackson won the role of Young Simba on the national tour of The Lion King musical, with which he remained.

Career

2010–11: Career beginnings and Eureka

Following his run with The Lion King, he transitioned from Broadway to the small screen appearing as a guest star in an episode of Cold Case in 2010.[6] From 2010 to 2012 he played Kevin Blake in the final two seasons of Eureka.[6] In early 2011, Jackson joined a "behind the scene" group with several up and coming music artist at the time known as "B(before 20)12." This didn't last long as success tore the group apart before it ever went mainstream. In August 2011, continued his run on TV starring in an episode of Harry’s Law for which he won the Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Series for his role of Willie Blue.[7] Jackson later appeared as a guest star on the Disney Channel television show Austin & Ally.[6]

2012–13: Let It Shine, musical beginnings, #NewThang EP
Jackson at the 2013 McDonald's All-American Boys Game halftime show.

In 2012, Jackson expanded his acting career into film, playing the role of Quincy Smith in the film A Beautiful Soul.[6] That same year, Jackson went on to star in the original Disney Channel television movie Let It Shine as Kris McDuffy alongside Tyler James Williams.[6] Jackson portrayed the best friend and confidant of Cyrus (James), an aspiring hip hop musician who enters a songwriting contest and mistakenly wins his best friend's dream. Jackson has completed shooting the film Sons 2 The Grave alongside Darrin Dewitt Henson, Demetria McKinney and Justin Martin.

In 2012, Jackson signed with Atlantic Records continuing on to release his first single "Like We Grown" in February 2013. Due to demand for new music from his fans, Jackson collaborated with producers Eric Hudson, J.R. Rotem and The Underdogs, to create his EP, #NewThang.[5]

In September 2013, Jackson released the #NewThang EP. Jackson followed with his second single "Drop It", which was featured in McDonald's Monopoly Campaign commercial. To promote the #NewThang EP, Jackson toured with fellow Atlantic Records artist Justine Skye in the High School Nation Tour.[8] He also played in a few shows.

2014–present: In My Feelings

In January 2014, Jackson released "New Thang" followed by a remix to his single "Drop It" featuring rapper B.o.B. In May, Jackson was featured on Diggy Simmons’ single "My Girl".[5] in the summer of 2015 Jackson released his debut full-length album.[5] Jackson released the album's first single, "Good Girl, Bad Girl", on June 3, 2014.[9] On July 22, 2014, Jackson posted a lyric video to a track with Kirko Bangz on his official YouTube channel titled "Me Likey" four days before its iTunes release.[10] On August 3, 2014, Jackson partnered with fellow Atlantic Records artist Diggy Simmons on the Who Else But Us Tour. Jackson premiered the video for "I'll Be Who You Love (This Christmas)" on Rap-Up on December 3.[11] Jackson followed with a new single, "Know Your Name", featuring Sage The Gemini on December 15.[12] Jackson appeared as a guest on VINE and vocalist LianeV's new single "Keep Playin".[13]

In early August, Jackson released the tracks on his YouTube channel and SoundCloud for stream with a visual for the song "Simple As This". On August 28, 2015, Jackson released the In My Feelings[14] project on iTunes. In September he released the music video for his song "Bang Bang", which features Kevin Gates.

On December 3, 2015, Jackson released a video of "Like I Do" from In My Feelings on Billboard.[15]

Jackson joined the regular cast of American Crime in its second season, playing the part of Kevin Lacroix.[16] Currently Jackson is acting on the new Freeform show "Grown-ish" as Aaron Jackson, a classmate and love interest of Zoey Johnson.

Artistry

Jackson cites Michael Jackson, Gregory Hines, Donny Hathaway, Brian McKnight, and the Nicholas Brothers as his biggest musical influences.[5]

Jackson aimed for his debut album to serve as a cohesive unit, saying it was his goal to "make an album that is not just a bunch of singles, but an album that can be listened to from top to bottom."[17] Conversely, he also "wanted every song to say something, to be an experience."[5]

Philanthropy

Jackson supported Snoop Dogg's anti-violence "No Guns Allowed" campaign by releasing his own cover of Snoop Lion's single "No Guns Allowed", in March 2013.[18] In April 2013, Jackson volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House Charities in Chicago.[19] Jackson participated in the Strike Out Cystic Fibrosis's Bowling Charity Event on July 29, 2013.[20] Jackson hosted the Duffy's Hope 11th Annual Teen Youth Empowerment Summit in Dover, Delaware on August 3, 2013. The organization helps provide youth with mentoring, health, education and more.[21] Jackson has also worked with NBA Cares and The League of Young Voters Education Fund.[22]

Discography

Studio albums
List of albums, with selected details
Title Details
Rough Drafts, Pt. 1[23]
Rough Drafts, Pt. 2[24]
  • Released: June 4, 2019
  • Label: Born Art, Empire
  • Format: Digital download

Extended plays
List of extended plays, with selected details
Title Details
#NewThang[25]
  • Released: September 9, 2013
  • Label:Born Art Music Group Atlantic
  • Format: Digital download

Mixtapes
List of mixtape, with selected details
Title Details
In My Feelings[26]
  • Released: August 28, 2015
  • Label: Atlantic
  • Format: Digital download

As lead artist
List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US R&B
Airplay
[27]
"Like We Grown" 2013 — #NewThang
"Drop It" 44 Non-album singles
"Good Girl, Bad Girl" 2014 —
"Me Likey"
(featuring Kirko Bangz)		 —
"Know Your Name"
(featuring Sage the Gemini)		 —
"Rock wit Me"
(featuring Iamsu!)		 2016 — In My Feelings
"Apocalypse" 2018 — Rough Drafts, Pt. 1
"Good Enough" — Non-album single
“Why Worry” (featuring Leon Hlabathi) 2020 — Non-album single
"—" denotes items that did not chart.
List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US R&B
Airplay
[28]
"My Girl"
(Diggy Simmons featuring Trevor Jackson)		 2014 48 Non-album single
"Keep Playin"
(LianeV featuring Trevor Jackson)		 2015 — Question of Heart
"Broke Us"[29]
(Cierra Ramirez featuring Trevor Jackson)		 2019 — Non-album singles
"Don't Cry"[30]
(ADÉ featuring Trevor Jackson)		 2020 —
"—" denotes items that did not chart.

Filmography
YearTitleRoleNotes
2006Showtime at the ApolloHimself1 episode, season 4
2010Albert! Or, My Life in the OceanAlbertFilm
2010The Way He Makes Them Feel: A Michael Jackson Fan DocumentaryHimselfFilm
2010Cold CaseLeon1 episode, season 7
2010–2012EurekaKevin Blake16 episodes, seasons 4–5
2011Harry's LawWillie Blue1 episode, season 1
2011A Moment of YouthAlbertFilm
2012Let It ShineKris McDuffyFilm, main role
2012A Beautiful SoulQuincy SmithFilm
2012Austin & AllyTrent2 episodes, season 2
2012Dr. PhilHimself1 episode, season 10
2012The Joey & Elise ShowHimselfFilm
2013Criminal MindsTyler Rogers17 episode, season 8
2015K.C. UndercoverLincoln Treadwellpilot, season 1
2015Punk'dHimself1 episode, season 1
2016American CrimeKevin LaCroixMain Cast Season 2
2017Burning SandsZurichFilm Lead role
2017Black-ishAaron2 episodes
2018–presentGrown-ishAaronMain role
2018SuperflyYoungblood PriestFilm Lead Role
2019Weird CityTBAGuest Role

References
  1. Once Upon a Time (2011-09-29). "Nice Boy of the Week: Trevor Jackson". nicegirlstv.com. Retrieved 2012-06-19.
  2. Eramo, Steve (2011-10-25). "Whiz Kid: Interview with Eureka's Trevor Jackson". The Morton Report. Retrieved 2012-06-16.
  3. "EXCLUSIVE: Q&A with Let It Shine's Trevor Jackson | BOP and Tiger Beat Online". Bopandtigerbeat.com. Retrieved 2012-06-16.
  4. "33rd Annual Young Artist Awards: 2012 Nominations . Also Has Brothers By The Name Of Ian Jackson And Akarie Folkes". The Young Artist Foundation. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  5. Kennedy, John (6 May 2014). "Interview: Trevor Jackson Talks New Album And 'My Girl' Single With Diggy Simmons". Vibe. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  6. "Trevor Jackson". IMDb. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  7. "33rd Annual Young Artist Awards - Nominations / Special Awards". youngartistawards.org. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  8. "Atlantic High School Tour With Justine Skye and Trevor Jackson". theturnmag.com. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  9. "Trevor Jackson - #NEWTHANG EP Available on iTunes Now. Official Site for Trevor Jackson updates, music, and video". Official Trevor Jackson Official Website. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  10. Trevor Jackson - Me Likey feat. Kirko Bangz [Official Audio]. YouTube. 22 July 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  11. "Video Premiere: Trevor Jackson – 'I'll Be Who You Love (This Christmas)'". Rap-Up. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  12. Lauren Nostro. "Premiere: Listen to Trevor Jackson's "Know Your Name" f/ Sage The Gemini". Complex. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  13. "Music - Liane V - Keep Playin' ft. Trevor Jackson - Singersroom.com". Singersroom. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  14. "In My Feelings Release". iTunes. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  15. Platon, Adelle (December 3, 2015). "Trevor Jackson Debuts Powerful Video For 'Like I Do'". Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  16. Pedersen, Erik (August 3, 2015). "Trevor Jackson Joins 'American Crime'; Jenna Dewan-Tatum Cast In 'Supergirl'". Deadline.com. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  17. "Diggy Simmons & Trevor Jackson Talk "My Girl" Single & More (VIDEO) - Global Grind". Global Grind. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  18. "Trevor Covers Snoop Lion's "No Guns Allowed"!". Official Trevor Jackson Official Website. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  20. "CA! Come out and Bowl with Trevor!". Official Trevor Jackson Official Website. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  21. "Trevor Jackson To Host The Duffy's Hope 11th Annual Teen Youth Summit!". Official Trevor Jackson Official Website. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  22. "Trevor Jackson Unveils "#NEWTHANG EP"". Yahoo Finance. 20 September 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  23. "Rough Drafts, Pt. 1 by Trevor Jackson". iTunes. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
  24. "Rough Drafts, Pt. 2 by Trevor Jackson". iTunes. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  25. "#NewThang - EP by Trevor Jackson". iTunes. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
  26. "In My Feelings by Trevor Jackson". iTunes. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
  27. "Trevor Jackson Drop It Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
  28. "Trevor Jackson My Girl Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
  29. "Broke Us (feat. Trevor Jackson) - Single by Cierra Ramirez". Apple Music. Retrieved June 22, 2019.
  30. "DON'T CRY (feat. Trevor Jackson) - Single by ADÉ". Apple Music. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
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