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 "Say You'll Be There" is a song by the English girl group Spice Girls from their debut studio album, ''Spice (album), Spice'' (1996). The Spice Girls co-wrote the song with Eliot Kennedy after the group left Heart Management in 1995. Later, Jo ...

" for the

Spice Girls The Spice Girls are an English girl group formed in 1994, consisting of Mel B ("Scary Spice"), Melanie C ("Sporty Spice"), Emma Bunton ("Baby Spice"), Geri Halliwell ("Ginger Spice"), and Victoria Beckham ("Posh Spice"). They have sold over 10 ...

. His second album '' Cool Relax'' (1997), was certified

platinum Platinum is a chemical element; it has Symbol (chemistry), symbol Pt and atomic number 78. It is a density, dense, malleable, ductility, ductile, highly unreactive, precious metal, precious, silverish-white transition metal. Its name origina ...

by the

Recording Industry Association of America The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is a trade organization that represents the music recording industry in the United States. Its members consist of record labels and distributors that the RIAA says "create, manufacture, and/o ...

(RIAA). ''Cool Relax'' included the hit singles " Are U Still Down" (featuring

Tupac Shakur Tupac Amaru Shakur (; born Lesane Parish Crooks; June 16, 1971 – September 13, 1996), also known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor, regarded as one of the greatest and most influential rappers of all tim ...

) and " They Don't Know". His third album, '' Pleasures U Like'' (2001) reached the top ten on the ''Billboard'' 200 chart.

Early life

Born in

Providence, Rhode Island Providence () is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Rhode Island, most populous city of the U.S. state of Rhode Island. The county seat of Providence County, Rhode Island, Providence County, it is o ...

, United States and raised in

Altadena, California Altadena () is an unincorporated area, and census-designated place in the San Gabriel Valley and the Verdugos regions of Los Angeles County, California. Directly north of Pasadena, California, Pasadena, it is located approximately from Downtow ...

, 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. 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.

Artistry

In the late 1990s, Buck noted that he was inspired by the

neo soul Neo soul (sometimes called progressive soul) is a genre of popular music. As a term, it was coined by music industry entrepreneur Kedar Massenburg during the late 1990s to market and describe a style of music that emerged from Soul music, soul ...

movement, stating "There's a wave of music now that's crossing racial and cultural barriers--like

Lauryn Hill Lauryn Noelle Hill (born May 26, 1975) is an American musician. She is celebrated as one of the most influential musical artists of her generation. Hill is credited with breaking barriers for female rappers, contributing to the popular music, m ...

Erykah Badu Erica Abi Wright (born February 26, 1971), known professionally as Erykah Badu, is an American singer and songwriter. Influenced by rhythm and blues, R&B, Soul music, soul, and hip hop, Badu rose to prominence in the late 1990s when her debut al ...

, and

D'Angelo Michael Eugene Archer (born February 11, 1974), better known by his stage name D'Angelo (), is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. He first garnered attention after co-producing the single "U Will Know" ...

-that's bringing back the classic soul sound." while adding "That's the sound that has influenced me the most in my life."

Career

1994–97: ''Bonafide'' and ''Cool Relax''

Buck initially pursued a songwriting career, and wrote songs for After 7,

Toni Braxton Toni Michele Braxton (born October 7, 1966) is an American singer, songwriter, actress and television personality. She has sold over 70 million records worldwide and is one of the best-selling female artists in history. Braxton has won seven ...

Michael Jackson Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. Dubbed the "King of Pop", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Michael Jackson, one of the most culturally significan ...

, Color Me Badd, the

and others. While on tour promoting ''Cool Relax'', he formed a group with two of his backup singers, Dominiquinn and Silky Deluxe, collectively named Jack Herrera.

2020s

In 2023, it was announced that Jon B. and Tank would team up for a new release.

Discography

Studio albums * '' Bonafide'' (1995) * '' Cool Relax'' (1997) * '' Pleasures U Like'' (2001) * '' Stronger Everyday'' (2004) * '' Helpless Romantic'' (2008) * '' Comfortable Swagg'' (2012) * ''Waiting on You'' (2025)

Awards and nominations

, - ! scope="row" , 1996 ,

Grammy Awards The Grammy Awards, stylized as GRAMMY, and often referred to as The Grammys, are awards presented by The Recording Academy of the United States to recognize outstanding achievements in music. They are regarded by many as the most prestigious a ...

, Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals , " Someone to Love" , , , - ! scope="row" rowspan="6", 1998 , rowspan="6",

Billboard Music Awards The ''Billboard'' Music Awards are honors given out annually by '' Billboard'', a publication covering the music business and a music popularity chart. The ''Billboard'' Music Awards show has been held annually since 1990, with the exception of ...

, Top R&B Artist , Jon B. , , rowspan="6", , - , Top R&B Artists – Male , Jon B. , , - , Top Hot R&B Single , " They Don't Know"/" Are U Still Down" , , - , Top Hot R&B Singles Artists , Jon B. , , - , Top Hot R&B Singles Artists – Male , Jon B. , , - , Top Hot R&B Singles Sales , "They Don't Know"/"Are U Still Down" , , - ! scope="row" ,

1999 1999 was designated as the International Year of Older Persons. Events January * January 1 – The euro currency is established and the European Central Bank assumes its full powers. * January 3 – The Mars Polar Lander is launc ...

Soul Train Music Awards The Soul Train Music Awards is an annual music awards ceremony which honors the best in African-American culture, music and entertainment. It is produced by the production company of '' Soul Train'', the program from which it takes its name, and ...

, Best R&B/Soul Single – Male , "They Don't Know"/"Are U Still Down" , , , -

Other honors

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.

Personal life

Jon B is married to Danette Jackson. The couple have two daughters; L'Wren True and Azure Luna together.

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Jon B. 1974 births 550 Music artists American contemporary R&B singers American male singer-songwriters American male pop singers Record producers from Rhode Island American people of Dutch descent Jewish American musicians Living people Musicians from Providence, Rhode Island Songwriters from Rhode Island 21st-century American singer-songwriters 21st-century American male singers MNRK Music Group artists Sanctuary Records artists Epic Records artists 21st-century American Jews