Alja Jackson, professionally known as KaMillion and previously known as Alja KaMillion, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and actress.[1][2][3] She was a cast member on season 3 of Love & Hip Hop: Miami and currently co-stars on the Max comedy series Rap Sh!t.[4]
KaMillion | |
|---|---|
 KaMillion in 2022 | |
| Born | Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. |
| Other names | Alja Jackson |
| Occupations |
|
| Television | |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
Life and career
editKaMillion was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida on the city's north side.[5][3]
KaMillion began her career as a background dancer and vocalist, before establishing herself as a songwriter for artists such as Jordin Sparks, Rihanna, Missy Elliott, Pussycat Dolls, and Diddy.[3][5][6] She initially released R&B-influenced mixtapes under the name Alja KaMillion, before venturing into trap music with the 2013 single "Mr. Money Bags" featuring Future.[7] In 2019, she received a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album for her songwriting credits on H.E.R.'s self-titled album.[3] That year she and Lil Duval were the opening act for the BET Hip Hop Awards.[3]
She gained wider prominence in 2020 after she joined the cast of season three of Love & Hip Hop: Miami.[8] The track "Twerk 4 Me" went viral that year, although it was originally released in 2018.[9] Her track "Fine Azz" is the theme song for A Black Lady Sketch Show's second season.[10]
KaMillion has acted on shows including Star and The Quad.[8] In 2022, she appeared in her first lead role as the character Mia Knight on the Max comedy series Rap Sh!t, loosely based on Yung Miami of City Girls.[2] For her performance she was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series.[11] Angie Han of the Hollywood Reporter advocated for her to receive a Primetime Emmy Award nomination: "Much of the pleasure of Rap Sh!t is simply how well KaMillion connects with the camera. She makes Mia’s joy infectious and her warmth palpable. She’s magnetic as a rapper and dancer, even when the pair are just playing around in Shawna’s makeshift studio."[12]
Songwriting credits
edit- Diddy-Dirty Money ft. Trey Songz – "Your Love" (2010)[3]
- Trey Songz – "Already Taken" (2010)[3]
- Rihanna – "Watch n' Learn" (2011)[3]
- Keke Palmer – "Love Me, Love Me Not" and "Takes Me Away" (2012)[3]
- Jordin Sparks – "1000" (2015)[3]
- Samantha Jade – ""Let the Good Times Roll"[3]
- H.E.R.- "Rather Be" (2019)[6]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Joyful Noise | Holy Vision Church of Detroit Choir Member | Credited as Alja Jackson |
| 2012 | After Effect | Keisha Jackson | Credited as Alja Jackson |
| 2017 | The Quad | Female Vocalist | Credited as Alja KaMillion; Season 1, Episode 3 |
| 2017 | When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story | Meesha | Credited as Alja KaMillion |
| 2017 | Star | Meesha | Credited as Alja KaMillion; Season 2, Episode 3 |
| 2020 | Love & Hip Hop: Miami | Herself | Guest; Season 3 |
| 2022–2023 | Rap Sh!t | Mia Knight | Main role |
| 2023 | Wild 'n Out | Herself | Guest |
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Grammy Award | Best R&B Album | H.E.R. | Won | |
| 2023 | Independent Spirit Awards | Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series | Rap Sh!t | Nominated | [11] |
References
edit- ^ a b c d Yeung, Neil Z. "Kamillion Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.com. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
- ^ a b Manno, Adam (2022-07-22). "Meet KaMillion, the Breakout Star of Issa Rae's 'Rap Sh!t'". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2022-07-24.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Why you need to know Jacksonville's Grammy-winning songwriter, rapper, new VH1 reality TV star KaMillion". firstcoastnews.com. 2019-12-13. Retrieved 2022-07-24.
- ^ "Meet KaMillion, the Breakout Star of Issa Rae's 'Rap Sh!t'". finance.yahoo.com. 22 July 2022. Retrieved 2022-09-08.
- ^ a b Robertson, Darryl (2017-11-20). "For Newcomer KaMillion, Things Just "Got Real"". VIBE.com. Retrieved 2022-07-24.
- ^ a b "Everything To Know About The Grammy-Winning Rapper Starring In 'Rap Sh!t'". Bustle. 21 July 2022. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
- ^ More, Rodney B. MoreRodney B. (5 February 2013). "Download or Delete: Alja KaMillion Ft Future – Mr. Moneybags". Power 93.7 WBLK. Retrieved 2022-07-24.
- ^ a b Sledge, Philip (2022-07-22). "Rap Sh!t Cast: Where You've Seen The Actors From The HBO Max Series Before". CINEMABLEND. Retrieved 2022-07-24.
- ^ Perkins, Njera (2022-07-22). ""Rap Sh!t"'s KaMillion Has Written Songs For Rihanna, Diddy, and H.E.R." POPSUGAR Entertainment. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
- ^ Miller-Gould, Dodie (2021-06-04). "Kamillion's "Fine Azz" sets the tone for "A Black Lady Sketch Show"". LemonWire. Retrieved 2022-07-24.
- ^ a b Hipes, Patrick; Petski, Denise (2022-12-13). "Film Independent Spirit Awards TV Nominations: 'Abbott Elementary', 'Pachinko', 'The Bear' 'Severance', More". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-12-14.
- ^ Han, Angie (2023-06-20). "Critic's Appreciation: 'Rap Sh!t' Star KaMillion Should Be a Contender for Her Breakthrough Role". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-07-15.