Jabari Banks

Jabari Banks
Banks in 2023
Born
Patrick Jabari Campbell

(1998-08-02) August 2, 1998
Prince George's County, Maryland, U.S.[1]
EducationUniversity of the Arts (attended)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • singer
  • songwriter
Years active2022–present

Patrick Jabari Campbell[2] (born August 2, 1998),[3] known professionally as Jabari Banks, is an American actor and musician.[4] He is best known for starring as Will Smith in the Peacock drama Bel-Air (2022–2025). He released his debut EP ULTRA in 2025.[5]

Early life

Patrick Jabari Campbell was born on 2 August 1998 in Prince George’s County, Maryland.[1] He spent his childhood in West Philadelphia, After high school, he moved to North Philadelphia for about six years while attending the University of the Arts.[1] Campbell studied musical theater before leaving the program during the COVID-19 pandemic.[1]

According to Campbell, he began using his middle name, Jabari, professionally in high school. He later chose the surname "Banks" as a stage name, inspired by his favorite television series, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.[2]

Career

Banks began his career in 2022 with the leading role of Will Smith in Peacock’s Bel-Air, a dramatic reimagining of the 1990 sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.[6][7][8] He also performed as a musician and releases songs under the name Jabari.[9] In December 2023, Banks signed with Epic Records.[10][11] He released his debut single "Something Else", on December 1, 2023.[12] making his entry into the music industry alongside his acting career.[13]

In 2024 his performance on the series Bel-Air earned him another nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series at the 2024 NAACP Image Awards.[14] In 2024, Banks was cast in the thriller film Bad Genius.[15] That same year he released the song "Weekend Drive".[16] The following year, he released his debut extended play ULTRA.[17][18]

Discography

Extended play

List of EPs
Title Music Details Year released
ULTRA
  • Released: September 8, 2025
  • Number of Tracks: 8
  • Label: Epic Records
  • Formats: Streaming, digital download
 2025[19]

Singles

  • "Something Else" (2023)
  • "Weekend Drive" (2024)

Filmography

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2022–2025Bel-AirWill SmithMain role, 38 episodes
TBAMyron BolitarDwayne RichmondMain role, upcoming series

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2024Bad GeniusBank AdedamolaFeature film[20][15]
2025Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last StrawLenwood Heath (voice)Feature film

Film score

Awards and nominations

Award YearCategoryWorkResult Ref.
BET Awards 2022Best ActorBel-AirNominated [21]
NAACP Image Awards 2023Outstanding Actor in a Drama SeriesNominated [22]
NAACP Image Awards 2024Outstanding Actor in a Drama SeriesNominated [14]
Black Reel Awards 2024Outstanding Lead Performance in a Drama SeriesNominated [23]
NAACP Image Awards 2025Outstanding Actor in a Drama SeriesNominated [24][25][26]
NAACP Image Awards 2026Outstanding Actor in a Drama SeriesNominated [27][28][29]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "From PG County to Bel-Air: Jabari Banks' Story". Sommer Time Podcast. October 1, 2025. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  2. 1 2 The Crew Has It (March 8, 2026). Jabari Banks CHANGED HIS NAME to get role w/ Will Smith | The Crew Has It Clips. Retrieved August 14, 2026 – via YouTube.
  3. ↑ Sager, Jessica (February 13, 2022). "Meet Jabari Banks, the Fresh New Face in Hollywood Playing the Fresh New Prince of Bel-Air". Parade. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  4. ↑ Caruso, Skyler (February 11, 2022). "What to Know About 'Bel-Air's Breakout Star Jabari Banks". People.
  5. ↑ Victoria, Kenyatta. "Jabari Banks drops debut EP as Bel-Air ends". EBONY. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  6. ↑ Petski, Denise (December 16, 2021). "'Bel-Air': Peacock's 'Fresh Prince' Drama Reboot Sets Super Bowl Sunday Premiere". Deadline. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Peacock Announces 'Bel-Air' Cast". Essence. September 14, 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  8. ↑ Gibson, Kelsie (September 1, 2021). "Everything You Need to Know About Bel-Air's Rising Star Jabari Banks". Popsugar. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Jabari – Artist Profile". Spotify. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Jabari Releases Debut EP ULTRA via Epic Records". Sheen Magazine. September 13, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  11. ↑ Lamarre, Carl (November 30, 2023). "'Bel-Air' Star Jabari Signs to Epic Records". Billboard. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  12. ↑ Baker, Josh. "Jabari Banks Unveils 'Something Else' Album in TV Spotlight". EBONY. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  13. ↑ Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY), Yohance (December 4, 2023). "'Bel-Air' Star Jabari Banks Releases His Debut Single "Something Else"". AllHipHop. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  14. 1 2 "NAACP Image Awards 2024: Complete Winners List". People. March 16, 2024.
  15. 1 2 Jackson, Angelique (March 23, 2023). "Benedict Wong, Jabari Banks and Callina Liang to Star in 'Bad Genius,' Directed by JC Lee". Variety. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  16. ↑ "GU Jams: Exploring The Artistry Of Jabari Banks". Girls United. August 30, 2024. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  17. ↑ Lee, Ameenha (April 7, 2026). "The Evolution Of ULTRA: Jabari Banks On Love, Faith, And Letting Go". Girls United. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  18. ↑ Parkinson, Megan (August 28, 2025). "Jabari Banks announces 'Ultra' EP out September 5th". // MELODIC Magazine. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  19. ↑ "New Music This Week: Jermaine Dupri, Mario, Coi Leray And More". Essence. September 12, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  20. ↑ Mancini, Maggie (March 24, 2023). "Jabari Banks to star in his first movie, 'Bad Genius,' a remake of a 2017 Thai film". PhillyVoice. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  21. ↑ "BET Awards 2022: Jabari Banks' Fashion Is Nothing Short of 'Fresh'". BET. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  22. ↑ Lewis, Hilary (February 26, 2023). "NAACP Image Awards: Will Smith, Angela Bassett, 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' Among Top Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  23. ↑ Complex, Valerie (June 15, 2023). "Black Reel 7th Annual Television Awards Featuring Gender Neutral Categories Announces Nominations; 'The Best Man: Final Chapters' Leads With 18 Noms". Deadline. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  24. ↑ "NAACP Image Awards 2025: See the Complete Winners List". People.com. Archived from the original on July 26, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  25. ↑ Lewis, Hilary (February 23, 2025). "2025 NAACP Image Awards: Keke Palmer Named Entertainer of the Year as 'The Six Triple Eight' Nabs Two Wins". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  26. ↑ Dixon, Delaina. "NAACP Image Awards Reveal 2026 Nominees". EBONY. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  27. ↑ "'Sinners' Runs the Table at the 2026 NAACP Image Awards". BET. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  28. ↑ Lewis, Hilary (March 1, 2026). "2026 NAACP Image Awards: 'Sinners' Dominates With 13 Wins, Including Best Motion Picture". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  29. ↑ "NAACP Image Awards Unveil 2026 Nominees, Led By Teyana Taylor, Kendrick Lamar, And Cynthia Erivo". Essence. January 12, 2026. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
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