Born in Rhode Island, Jonathan Buck was raised primarily in Pasadena, Calif.
During his childhood, he spent many afternoons in the record store owned by his
grandparents. “I literally listened to records all day long,” he attests. “I had
a very large collection, and I didn’t even understand the cultural impact of the
music I was listening to; I just knew I liked certain records, everything by The
Bee Gees, Earth, Wind & Fire, Diana Ross … I didn’t know anything about genre or
style; I just knew good music.”
Good music quickly became an addiction - and a life path... “The summer after I
graduated from high school, I told my dad I was going to pursue music and not go
to college. He just looked at me and said, ‘Well, you better get a record
deal!’” Jon recalls with a laugh... But the young artist’s commitment was no
laughing matter. That very summer he wrote, produced and recorded 40 incredible
songs and began making his rounds to all major record labels. Within a few
months, he’d met Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds and his wife, Tracy Edmonds, who were
interested in signing Jon to their label imprint, Edmonds Record Group (formerly
Yab Yum).
“At first, I was simply trying to secure a deal as a songwriter and producer,”
Jon informs. “But Kenny was adamant about me releasing my own record.”... The
relationship between Jon and Edmonds Record Group immediately bore fruit. His
debut album, 1995’s platinum-certified “Bonafide”, was particularly notable for
the song “Someone To Love,” a duet with Babyface. The single was a 5 hit on the
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay charts.
Looking back, Jon ventures: “That first album was really experimental. It was a
fun project, and it helped me figure out what type of artist I wanted to be. But
it was on my second album that I think I really hit it. I had focus, and I was
growing as an artist.” ... Platinum –certified Cool Relax album shot to the Top
5 of R&B charts upon its release in 1998, fueled by the success of “They Don’t
Know,” a platinum-certified single and a 1 R&B hit. A highly melodic offering
with an ultra-romantic vibe, “They Don’t Know” cemented Jon’s reputation as a
balladeer with real heart. “Are You Still Down,” the B-side to “They Don’t
Know,” peaked at 2 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles and Tracks.
He continued his mission with Pleasures U Like, which rose to 3 on the R&B
charts in 2001. The first single, the hit love-at-first-club-sighting anthem
“Don’t Talk” single-handedly pushed the album past 470,000 units sold and now
yet another certified Gold album... His fourth album “Stronger Everyday”
reaffirmed this fine tradition. Although the album was never promoted correctly
and very limited funds backing the album, Stronger Everyday still managed to
sell over 120,000 units. “It’s a shame that Sanctuary did not push the album the
way they should have, the label had financial problems and stopped spending
money on their artists. I was one of the unfortunate ones who got caught up in
the Sanctuary nightmare, but I still give thanks to Matthew Knowles for giving
me another album for my fans. I sold 120,000 albums based on fan base alone, no
video play, limited radio play, no advertising, no publicity…we basically were
able to sell that many CD’s on website newsletters and live shows”...
“Everything on this album is based on real experiences,” Jon says of the disc.
“These are literal statements - I’m putting my life and soul into this music. An
artist can have hot tracks, but if you’ve been through some rough times - and we
all have - then I want to feel it in your music. I believe you must go deep and
really tap into your emotions before you can speak the truth about anything.”
Jon’s own musical roots go very deep... “Stronger Everyday” and-every-moment
takes us on the musical journey that has become Jon’s life. It is cinematic, a
real-life soundtrack based on one man’s travels, trials and tribulations.
Stronger Everyday was Jon’s first album that went “outside of the box” when it
comes to classic Jon B albums, with more dance tracks and collaborations, which
included: ODB (AKA Dirt McGirt R.I.P.), Scarface, Babyface, Tupac, Beenieman and
Tank. And though some might argue that Jon has vintage soul singers like Marvin
Gaye and Donny Hathaway on his mind whenever he steps into the studio, he has
long been a fixture on the hip-hop scene, having worked with Tupac and Nas,
among many others. “Everytime,” was produced by one of hip-hop’s hottest names,
Just Blaze (Jay-Z, DMX, Fabolous). “Hip-hop has always been an important part of
my life,” Jon affirms. “I came up at a time when kids were banging on tables to
make beats and break dancing in the street, so it just feels completely natural
to incorporate hip-hop into what I do. I don’t view it as a departure; it’s an
extension.”... “Part 2” is the next cut that had to be on this album. It
featured Tupac and the song exactly reflects the title. This is part 2 of the
Tupac/Jon B collaboration and friendship.
Jon teamed up with yet another star in the re-mix of “Everytime” featuring
reggae artist/producer Beanieman. A classic dancehall mix that makes you shake
your groove thang. Most of his fans say that 2004’s “Stronger Everyday” album
was Jon B’s best work to date... “Some people may be surprised to hear I don’t
think of myself as a singer first and foremost, the key to this album is more
the sounds and textures we’ve created. What I want people to hear even more than
the vocals is that sonic chemistry.
There’s something there that’s hard to describe - a feeling, a vibe - that is
the essence of this album. I’m trying to bring the good energy. In that sense,
this is the most mature album I’ve ever done. I’m really proud of it, and the
way people connected with it.”...
Jon’s fifth album entitled “Helpless Romantic” on the Arsenal/Vibezelect/Universal
label is a self-produced album and is all Jon B, although the album will have
special guest appearances (Paul Wall), Jon wrote and produced 95% of the album,
which is due out April 2008. The first single “Ooh So Sexy“ feat. Paul Wall is a
catchy melodic tune and will impact radio February 12, 2008. “We are going back
to the “Cool Relax” days, with the majority of the album being ballads.
Although, my last album Stronger Everyday was a hot album, it was something new
for me, with “Helpless Romantic”; I am going back to my “soul” and my
songwriting skills. This album will be sexy, cool, and hot and my fans will
re-live the “Cool Relax” days.
Once again this album will take you on a journey of what has been happening in
my life since my last album.”
SELECTED DISCOGRAPHY
Bonafide
YabYum/550 Music, 1995.
Cool Relax
YabYum/550 Music, 1997.
Pleasures U Like
Edmonds/Epic, 2001.
Stronger Everyday
Sanctuary/E2 Music Group/Vibe Select/BMG, 2004
Helpless Romantic
Arsenal/Vibezelect/Fontana/Universal, 2008
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