As a Māori descendant born in Turangi, New Zealand, Jackson has always been inspired by the likes of Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Stevie Wonder and now being heavily influenced by the new wave of R&B Soul such as John Legend, Allen Stone, Daniel Cesar and Khalid. Most importantly, his family is his biggest motivation and influence on this journey of his.
The past 12 months have been very busy for Jackson. He has been touring and performing with the likes of Six60, Sons of Zion and Stan Walker. Jackson has also teamed up with NZ record label Five AM and Australian based management team Ginnen Group to create and release his debut solo project.
Jackson has created a body of work with record producer Rory Noble (Kanye West, Ruel, Claire Rosinkranz) and is set to release his first single ‘Better With You’ in August which will set the tone of Jackson’s project which is set to release later in the year.
Better with you is Jackson’s kickstart into his solo work after having massive success with his collaboration tune “Love On The Run” with Sons of Zion. Better with you paints a story of a young couple who have undeniable love and through any problem, they are both there for each other. The tune really shares a message of being grateful for having someone that is there for you which in this day in age is something that Jackson believes is important across any sort of relationship. This new single really sets the emotional yet positive sonic tone to the overall project which is set to be released by the end of the year.
‘Better with you’ depicts time lost in a relationship where you were in many ways too scared to commit. Time apart makes you realise what you did have with that person was what completed you & made you whole. Now, here you are ready to ‘dive in’ because you're Better with that person. That’s what it means to him.
