Jon B. | |
|---|---|
 Buck in 2023 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Jonathan David Buck |
| Also known as | Jon B |
| Born | November 11, 1974 Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. |
| Origin | Pasadena, California, U.S.[1] |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) |
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| Years active | 1994–present |
| Labels |
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| Website | jonbworld |
Jonathan David Buck (born November 11, 1974) is an American R&B singer, songwriter and record producer. His debut album Bonafide (1995) spawned the hit singles "Pretty Girl" and "Someone to Love" (featuring Babyface), the latter of which reached the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated at the Grammys Awards for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals. The following year, he co-wrote the single "Say You'll Be There" for the Spice Girls. His second album Cool Relax (1997), was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Cool Relax included the hit singles "Are U Still Down" (featuring Tupac Shakur) and "They Don't Know". His third album, Pleasures U Like (2001) reached the top ten on the Billboard 200 chart.
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]
Jon B's early influences as a musician include: Duran Duran, INXS, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, Babyface, Prince, and Sade. He spent the summer after high school writing, producing and recording 40 songs and began making his rounds to all the major record labels.
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] Buck's popularity began in the mid-1990s, after he released his debut studio album in 1995 titled Bonafide; which 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]
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B | |||
| Bonafide | 79 | 24 | ||
| Cool Relax |
|
33 | 5 |
|
| Pleasures U Like | 6 | 3 |
| |
| Stronger Everyday |
|
140 | 17 | |
| Holiday Wishes: From Me to You |
|
— | — | |
| Helpless Romantic |
|
109 | 11 | |
| Comfortable Swagg |
|
— | — | |
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [10][11][12] |
US R&B [10] |
UK [13] | |||
| "Someone to Love" (featuring Babyface) |
1995 | 10 | 7 | 98 | Bonafide |
| "Pretty Girl" | 25 | 21 | 78 | ||
| "Isn't It Scary" | 1996 | — | 66 | — | |
| "Simple Melody" (featuring Bootsy Collins) |
— | — | — | ||
| "Don't Say" | 1997 | 68 | 34 | — | Cool Relax |
| "Are U Still Down"[A] (featuring 2Pac) |
1998 | 29 | 2 | — | |
| "They Don't Know"[A] | 7 | 32 | |||
| "I Do (Whatcha Say Boo)" | 117 | 18 | — | ||
| "Cool Relax" | — | — | — | ||
| "Don't Talk" | 2001 | 58 | 21 | 29 | Pleasures U Like |
| "Now I'm With You" | — | 117 | — | ||
| "Lately" | 2004 | — | — | 68 | Stronger Everyday |
| "Everytime" | — | — | 193 | ||
| "Ooh So Sexy" (featuring Paul Wall) |
2008 | — | 98 | — | Helpless Romantic |
| "Helpless Romantic" | — | 25 | — | ||
| "Only One" | 2012 | — | — | — | Comfortable Swagg |
| "Comfortable Swagg" | — | — | — | ||
| "Understand" (featuring Donell Jones) |
2019 | — | — | — | TBA |
| "Priceless" | — | — | — | ||
| 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]
