Jon B.

Jon B.
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. He then 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.
Early life
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. 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 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."
Career
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.
1994–97: Bonafide and Cool Relax
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. 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 1 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. A full album, titled Retro Futuristo, was put together but never officially released.
Discography
Studio albums
Compilations
1999: Love Hurts
2002: Are U Still Down: Greatest Hits
2013: B-Sides Collection
Mixtapes
2013: Digital Dynasty R&B 3
Singles
Notes
Awards and nominations
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
References
External links
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