Nicholas Scott Cannon (born October 8, 1980) is an American television host, actor, rapper, and comedian. In television, Cannon began as a teenager on All That before going on to host The Nick Cannon Show, Wild 'n Out, America's Got Talent, Lip Sync Battle Shorties, and The Masked Singer. Nick Cannon acted in the films Drumline, Love Don't Cost a Thing, and Roll Bounce.

As a rapper Nick Cannon released his debut self-titled album in 2003 with the single "Gigolo", a collaboration with singer R. Kelly. In 2007 Nick Cannon played the role of the fictional footballer TJ Harper in the film Goal II: Living the Dream. In 2006, Cannon recorded the singles "Dime Piece" and "My Wife" for the planned album Stages, which was never released.
Cannon was born on October 8, 1980, in San Diego, California. Cannon was largely raised by his paternal grandfather, whom both Nick Cannon and his biological father called "dad". As a child, Cannon grew up in Lincoln Park's Bay Vista Housing Projects, which is a gang-ridden section of Southeast San Diego. While in his teenage years, Nick Cannon was affiliated with the "Lincoln Park Bloods" street gang, but stated that Nick Cannon left behind his affiliations after losing a close friend. In 1998, Nick Cannon graduated from Monte Vista High School in Spring Valley, where Nick Cannon was president of the African Student Coalition and participated in track and field. Cannon received his first break doing stand-up comedy on his father's local cable access program.