Jawan Harris

Pop-R&B singer Jawan Harris began singing at a very young age at the church he attended. Initially inspired by gospel artists, the Chicago, Illinois native eventually took to the likes of Michael Jackson, Usher, and Chris Brown, developed his singing and dancing talents, and uploaded clips to YouTube. Through his manager, he was able to arrange a meeting with Mark Pitts of Jive, coincidentally the home to Usher and Brown. Harris subsequently signed with the label just prior to his 12th birthday. His first single, the sleek “Another Planet” (featuring Brown), reached Billboard’s Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart in October 2010 but failed to break into the main R&B/Hip-Hop chart. The following “Keisha” -- a song more suited to the singer’s age, featuring Tyga -- did reach the main chart the following August. ~ Andy Kellman