KaMillion

Not to be confused with Chamillionaire.
KaMillion
KaMillion in 2022
Born
Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
Other namesAlja Jackson
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • actress
Television
Musical career
Genres

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]

Life and career

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KaMillion 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

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Filmography

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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

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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

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  1. ^ a b c d Yeung, Neil Z. "Kamillion Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.com. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ "Meet KaMillion, the Breakout Star of Issa Rae's 'Rap Sh!t'". finance.yahoo.com. 22 July 2022. Retrieved 2022-09-08.
  5. ^ a b Robertson, Darryl (2017-11-20). "For Newcomer KaMillion, Things Just "Got Real"". VIBE.com. Retrieved 2022-07-24.
  6. ^ a b "Everything To Know About The Grammy-Winning Rapper Starring In 'Rap Sh!t'". Bustle. 21 July 2022. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ Miller-Gould, Dodie (2021-06-04). "Kamillion's "Fine Azz" sets the tone for "A Black Lady Sketch Show"". LemonWire. Retrieved 2022-07-24.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ 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.
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