Jacob Perez

Jacob Perez (born April 21, 1996) professionally known as Princeton Perez, is an American singer-songwriter, professional dancer, and actor. Born and raised in Downey, California, near Los Angeles, Perez began his career at a young age when he appeared in television advertisements for companies such as Nike, McDonald's, and Sketchers. He was included in two Gym Class Heroes music videos, including Shoot Down the Stars (as a young school child), and Cupid's Chokehold (as Cupid Boy). Perez rose to fame as a member of the boy band Mindless Behavior, in which he remained from 2008 until the groups disbandment in 2017.

Life and career

2006–2008: Early life and career beginnings

In 2006, Perez was cast in two Gym Class Heroes music videos. “Shoot Down the Stars” followed him as a younger version of Travie McCoy, being bullied by other students. The video ends in various children, including Princeton, dancing in a school talent show and on the school’s playground. “Cupid's Chokehold”, however portrayed him as a young Cupid, shooting Travie with a bow and arrow, causing Travie to express his love for various women in the video.^[2][3] He was also featured on the album art for the single. In an interview with AwesomenessTV, Princeton has said that he had also danced backup for Nicole Scherzinger.^[4]

At the age of 11, Princeton appeared on commercials for Sketchers, McDonald's and Nike, which helped progress his career in entertainment.^[5][6] He was also cast in High School Musical 3, playing a small part as the young Corbin Bleu, but he could not take the role as it was around the same time he became a member of Mindless Behavior. Princeton had worked with choreographers such as Dave Scott and Kaelynn Harris, from 8 Flavahz.^[7] He has also taken dance classes at Debbie Allen Dance Academy with other dancers, such as the dancer and actress, Zoë Soul.

2008–13: #1 Girl and All Around the World

Princeton performing with Mindless Behavior for Wade's World Foundation in 2013

Lakeisha Gamble, one of the contributing founders of Mindless Behavior, convinced future producer of the group, Walter Millsap, to form an American boy band.^[8][9] He was opposed to the idea at first, as explained in the film, Mindless Behavior: All Around the World.^[10] Millsap is the founder of Conjunction Entertainment Inc., and has worked with the likes of Beyonce, Alicia Keys, and Jennifer Lopez.^[11] Along with Gamble and Millsap, there was Streamline Records head Vincent Herbert, who agreed on the concept of forming a boy band.^[12] Following the idea of forming the group, Gamble, Millsap, Herbert, songwriter Candice Nelson, and choreographer David Scott held open auditions in California in an attempt to find local boys that would fit the criteria of the group.^[10] Dave Scott, a choreographer who had previously worked with Princeton at Debbie Allen Academy, had been recommended to contact him for an audition.^[13][14] Gamble had seen him in a Gym Class Heroes video, "Cupid’s Chokehold", portraying a young Cupid.^[13] Princeton had been called in to audition, and stated that he was “nervous” that he wouldn’t get the part, as he did with every audition. Upon finishing the audition, he was told that he would hear back from them in two weeks, however, he got an approval the same night.^[15]

Joining soon afterwards Princeton was Prodigy (Craig Crippen, Jr.), Roc Royal (Chresanto August), and Ray Ray (Rayan Lopez).^[16][17][18] For the next two years, they immersed themselves in music, developing their musical sound and style under the guidance of Herbert and Millsap.^[19][20] They moved in with their manager, Gamble, and began frequently rehearing dance routines, changing their diets, and getting to know one another.^[21] Teresa Perez, Princeton’s mother, described it as a “boot camp” for each of the boys. However, once their manager felt as though they were ready, they set up a showcase to perform for various labels. The last performance was for Management Group International, owned by successful entrepreneur and music manager, Kenneth Crear.^[22] Crear was immediately interested in signing the group. Soon after, they remained in development, but also began working on original music. Gaining their performance repertoire, they put on shows at local schools on the CLASSCFIED High School Tour.^[23][24] This helped them gain fans and recognition, along with their YouTube channel that held their creative "MB Cam" and Ustream account. Soon afterwards, Interscope Records chairman Jimmy Iovine signed Mindless Behavior to the label.^[25][26]

Before headlining their own tours, Mindless Behavior toured with many established musicians, such as The Backstreet Boys, Jason Derulo, Justin Bieber, and was an opening act for Janet Jackson during her Number Ones, Up Close and Personal tour.^[27][28] The group had become quite popular from appearing on BET's 106 & Park, and also headlined the first BET Closer to My Dreams Tour alongside Diggy Simmons, Lil Twist, Trevante and Jawan Harris. In 2011, Mindless Behavior headlined the Scream Tour with Diggy Simmons, which featured The OMG Girlz, Jacob Latimore, and Hamilton Park.^[29] The group also performed at the White House twice, and were the first African American boy band to do so. Also in 2011, they performed at the prestigious White House Easter Egg Roll. In 2012, they were performers at Arthur Ashe Kids' Day.^[30] In 2013, the group performed for Wade's World Foundation, an organization by Dwyane Wade that provides support to community-based organizations that promote education, health and social skills for children in at-risk situations.^[31] They were also welcomed back to the White House to perform at the Kids Inaugural Ball.^[32][33][34]

In July 2012, the group headlined their largest U.S. tour. The tour held the same name as their debut album. The #1 Girl Tour held opening acts from artists Jacob Latimore, Lil Twist, and Kayla Brianna.^[35][36] While on tour, the group visited the Ronald McDonald House in Georgia to cheer up some of the young patients who were battling cancer.^[37] In 2013, the group embarked on their All Around The World Tour.^[38][39] Since joining Mindless Behavior, Princeton, along with former bandmates Roc Royal, Ray Ray and Prodigy, have released two albums, performed on tour, and sold over 327,000 album copies in the United States. Later within the year, many news sources announced that there would be a new member after the groups lead singer, Craig Crippen Jr., who known as Prodigy, had left the group. After lead singer Prodigy left the group, Mindless Behavior did not release any material. As seen in many interviews, there had only been Princeton, Roc Royal, and Ray Ray, which meant that there hadn’t been a lead singer introduced. For almost two years, Mindless Behavior participated in interviews, and even held shows for their fans, without a lead singer. However, many of these shows included nothing but the band performing dance routines, while Prodigy’s voice played in the background.^[40] Elijah Johnson replaced him as the lead singer in April 2014.^[41]

2014–16: Group changes and #OfficialMBMusic

Princeton backstage with Camila Cabello for Fifth Harmony's 7/27 Tour

Princeton expressed a strong interest in fashion while in the group. When entertaining the idea of not being a member of Mindless Behavior, he spoke about either being a backup dancer for another artist, or a fashion designer, stating “Anything creative and entertaining, I’ll be there.”^[42] He exclaimed his style as more androgynous, with a mixture of punk meeting urban. His musical influences of Prince, Michael Jackson, and a compilation of many rock bands, heavily influenced his style and mannerisms.^[43][44] Outside of Mindless Behavior, he participated as a judge in the "Face of Spoiled Show & Contest" with Eva Marcille in July 2014.^[45][46]

Following this hiatus, Mindless Behavior were removed from Interscope's roster, and signed a deal with Epic Records.^[47] The hiatus of Mindless Behavior following Prodigy’s departure led Princeton into his own artistic creations. He would post on his blog, Outsiders Ink, photos or videos of himself in ways that his fans had not seen before.^[48] He posted a short film, reciting a poem that he wrote on his blog as well.^[49] During an interview in the United Kingdom, Princeton stated that he had not shared his lyrics with fans before, but was always thinking of new lyrics in his mind.^[50] He told the interviewer how he was beginning to influence Mindless Behavior’s music more often when in the studio with their producer, Walter Millsap. Not long after, in another interview that featured the group in January 2015, both Princeton and Lopez stated they had been working on projects outside of the group that included music and fashion.^[51] "Don't Believe In Love", a reggae fusion-pop inspired track, was his first solo record that he released on his SoundCloud account. The song has since reached over 700,000 listens as of January 2017.^[52]

After the release of their sophomore album, Mindless Behavior had undergone many group member changes. Chresanto August, known as Roc Royal, was removed from the group and later pursued a solo musical career.^[14] Management replaced the him with vocalist Mike River, who remained in the group until the announcement of their disbandment in 2017.^[53] The group then began working on an their third studio album titled "Recharge". It was stated to be released in 2015, but it never was. Soon after, Rayan Lopez, known as Ray Ray, decided to leave the group as well.^[54] He was not replaced and the group remained to be a trio. Princeton was the only original member of the group that was formed in 2008.^[55] Mindless Behavior then went by MB, which is an acronym of the groups name. Princeton stated that the name change was due to the groups reinvention. After disposing of the #Recharge album, they began working on their third album together, "#OfficialMBMusic", which was released in 2016.^[56]

After the album release, the group began shooting a drama film directed by Carl Payne, titled "Misguided Behavior". The film stars Carl Payne, Clifton Powell, Towanda Braxton, Khalil Kain and Mindless Behavior and is set to be released April 11, 2017. Mindless Behavior announced their “#NoParentsAllowed” tour in September 2016.^[57] The 23-city tour was said to be sponsored by Alcatel in support of their latest studio album, #OfficialMBMusic. Pre-sale tickets went on sale September 27 and general ticket sales began Friday, September 30. The tour was expected to start November 9, in Greensboro, North Carolina, and end December 17 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. However, in November 2016, it was announced by each group member that the tour had been postponed, many ticket websites showcasing the entire tour as cancelled.^[58] In a YouNow, Princeton explained that the group does not control tour dates, and had been trying to schedule dates since earlier that year.^[59] There was no explanation given as to why the tour had been cancelled.

2017–present: Solo career

Perez being honored with "Princeton Perez" day by councilman Ricki Barlow in Las Vegas, May 2017

Within January 2017, Princeton spoke to a fan in his Instagram comments, regarding the hiatus situation with the group. He insinuated that the music industry is a “machine”, and that if “certain managers” and record labels allowed Mindless Behavior to own the right to both their music and group name, that they would be allowed to create more music.^[60] He stated that he was waiting on the release of more music from Mindless Behavior, just as well as the rest of the fans. Prior to this incident, there were many rumors circulating that Mindless Behavior had disbanded, but that was quickly proved to be false by bandmate Mike River.

In February, Princeton publicly announced the disbandment of Mindless Behavior via Twitter.^[61] This was due to the group not receiving the rights for their music, and wanting to do their own things outside of the group. He has not stated a release date for any of his own musical projects. Princeton posted a photo on his Instagram of he and Taylor Bennett in the studio, which insinuated that he may be working on a project with him. The track list for Bennett's project, Restoration of An American Idol, was released February 23, and features Princeton in the "The Kid's Alright", the intro track.^[62][63][64] Princeton also announced that he was working on two films this year, although he has not yet introduced the title or release date of either.^[65][66]

In March, Perez cut his hair, which is something that he never imagined doing while in Mindless Behavior. He has stated that it's changed his life, and he's booked new roles because of it. He appeared on the cover of 360 Magazine, making it his first solo magazine cover following the disbandment of Mindless Behavior.^[67][68] In April, a day before his twenty-first birthday, he covered Obvious Magazine.^[69] He covered Tinsley Magazine in June.

Perez was a guest at the Las Vegas Teen Town Hall alongside former Mindless Behavior group member Elijah Johnson and Diamond White. City Councilman Ricki Y. Barlow hosted the event, which was accompanied by ten various high schools within the district, including that of Legacy High School, Rancho High School, Canyon Springs High School, West Preparatory Academy, Valley High School, Veterans Tribute Career & Technical Academy, Cheyenne High School, Western High, Advanced Technologies Academy, and West Career and Technical Academy.^[70] The topics presented were bullying and racial discrimination, with a focus on improving the local school district.^[71] The event was broadcast live on KCLV Channel 2 on May 30, and is set to rebroadcast May 31, and throughout the first week of June at respective times. Presented by Barlow, the city of Las Vegas awarded and recognized each guest by granting May 30 as Diamond White, Elijah "EJ" Johnson, and Jacob "Princeton" Perez Day.^[72][73]

During the BET Experience prior to the BET Awards 2017, Perez hosted the Teen Summit panel, which had been removed from syndication in 2002. There, he spoke with individuals about the influence of social media and music within the current generation.^[74][75] Also, presented by Obvious Magazine, he announced that he would be touring and having pop up fan “meetups” in various cities across the United States, including that of New Orleans, Houston, Miami, Atlanta, and many more.^[76] The first dates were listed as “Phase 1”, which is set to begin July 13th, 2017, and conclude August 6th. Fans were also allowed win a dinner with Perez (and a friend), in order to be up close and personal with his fans to promote his 2018 Calendar and exclusive merchandise.

Philanthropy

Activism

Princeton has openly supported People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and it's initiatives to end the mistreatment and abuse of animals.^[77] In a 2015 campaign for the peta2’s Hottest Vegetarian Celebrities, Princeton won alongside Zendaya.^[78]

Filmography

Tours

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jacob Anthony Perez.