UB Interviews: Jacob Latimore Speaks to UrbanBridgez.com

Surrounded by music since birth, Jacob’s father and uncles make up the inspirational quartet The Latimore Brothers. By the time the singer/dancer turned 9-years old, the Milwaukee native knew he wanted to pursue a career in the music business. Developing a serious discipline for the art of dance, young Jacob studied and emulated the choreography of The Temptations and boy band group B2K. Moving forward with his parents’ full support Jacob teamed with local Milwaukee producers to produce his first song “Best Friend,” which was featured on Radio Disney’s incubator station that profiles young artist around the country.

In order to keep his music career on the fast track, Jacob relocated to Atlanta in 2007. Immediately going to work, Jacob’s team set up a premiere showcase to introduce him to the Atlanta music scene, executives and tastemakers. The showcase not only attracted Grammy award winning producer Rodney Jerkins and R&B singer Lloyd, but introduced him to producers Corna Boys and Rico Love, who produced his viral single “Superstar” that charted on Billboard R&B and Hip Hop Sales Charts.

In 2010, Jacob, with the help of a viral video performance, caught the eye of RCA Records A&R, Wayne Williams. Members of the RCA staff were also left in awe by his charismatic personality and astonishing voice that instantly answered the question of whether the young teen has star power. Jacob was immediately signed to the label and brought along powerhouse managers Larry Rudolph and Jeremy Geffen.

Jacob’s first single “Like ‘Em All” featuring Diggy Simmons and produced by Infinity, is an up-tempo track in which Jacob and Diggy let the girls know that they’re beautiful despite their flaws.

Jacob’s talents continue to solidify him as a triple threat. After being discovered by talent agent Joy Pervis (Dakota Fanning & Lucas Till) in 2008, Jacob booked several commercials and voiceovers. Jacob’s first lead role came in early 2011 with feature film Vanishing on 7th Street starring Hayden Christensen and Thandie Newton.

Already receiving rave reviews for his performance, one film critic suggests, “audiences are treated to newcomer Jacob Latimore who is nothing short of fantastic. In bringing braveness and vulnerability to the role of a 12-year old boy, Latimore is in many ways the true hero of the film.

Between recording, dancing, acting and touring, Jacob Latimore, is making all the right moves to cover all basis of the entertainment business. Jacob is currently working on his debut album scheduled for release in 2012.

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UrbanBridgez.com recently caught up with Jacob and Tishelle spoke with him about being apart of the Scream tour, working on his debut album, new TV sitcom for BET, his friendship with Diggy Simmons and much more!

UrbanBridgez.com: You’re on your first major tour opening up for Diggy & Mindless Behavior, UrbanBridgez caught your show and loved it. What has been your best experience from the tour so far?
Jacob Latimore: I would have to say just the pandemonium after the shows. The fans like to get into the back of the buildings and things like jumping on the cars. Just trying to snatch you up and grab your clothes. Yeah that’s pretty much the best experience so far.

UrbanBridgez.com: Isn’t that kind of scary?
Jacob Latimore: Yeah umm, for a minute. But when you look back on it, it’s kind of cool to watch.

UrbanBridgez.com: Let’s talk about your debut album you’re working on. What can we expect as far as the sound and themes of the music?
Jacob Latimore: My sound is going to be upbeat and fun. Alot of things that teens can relate to. With me being a 15 year old boy I feel like I can connect to them. You’re going to get good quality music.

UrbanBridgez.com: Who are some of the people you’re working with on it and have worked with for the album?
Jacob Latimore: I’ve worked with the Underdogs, these guys name Pop & Oak, real cool and dope guys. I’ve worked with Teddy Riley, he did the Like Em All remix. And I worked with this guy named Jukebox, he did Whip My Hair for Willow Smith and I just got out of the studio with R. Kelly also.

UrbanBridgez.com: When can fans expect it in stores?
Jacob Latimore: There isn’t a date for the album yet but it’s going to be sometime next year, around the summer.

UrbanBridgez.com: You and Diggy Simmons seem to have a close friendship, how did you two meet and what is it about Diggy that makes him such a good friend?
Jacob Latimore: I met Diggy through a friend of mine named Walter, he knew Diggy really well and I told him that I wanted to meet him one day. And I happen to be here in New York at a studio session and Walter came in and said Diggy is in a studio down the street and I was gonna go see him do you want to go? So I was like yeah, so I went to the studio and I came to find out that he already knew about me. He had seen some of my YouTube videos and he was just really a down to earth guy as soon as I met him. So I basically told him we needed to do a song together, so I first did one of his songs called You Got Me Now from his mixtape. So he returned the favor with Like Em All and we’ve just kept the connection every since and have been becoming really good friends on the road.

UrbanBridgez.com: You’re also an established actor, how did you get started in that?
Jacob Latimore: It’s just something I just started really. I don’t know, I’ve always had favorite actors like Bill Cosby, Will Smith and Shia LaBeouf. It’s just something I just kind of grew into, my first movie I ever shot called Vanishing on 7th Street with Hayden Christensen and Thandie Newton I think was my big start in the acting side.

UrbanBridgez.com: Tell us about your new sitcom Young Man on Campus?
Jacob Latimore: It’s a TV show that BET created and it’s about a 15 year old kid in college. And he’s dealing with that while trying to roll with the big guys while knowing everything. That’s basically the key of it.

UrbanBridgez.com: You’ve mentioned before that Chris Brown is your idol, what is it about Breezy that influences you so much and can we expect a future collab with you two anytime soon?
Jacob Latimore: Yeah I think you can expect a future collab with me and Chris in the future. To me he’s just an amazing performer not to just me but alot of people look up to him. He’s just amazing overall.

UrbanBridgez.com: I agree! What are your goals for yourself and career in the next five years?
Jacob Latimore: I’m gonna get a nice car!

UrbanBridgez.com: (laughs) Do you even have your license?
Jacob Latimore: Nope, but I will! You know it (laughs). But nah, just be myself and perfecting what I do now. Just to keep learning and hopefully doing alot more things on the acting side. Just focus on being the best.

UrbanBridgez.com: We’re celebrating 90’s R&B on UB right now, what are some of your favorite artists and songs or albums from the 90’s?
Jacob Latimore: I was born in the late 90’s so I’m not really sure (laughs). I’ve always been a person to listen to songs but never really the whole album. But I would say my favorite albums are Brandy’s Full Moon and Michael Jackson’s Thriller.

UrbanBridgez.com: How has music influenced you?
Jacob Latimore: It’s just always been around me, my family sings. My dad and uncle, actually my whole side of my dads family. So it’s always been something that has caught my eye and always been in my blood. Just something I’ve always had fun with.

UrbanBridgez.com: Outside of working, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Jacob Latimore: I’m more of an at home guy, I just like to be in my room and chill out. But other than that, I like going to the movies alot, I’m a big movie person. I’m kind of good at bowling, so I like going bowling now. But yeah I’m more of a chill guy, so I like to just be at home and have a few friends over.

UrbanBridgez.com: What advice do you have for young artists who are trying to get to where you are and are headed?
Jacob Latimore: I would tell them to just keep God first and just work hard. You just gotta work hard and not just sit around and wait for something to happen. You gotta work at it and it will eventually pay off.

UrbanBridgez.com: Do you have anything else you want to leave with your fans?
Jacob Latimore: I love you guys, keep being supportive and keep on the lookout for more great music!