Jon B.

Jonathan David Buck 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.

Jon B.
Birth name	Jonathan David Buck
Born	1975 or 1976 (age 49–50)[1] Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
Origin	Pasadena, California, U.S.[2]
Genres	R&B soul
Occupations	Singer songwriter record producer
Years active	1994–present
Labels	E1 Vibezelect Arsenal Edmonds Music Sanctuary Yab Yum 550 Epic
Website	jonbworld.com

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.^[3] 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.^[3]

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."^[4]

Career

1994–97: Bonafide and Cool Relax

Buck initially pursued a songwriting career, and wrote songs for After 7, Toni Braxton, Michael Jackson, Color Me Badd, the Spice Girls and others.^[5][6]

While on tour promoting Cool Relax, he formed a group with two of his backup singers, Dominiquinn and Silky Deluxe, collectively named Jack Herrera.^[7]

2020s

In 2023, it was announced that Jon B. and Tank would team up for a new release.^[8]

Discography

Main article: Jon B. 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)^[9]

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Nominee(s)	Result	Ref.
1996	Grammy Awards	Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals	"Someone to Love"	Nominated	[10]
1998	Billboard Music Awards	Top R&B Artist	Jon B.	Nominated	[citation needed]
		Top R&B Artists – Male	Jon B.	Nominated
		Top Hot R&B Single	"They Don't Know"/"Are U Still Down"	Nominated
		Top Hot R&B Singles Artists	Jon B.	Nominated
		Top Hot R&B Singles Artists – Male	Jon B.	Nominated
		Top Hot R&B Singles Sales	"They Don't Know"/"Are U Still Down"	Nominated
1999	Soul Train Music Awards	Best R&B/Soul Single – Male	"They Don't Know"/"Are U Still Down"	Nominated	[11]

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.^[12]

Personal life

Jon B is married to Danette Jackson. The couple have two daughters; L'Wren True and Azure Luna together.^[13]