Jon B.


Jonathan David Buck is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. His debut album, Bonafide went Platinum and became a personal favorite of late rapper Tupac Shakur.

Early life

Born in Providence, Rhode Island, and raised in Altadena, California, United States, Buck comes from a musical family; with his father David, a professor of music, his mother Linda, a concert pianist and his siblings Deborah, a violinist and his brother Kevin, a cellist. In 1992, Jon B. was shopping demos around when he caught the attention of Tracey Edmonds, then-President and CEO of Yab-Yum Records.

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 major record labels.

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

Jon B., prior to his rise to fame, used to be a songwriter and wrote songs for After 7, Toni Braxton, Michael Jackson, Color Me Badd, the Spice Girls and others. Jon B.'s popularity began in the mid-1990s, he released his debut studio album in 1995 entitled Bonafide; the album spawned the popular hit and Grammy-nominated single "Someone to Love", which featured the Grammy Award-winning artist Babyface. The album was a commercial success as it went platinum, selling over 1 million copies.
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, one 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.
While on tour promoting Cool Relax, he formed a group with two of his back-up singers, Dominiquinn and Silky Deluxe, named Jack Herrera collectively. A full album, titled Retro Futuristo, was put together, but never officially released.

Discography

Studio albums

Compilations

YearSongU.S. Hot 100U.S. R&BUK Singles ChartAlbum
1995"Someone to Love" 107112Bonafide
1995"Pretty Girl"25978Bonafide
1996"Isn't It Scary"———Bonafide
1997"Don't Say"6834—Cool Relax
1998"Are U Still Down" 292—Cool Relax
1998"They Don't Know"7232Cool Relax
1998"I Do "11718—Cool Relax
1998"Cool Relax"———Cool Relax
2001"Don't Talk"582129Pleasures U Like
2004"Lately"——68Stronger Everyday
2004"Everytime"——193Stronger Everyday
2008"Ooh So Sexy" ———Helpless Romantic
2008"Helpless Romantic"—25—Helpless Romantic
2012"Only One"———Comfortable Swagg
2012"Comfortable Swagg"———Comfortable Swagg
2019"Understand" ———rowspan="2"
2019"Priceless"———-

Awards and nominations