photo credit: Power 106

JD McCrary is only 12 years old, but his career is off to a huge start. He landed the lead role of Simba in Disney’s “The Lion King” live action remake and has a 4-track EP on the way with the help from legendary veteran in the game, Jermaine Dupri.

Coming through the Power 106 studios for a Close Conversation with #NickCannonMornings, JD tells Nick Cannon how he inherited the family talent of music and performance saying, “Well, my whole family sings. On my Dad’s side, not my Mom’s side; sorry Mom. They all sing, my aunts, my uncles, my cousins, even my dad, my brother, and it’s kind of like a family heirloom. McCrary goes on to continue, “It took a lot of practice. I’ve been singing for like, maybe seven years.”

With the massive opening and response of the live-action Disney “The Lion King” remake, McCrary details how he the role of portraying young Simba was not as challenging as some would think, as he believes he relates and connects to the young lion cub to a certain degree.

Well, it didn’t take that much to put my own spin on the character, ‘cause I feel like I can relate to Simba. I look up to my dad as he does, and so it didn’t take that much just to change myself to be him. And so, I just put my own flavor on it, that’s just me.

The multi-talented artist is not only starring in one of the biggest movies of the summer, but the pre-teen has also been cooking up an EP with the help of famed, Atlanta producer Jermaine Dupri. Featuring a total of four songs, JD’s ‘Shine’ EP is expected to feature his favorite single “L.O.V.E. U”.

McCrary goes on to talk about how he was raised and his close connection with his family and with his older brother, and talks what is coming next for a possible upcoming tour.

Watch the full JD McCrary x Close Conversations with #NickCannonMornings below!