Jabari Banks
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
August 2, 1998
- Actor
- singer
- songwriter
Jabari Banks | |
|---|---|
 Banks speaking onstage at CultureCon in 2025 | |
| Born | August 2, 1998 |
| Alma mater | University of the Arts (attended) |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2022–present |
Patrick Jabari Campbell (born August 2, 1998), known professionally as Jabari Banks, is an American actor and musician.[2] He is best known for starring as Will Smith in the Peacock drama Bel-Air (2022–2025). In addition to acting, he releases music under the mononym Jabari, including the EP ULTRA (2025).[3]
Banks was born and raised in Prince George’s County, Maryland.[1] He attended Riverdale Baptist School in Upper Marlboro, where he first became involved in acting, singing, and writing music.[citation needed]
Banks has family in West Philadelphia and spent time there throughout his upbringing. After high school, he moved to Philadelphia full-time and lived in North Philadelphia for about six years while attending the University of the Arts.[1] He studied musical theater before leaving the program during the COVID-19 pandemic.[1]
According to Banks, 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.[citation needed]
Career
Acting
Banks made his television debut in 2022 in the leading role of Will Smith in Peacock’s Bel-Air, a dramatic reimagining of the 1990 sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.[4][5] His performance earned him a nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series at the 2024 NAACP Image Awards.[6]
In 2024, Banks appeared in the heist thriller Bad Genius.[7]
Music
Banks is also active as a musician, releasing work under the mononym Jabari. His official Spotify biography highlights his creative background, his early artistic development, and the importance of spiritual alignment in his work.[8]
He released his debut single "Something Else" in 2023, followed by "Weekend Drive" in 2024. In 2025, he released the 8-track EP ULTRA, which includes the songs:
- "Lobby"
- "No Trouble"
- "that one laundromat"
- "Makeup Sex"
- "Eastside bb"
- "In My Head"
- "ULTRA"
- "Amen."[9]
Filmography
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–2025 | Bel-Air | Will Smith | Main role |
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Bad Genius | Bank Adedamola | Feature film[10][7] |
| 2025 | Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw | Lenwood Heath (voice) | Feature film |