JD McCrary

JayDon Howard McCrary (born July 18, 2007), known mononymously as JayDon (formerly as JD McCrary) is an American singer-songwriter, actor and dancer. He starred in The Lion King as the voice of young Simba, played Kenny Payne in The Paynes, and also appeared in the 2019 film Little. In 2025, he signed with Usher and L.A. Reid's record label Mega, as a joint venture with Gamma.

Career 2015–2019: Career beginnings and acting McCrary began his acting career in 2015 at age 8 on K.C. Undercover, where he appeared on two episodes. In December 2016, he made a guest appearance on Childish Gambino's song "Terrified". He then had live performances on Little Big Shots singing The Jackson 5's "I Want You Back", The Ellen Show singing "Who's Lovin' You", and the 60th Annual Grammy Awards to support Childish Gambino's "Terrified". In December 2017, he sang the national anthem before a Los Angeles Clippers game after a viral singing display a few weeks prior. In 2017, he later appeared on I'm Dying Up Here and Teachers as minor roles.

On January 14, 2018, he released his first official single called "Inviting All of You". On August 13, 2018, it was announced that JD McCrary became the youngest artist to sign with Disney Music Group's Hollywood Records, as he released the music video to his second single "My Name" on August 28. On January 24, 2019, he released the first single after signing to the label called "Keep in Touch." He stars in The Paynes on the Oprah Winfrey Network.

In 2019, McCrary co-starred in the Universal comedy film Little, and provided the voice of young Simba in the live action remake of the Disney film The Lion King. McCrary said that "Donald Glover [who voices adult Simba] is so talented that actually did have to take it into consideration, because if Simba is going to grow up to be some sort of figure and you know of it, you have to keep that motive." Also that year, McCrary portrayed a young Michael Jackson in the BET series American Soul, which premiered in February. On April 19, McCrary released his debut EP, Shine, which includes production from Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox.

2024–present: Musical career In 2024, McCrary rebranded his musical stage name to his birth-name, JayDon. On November 8, 2024, he released his first single under his new stage name, "Ah! Ah!" featuring 310babii. In 2025, it was announced that he officially signed with Usher and L.A. Reid's record label Mega in partnership with Larry Jackson's gamma. In 2025, he released his two singles, "Lullaby" and "I'll Be Good". The latter of which received a music video on April 24, 2025.

Artistry In an interview with Vibe, McCrary cited Michael Jackson as his biggest influence, as well as Chris Brown, Stevie Wonder, Bruno Mars, Justin Bieber, Omarion, Bobby Brown, Usher (whom he his currently signed to and mentored by) and Mario.

Discography

Mixtapes Title Details Me My Songs & I Released: October 10, 2025 Label: Zoo, Mega, Gamma Format: Digital download

Extended plays Title Details Shine Released: April 19, 2019 Label: Hollywood Format: Digital download

Singles Title Year "Inviting All of You" 2018 "My Name" "Keep in Touch" 2019 "Winter Wonderland" "Where Do I Belong" "Closer to Christmas" "Stuck With You"(with Coco Quinn) 2020 "Tell Me Why" "Walking on Air" "Don't Go" 2022 "Reminiscin"(featuring J.Dizzle) "Calendar" 2023 "Trip" 2024 "Ah! Ah!"(featuring 310babii) "Lullaby"(featuring Paradise) 2025 "I'll Be Good" "Lullaby Remix"(featuring Paradise, Jay Park, and Louis of Lngshot) "Lullaby Mega Remix"(featuring Paradise and Usher)

Guest appearances + List of guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album nameTitle Other artist(s) Year Album "Terrified" Childish Gambino 2016 "Awaken, My Love!" "Cautionary Tales" Jon Bellion 2018 Glory Sound Prep "This Neverland" G Tom Mac A Lost Boys Story: The Musical (Original Score) "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" Shahadi Wright Joseph, John Oliver 2019 The Lion King: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack "Hakuna Matata" Billy Eichner, Seth Rogen, Donald Glover

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2019 Little Isaac The Lion KingYoung Simba (voice) Nominated - Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor 2022 13 Brett 2023 Wish Singing Animal

Television Year Title Role Notes 2015 Blunt Talk Singing kid Episode: "A Beaver That's Lost Its Mind" 2015–16 K.C. Undercover Young Ernie Cooper 2 episodes 2017 Teachers Ayo Episode: "Brokebitch Mountain" Little Big Shots Himself Episode: "Memory Lane" I'm Dying Up Here Adam's brother Episode: "The Unbelievable Power of Believing" 2018 The Paynes Kenny Payne 2019 American Soul Young Michael Jackson Episode: "68 BC"