R&B/Hip-Hop

When JayDon springs into the Billboard offices in late May, there’s an unmistakable bounce in his step. At just 17, the wiry triple-threat appears taller than expected — his spry frame helping explain the explosive dance moves that have the R&B world buzzing. As soon as the elevator doors part, he launches into performance mode. With no mic and zero hesitation, he starts crooning with such clarity and control that his voice slices through the office walls, prompting staffers to pop their heads out and ask, “Who’s that?”

That kind of chutzpah is what landed JayDon a coveted spot with Mega, the newly minted label helmed by L.A. Reid and Usher.

“Being with Mega — L.A. Reid, Usher, and that whole camp — helped me develop as an artist substantially,” JayDon tells Billboard weeks later during his June Rookie of the Month interview. “I’ve learned the ins and outs of stardom — what to look for, what to pay attention to, and studio etiquette. That was my first time being in the studio every day, back-to-back-to-back for months. Like six months straight. Twelve to fifteen hours a day. From two to four A.M., just singing a lot of songs.”

Now, JayDon has the R&B sphere abuzz with his undeniable skill set. Drenched in ’90s and early-2000s R&B nostalgia, tracks like “I’ll Be Good” and “Lullaby” have both Gen Z fans and millennials swooning. And when he’s not melting hearts with buttery vocals, it’s his hypnotic dance moves — reminiscent of a young Chris Brown or Omarion — that are filling timelines and turning heads.

“I still want to be authentic and brand new at the same time,” he says. “As I keep going forward, I can’t stop. I want to be the best version of me –and keep doing what I’ve always dreamed of doing.”

Today (June 20), JayDon keeps the momentum going with the release of “Bougie Baby,” a fast-paced collaboration with social media standout Zeddy Will. The track marks a stylistic shift, showcasing Jaydon’s ability to push the tempo without losing his soulful edge.

Check out our conversation with June’s R&B Rookie of the Month, JayDon, below.

Do you remember when you wrote your first song?

On the writing side, I was 12 years old. I really got into it 12, 13. The summer of last year, I ended up being with Mega and working with different writers — being in the studio everyday. That’s what got my pen working. [The first song I wrote] was called “Text You.” Shout-out my cousin Chuck Heat. He’s a producer, writer, overall musician — dope.

My own family does music. I got a beat from Chuck Heat and you know, I been recording music since I was eight years old, but this was my first time actually sitting down by myself with my phone. I used to write in my notebook — I have it somewhere — and I wrote the whole song. I was inspired by by [starts singing “Girlfriend” by Heavyweight]. I wanted to make a song like that or [starts singing “Jennifer” by Trinidad Cardona]. This was 2020 and that’s when the songs were resurfacing. I wanted a song like that. Real R&B smooth. It’s actually dope. I still listen to it to this day.

When did your family first discover that you had a talent for music?

About six years old. I was already dancing. My family doesn’t really dance. My grandpa taught me how to do Michael Jackson [moves] and everything like that. Him and my Uncle Robert. They showed me a little bit of how to dance. That was kind of it. Around that time, I was learning how to dance like Chris Brown. I was teaching myself things. They saw that I really wanted it. That’s what it was. They were already molding me to be a singer and a musician because I already had music around me. It’s a family thing, but when it comes to the entertainment, that’s when they were like, “He wants it.”

You’re morphing into this incredible triple-threat in real-time with being a singer, dancer and actor. How would you rank your talents from top-to-bottom?

My talents? What would I rank from top-to-bottom [laughs]? Why can’t they all just be at the top? 

I’m not mad at that. Talk your sh-t. 

Right now, I’m dialed in on the music. So, of course, that’s my forefront, but I’m an entertainer and artist of all realms.

Cats from your generation don’t dance like how they used to back in my day. How important was it for you to incorporate the choreography into what you’re doing on the music side, especially in something like your “I’ll Be Good” music video?

Man, I just want to show what I’m already am: dancing, being fun and doing it all in a way that I love. Every with all the movies that I’ve been in, I’ve been able to dance and sing or [solely] sing in ’em. So I love tying everything into one knot and definitely being able to show that in “I’ll Be Good” was the goal.

The video was giving Step Up and Save The Last Dance vibes with how heavily involved the dancing elements were. Was that intentional?

Absolutely! With all my videos, I wanna do something different. 

Whether it’s “I’ll Be Good” or “Lullaby,” your music has some ’90s and ’00s influence to it. How important was it sonically to include that kind of music into your foundation?

It’s already an authentic thing for me. There’s some other artists that I’ve seen out here trying to purposefully attach their name to that like, “I’m a ’90s R&B artist from today.” They’re trying to do that. That’s definitely a piece of my music and what I want to bring to the table, but that’s just who I am. I feel like if you put me back in time, I’d belong there. It’s a natural thing for me. 

The first comment I saw when watching “I’ll Be Good” was along the lines of “this guy is a fusion of Chris Brown, Mario and Omarion.” As you continue to build your artistry, how often do you look into some of your R&B heroes and try to infuse them into your style?

I’m not gonna act like I’m not inspired, man. I’m inspired by so many different artists, different times. From back in the day to old school R&B to the founders of it like Sam Cooke and Donnie Hathaway to all the way to Chris Brown, Usher and Miguel. Different artists, man. I love to study. I definitely take pieces from everybody. So if you see a move and it looks like it was for Chris Brown, it probably was.

“I’ll Be Good” samples Usher’s “How Do I Say.” Was there hesitation on your end to sample a record like that knowing that your boss made it?

Man, shout-out Sweata. He produced the track and everything. He wrote it with me. Great, amazing writer. Y’all go check him out. He’s also signed to Mega. It just felt right for that type of vibe that we was on that day being in the studio. We just wanted to capture something [good]. It was actually his idea. He came to me with the track and played it for me and everything. He said, ‘Let’s go for this feel’ and we wrote it together. It definitely combined well. 

What was Usher’s reaction to the record when he first heard it?

He loved it, man. I never played it for him in person, but I’ve seen some of his reactions. I’ve talked to him and everything. He loves it and I appreciate him for blessing me with the sample. 

Let’s pivot to the acting. You were in The Paynes and played Simba in the Lion King. How did acting better prepare you for the music world?

[Learning] to be comfortable in front of a camera. Definitely that. Being able to connect and when you’re shooting music videos or preparing yourself for that. Being an actor and having experience with that, it definitely helps to put that emotion in your face and show what you’re singing about. I feel like I’m already a little developed there.   

We’re seeing a lot more double-threats from the acting and music side like Coco Jones and Chloe Bailey. Do you plan to further pursue acting as you continue to step into music?

Absolutely. Right now, my launch pad and my focus is on the music and everything that I have coming forward. It’s definitely that, but I’ll never let go of acting, man. I really want to pick it up [again]. I don’t wanna put no time-stamp or limitations, but I love acting, man. If the role is right, if the time is right, I’ll be there. 

You have a great relationship with your dad. How do you maintain that father-son bond and keep it sacred without stardom getting in the way?

Man, you trying to hype my head up. I ain’t even famous like that yet. [Laughs.]

I know you go outside and the girls see you. 

I do get spotted, though. That’s really the crazy part. When I was in New York, there was a bunch of people [coming up to me]. But the relationship between me and my dad, it’s more brotherly, honestly. That’s my dog. Whatever I go through, he’s gonna understand me. He wants to see me win. There’s nothing that’s going to come between us. 

Do we have a tape dropping?

The tape is coming. Got an EP on the way. Y’all keep y’all eyes peeled. 

Do we have a name and date?

I’m thinking Me, My Songs and I. I wanna name my album Jaydon. When I come with an album, I do want it to be self-titled. This one, I think it just represents what it is: It’s Me, My Songs and I. It’s my spirit in music.