Although born in Milwaukee, “The Chi” star Jacob Latimore briefly lived in Detroit, where he developed deep ties to Black Midwestern storytelling.

He got his start in music, and by age 9 he was already writing songs and recording music, eventually landing on BET’s 106 & Park in his teen years, where he gained attention with his singles “Best Friend” and “Like ‘Em All.”

Influenced by R&B greats like Michael Jackson, Ne-Yo, Chris Brown, and Usher, he busied himself studying the work of performers who were experts at connecting with their audience…not just singing…and that early discipline would set the stage for a very successful career to come.

In an industry where it’s common for most young singers to fizzle out or get caught up in the industry’s machine, Jacob Latimore did more than just pivot…he skyrocketed.

In short order, Jacob Latimore starred in “Black Nativity,” “Ride Along,” “Collateral Beauty,” and “Detroit,” Kathryn Bigelow’s film dramatizing the Algiers Motel incident that unfolded during the 1967 Detroit uprising, a project that linked him directly to the city’s historical narrative.

Jacob didn’t play the hero.

He played the traumatized young Black boy—a position far too many Detroiters across generations can relate to being in.

Suddenly, it was clear:

Latimore wasn’t chasing clout.

He was chasing a lasting career.

In 2018, Jacob landed the role that would go on to define his career:

Emmett Washington on Showtime’s hit show “The Chi,” a series rooted in the rawness, contradictions, and understated beauty of Black Midwestern life.

Through playing Emmet, Latimore has been given a chance to flex his chops—emotionally, psychologically, and narratively, with his character transforming from an immature teenage father and street hustler to a man navigating the complexities of love, loss, and legacy.

It isn’t just a Chicago story.

Detroit viewers also see themselves in Emmett.

They know that arc.

It’s familiar.

It’s real.

Then there’s Jacob as an actor: his style, tone, and collaborations reflect a broader Midwestern creative ethic.
He’s worked with artists and producers tied to Detroit’s R&B and hip-hop circuits, regularly champions for artists from the region, and his fashion, interviews, and music all carry that signature cool fire that defines Detroit soul-lowey but undeniable.

In short:

Jacob Latimore didn’t wait for the industry to give him a lane.
He built one himself.

He’s not just an actor or a singer. He’s a force—graceful, grounded, and still rising, with Detroit’s rhythm in his stride.

Victoria Jackson (Editor In Chief)

Victoria Jackson is a lifelong student and sharp-eyed documentarian of all things Detroit, from its rich musical roots and cultural icons to its shifting neighborhoods, storied architecture, and underground legends. With her finger firmly on the pulse of both the city’s vibrant past and its rapidly unfolding future, she brings a deeply personal, historically grounded lens to every piece she writes.

Published on: September 24, 2025