Honestly, it feels like we’ve been waiting a lifetime for Austin Brown to truly claim the throne everyone expected him to take a decade ago. Being the son of Rebbie Jackson and the nephew of Michael Jackson comes with a weight most of us can’t even wrap our heads around. For years, people just saw him as a legacy act or a producer behind the scenes working with legends like Quincy Jones and Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins. But 2026 has been different.
If you’re wondering what is austin brown doing now, the short answer is: he’s finally stopped running from his last name and started using it to build something entirely his own. He isn’t just a "Jackson nephew" anymore. He’s a double Grammy winner with a touring schedule that would make most indie artists dizzy.
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The Grammy Glory and The Festival Era
Last year was a massive pivot for him. Most people didn't realize that Brown was actually a huge part of the 67th Annual Grammy Awards. He didn't just attend; he took home hardware for his work on projects like Tank and the Bangas' The Heart, The Mind, The Soul and Lucky Daye’s Algorithm. That recognition basically served as the green light he needed to drop his most personal project to date, The Festival.
Released in early 2025 with his band BLVK CVSTLE, The Festival is kinda like a soul-funk journey through his own head. It’s got 14 tracks that feel way more like Off the Wall than modern radio pop, which is probably why it resonated so well. He spent years in the "Royal Factory"—his creative space—just tinkering. Now, that tinkering has turned into a full-blown solo career.
Live on the Road: The Ain't Done Dreamin' Tour
Right now, as we sit in early 2026, Austin is literally in the middle of his "Ain't Done Dreamin' Tour." It’s a grueling schedule. Just look at the lineup:
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He kicked things off in Rosemont, IL on January 22nd, and he's hitting spots like the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis and The Peppermint Club in West Hollywood. If you’ve ever seen him live, it’s not the flashy, choreographed pop show you might expect from a Jackson. It’s raw. He’s usually got a guitar in his hand, a small band behind him, and he leans heavily into that "Canyon Sessions" vibe—very acoustic, very soulful.
What’s interesting is how he’s mixing his R&B roots with a newer, country-leaning sound. He even appeared on America's Got Talent in late 2025, performing an original song called "Whiskey." It shocked a lot of people who only knew him as an R&B producer. It turns out, after 11 years with the a cappella group Home Free, those country roots stuck.
Balancing the Jackson Legacy with a Private Life
You’ve probably seen the headlines about the Michael Jackson biopic starring his cousin, Jaafar Jackson. Austin has been pretty vocal about supporting his family through that process, even mentioning how emotional it was to see the screen tests. But while his family is back in the massive global spotlight, Austin seems to prefer the "quiet" side of fame.
He’s been spending a lot of time with his grandmother, Katherine Jackson. He recently shared that playing board games with her is what actually keeps him grounded. It’s a weird contrast—one night he’s headlining a residency at Anderson .Paak’s club in LA, and the next he’s just "Auggie" (his family nickname) hanging out with his 95-year-old grandma.
What's actually on his playlist and his mind?
He’s a student of the craft, basically a music nerd. He’s gone on record saying he still studies Stevie Wonder’s Innervisions and D’Angelo’s Voodoo to understand how to make music that doesn't age. You can hear that influence in his 2026 single "Smile," which features Noah Peters. It’s got that classic soul feel but sounds crisp enough for 2026.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you want to keep up with what Austin Brown is doing right now, don't just wait for him to pop up on the news. He’s way more active in smaller, more intimate spaces.
- Track the Tour: He’s booked through the summer, including a stop at the Hoofbeat Country Fest in Wisconsin this June. If you're in the Midwest, that's your best bet to see the "new" Austin.
- Listen to The Festival: It’s on all streaming platforms. Pay attention to the track "California"—it’s probably the best representation of his current sound.
- Check the Credits: He’s still producing. Keep an eye on R&B credits for artists like Lucky Daye or Leon Thomas; his name pops up more often than you’d think.
Basically, Austin Brown isn't just surviving the legacy of his family; he’s finally outgrown it. He’s found a way to be a songwriter, a producer, and a touring artist without losing his mind in the process. It's a rare thing to see someone from that dynasty find genuine peace in just being a musician.