Author: JD

No pressure: Austin Brown comes from music royalty. Michael Jackson and Randy Jackson are uncles. Janet’s his aunt. by Korina Lopez, USA TODAY Published: 12/24/2012 09:20pm With his pedigree, emerging artist Austin Brown has a few unfair advantages. Or a lot to live up to, depending on how you look at it. Janet Jackson’s his aunt. His uncle Michael Jackson gave him a few singing and dancing lessons. Randy Jackson taught him about song structure. His mother is Rebbie “Centipede” Jackson. Prince, as in Purple Rain, gave him this tip about playing piano: “He told me to keep playing, no matter what. ‘By the time you’re my age you’ll be able to play anything you want.’ I’ll never forget that.” Listen: Highway 85 on Soundcloud With his mixtape, Highway 85, available as a free download from his site, www.austinbrown.com, perhaps the 27-year-old will prove that he’s up to the task of taking over the family business, so to speak. He either wrote or co-wrote all 11 tracks. He has shared a stage with Miguel and Lupe Fiasco, and BET named him one of their Music Matters artists. Over the past few months, Brown has been under the management of producer Jermaine DuPr, Janet’s ex-boyfriend. Does he have what it takes to be the next Jackson to make it? No pressure. Copyright 2012 USATODAY.com