At just 17 years old, Durrell Babbs Jr. is carving his own path in the music industry. A singer, songwriter and pianist, Babbs released a Christmas song to celebrate the holiday season and hopes it brings people joy in a time of uncertainty.

Durrell Babbs Jr. comes from an accomplished family of musicians

Babbs grew up in a musical environment. His father is veteran R&B singer Tank, whose real name is Durrell Babbs Sr. His mother is Alysse Stewart, a well-known radio personality, program director and host on Magic 106.9 in Fayetteville, NC.

“I hear her voice on the radio, and I just know it’s her. She puts that spin on it — her own spin to make it hers,” Babbs said of his mother, according to CB S17. “My dad, his singing — he just does it.”

Stewart complimented her son’s own endeavors in music. 

“How proud I am of him — it’s pretty dang gone big,” she said.

Babbs started his musical journey at a young age — taking piano lessons when he was 7 years old.

“And after that, I kept going. I kept learning songs and songs,” he said in an interview with Spectrum News.

As a high school senior, Babbs is also interested in acting. He is currently performing as a main character in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at Cape Fear Regional Theatre. Babbs plans on pursuing music after graduation and auditioning for a spot at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem.

Durrell Babbs Jr.’s first song celebrates Christmas

Babbs debuted “Christmas So Songs” during last year’s holiday season, so this release marks a relaunch. “Christmas So Songs” was co-written and recorded alongside his godfather, Eddie Owens.

“This is a big first, because on a holiday that can be either a hit or a miss,” Babbs said, according to CBS 17. “It’s a song that will hit right during the holidays, at that specific time to be given and be gifted.” 

Babbs said he wants to promote feel-good music, especially during the holidays.

“I wanted to make something that everybody can resonate with, even though there’s a lot of bad days, there’s always good days to come right after,” he told Spectrum News.

Babbs also hopes that releasing the track inspires others to use their talent for good, saying, “You got to give the gift, make everybody happy around the world.”