Born in Providence, Rhode Island, United States and raised in Altadena, California, Buck comes from a musical family—his father, David, was a professor of music; his mother, Linda, was a concert pianist; his sister Deborah was a violinist; and his brother Kevin was a cellist.[2] His mother is Jewish and his father is of Dutch descent. In 1992, Jon B. was shopping demos when he caught the attention of Tracey Edmonds, then-president and CEO of Yab-Yum Records.[2]
In the late 1990s, Buck noted that he was inspired by the neo soul movement, stating "There's a wave of music now that's crossing racial and cultural barriers--like Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, and D'Angelo-that's bringing back the classic soul sound." while adding "That's the sound that has influenced me the most in my life."[3]
1994–97: Bonafide and Cool Relax
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Before his rise to fame, Buck pursued a songwriting career, and wrote songs for After 7, Toni Braxton, Michael Jackson, Color Me Badd, the Spice Girls and others.[4][5] His debut studio album in 1995 titled Bonafide;l spawned the popular hit and Grammy-nominated single "Someone to Love", which featured Babyface. The album was a commercial success, selling over one million copies and being certified platinum.
He released his second studio album, Cool Relax, in 1997; the album spawned the top-10 single "They Don't Know" and two other top-20 hits, including "Are U Still Down" featuring Tupac Shakur. Cool Relax received generally positive reviews from music critics, and it is his most successful album commercially; it has been certified as double platinum by the RIAA. Buck would also co-write the Brownstone hit "5 Miles to Empty" in 1997.
While on tour promoting Cool Relax, he formed a group with two of his backup singers, Dominiquinn and Silky Deluxe, collectively named Jack Herrera.[6] A full album, titled Retro Futuristo, was put together but never officially released.
In 2023, it was announced that Jon B. and Tank would team up for a new release.[7]
- 1999: Love Hurts
- 2002: Are U Still Down: Greatest Hits
- 2013: B-Sides Collection
- 2013: Digital Dynasty R&B 3[9]
Awards and nominations
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Year |
Award
|
1995 |
Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for "Someone to Love"
|
1998 |
Billboard Music Award nomination for Top R&B Artist
|
1998 |
Billboard Music Award nomination for Top R&B Artists – Male
|
1998 |
Billboard Music Award nomination for Top Hot R&B Single for "They Don't Know/Are U Still Down"
|
1998 |
Billboard Music Award nomination for Top Hot R&B Singles Artists
|
1998 |
Billboard Music Award nomination for Top Hot R&B Singles Artists – Male
|
1998 |
Billboard Music Award nomination for Top Hot R&B Singles Sales for "They Don't Know/Are U Still Down"
|
1998 |
Soul Train Music Award nomination for Best Male Single for "They Don't Know/Are U Still Down"
|
On January 15, 2016, Rep. Carlos E. Tobon and Mayor Don Grebien presented Jon B. with a state citation and a key to the City of Pawtucket[16]
Jon B is married to Danette Jackson. The couple have two daughters; L'Wren True and Azure Luna together.[17]
- ^ a b "Are U Still Down" and "They Don't Know" were issued together as a double-sided single. The two songs were listed as a single entry on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart because both were receiving substantial airplay at the publication's panel of R&B radio stations.[14] On the Hot 100, each song was listed individually at different times over a single chart run, as neither title had reached the Hot 100 Airplay component chart when the latter overtook the former in airplay.[15]
- ^ "Jon B. | News, Music Performances and Show Video Clips". MTV.com. Archived from the original on August 10, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
- ^ a b Hunter, Karen. "JON B: 'THAT GRAMMY & ME'". New York Daily News. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
- ^ Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. March 20, 1999.
- ^ Color Me Badd - Now & Forever, retrieved March 20, 2023
- ^ Color Me Badd - Sexual Capacity, retrieved March 20, 2023
- ^ MTV News – Articles – 1430674 – 02101999. MTV.
- ^ BET article from Nov. 22, 2023 about planned cooperation
- ^ a b c "Gold/Platinum: Jon B." Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
- ^ "Download: Digital Dynasty 3, Hosted By The Alchemist". Ballerstatus.com. December 20, 2008. Archived from the original on September 10, 2018. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
- ^ a b Billboard.com – Artist Chart History – Jon B.. Retrieved November 6, 2007.
- ^ allmusic ( Jon B. > Discography > Singles & EPs ). Retrieved November 6, 2007.
- ^ "Billboard Hot 100 Singles". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 20. BPI Communications. May 16, 1998. p. 100. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 35. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ Faison, Datu (March 14, 1998). "Datu Faison's Rhythm Section". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 11. BPI Communications. p. 36. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
- ^ Sandiford-Waller, Theda (May 23, 1998). "Hot 100 Singles Spotlight". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 21. BPI Communications. p. 93. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
- ^ "MEDIA ADVISORY: Rep. Tobon and Mayor Grebien to present Jon B. with citations and key to the City of Pawtucket". State of Rhode Island. January 15, 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
- ^ Van Der Merwe, Lea-Ann (June 26, 2018). "Jon B. steals hearts with new photos of his biracial daughters". AmoMamma. Archived from the original on January 7, 2024. Retrieved January 7, 2024.