Just by listening to the new mixtape from Chris Jackson--No Chaser--and it's pretty clear that this artist brings a different kind of energy to Christian music. That comes from a background, interests, influences and a mission that's diverse and vibrant. If you haven't heard the soaring sounds of this R&B heavyweight, after learning these nine fast facts about him, you'll want to fix that. 

1. He was born and raised in New York.
Jackson was part of a strict Jamaican household where the importance of hard work and the pursuit of an education were instilled in him at a young age. While he worked hard in school, his thoughts often turned to writing songs that would touch the world.
 
2. He didn't like singing at first.
Although he has some pretty golden pipes now, Jackson didn't want to share his gift as a kid. Despite growing up in a musical family, he was very shy: "There are videos of me being very shy, crying in church because I didn't want to (sing)." It wasn't until his twenties, while singing a solo, flanked by his brothers and backed by a choir, that something clicked, and he had a confidence and bravery that didn't previously exist. 

3. He got his start in the music biz as a songwriter.
His first placement was for the song "Pulse," which became the title track of Toni Braxton's 2010 album. After that, Jackson wrote with X-Factor star Cheryl Cole, Tank, Ron Isley, Jasmine V and B. Smyth, among others. He said it wasn't difficult to write for other artists instead of performing them himself, because it developed his skills and was a crucial part of his journey.
 
4. He has toured the world, performing in front of hundreds of thousands of people.
Jackson was a featured vocalist on tour with hip-hop recording artist, and President of G.O.O.D. Music, Pusha T. He said that experience caused him to be more real with his faith in front of colleagues who didn't necessarily share his beliefs, and it freed his mind, to where he no longer has creative limits.

5. He named his first mixtape, No Pressure, based on its creative process.
Jackson said he had a moment where he realized it was time to release his own music, even if he was still figuring out his identity as an artist. But rather than be faced with the burden of writing the next big hit and selling it to the biggest artists, Jackson said he just had a ton of fun with his first project. When describing making the album to somebody, he said it was just "no pressure," and he decided to make that description his album title. 
 
6. His most recent project, No Chaser, is a mix of people's stories. 
Jackson said the mixtape--a journey of a young man wrestling with his faith and the pressures of life--was created from equal parts Jackson's own story, and stories he's absorbed from various people he's known. The first track, for example, "Story of a Champion," was written from the perspective of Jackson's late uncle, a pillar of faith who died unexpectedly from lung cancer in 2012. His lead single "Never Again" was written more autobiographically, from the perspective of a young Christian who has lots of questions.

7. He still buys hard copies of music; yes, that's right--CDs.
Way to support the artists, Chris Jackson! Take notes, everybody else! This is the only way artists make money!
 
8. And his record collection is self-described as "unexpected."
About his musical tastes, Jackson says, "I have every Tribe Called Quest album, but then have every P!nk album; I also have every Janet Jackson album, and every Britney Spears album." He said he bases his own style as an amalgamation of things he loves about music--from hip hop to R&B to gospel to rock. Other influences include Alabama Shakes, Mary Mary, Thomas Whitfield, Donny Hathaway, Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Tyrese, Beyonce, Brandy, Bryson Tiller and Anderson Paak. 

9. He's allergic to shellfish.
So don't feed Chris Jackson some oyster shooters, thank you very much. 

No Chaser is available now for free on Noisetrade!