Donell Jones
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| Donell Jones | |
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 Donell Jones at BET Awards 2006
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Donell Jones |
| Born | May 22, 1973 |
| Origin | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Genre(s) | R&B, pop |
| Occupation(s) | singer-songwriter, producer |
| Years active | 1995 – present |
| Label(s) | LaFace/Jive/BMG |
Donell Jones (born May 22, 1973, Chicago, Illinois) is an American R&B singer, songwriter and record producer.
He is most notable for the hits "U Know What's Up", "Where I Wanna Be" and his cover of Stevie Wonder's "Knocks Me Off My Feet".
Contents |
[edit] Biography
His father, a gospel singer and pastor in Chicago, greatly influenced Jones' soulful sound.
Jones' upbringing was rough. He struggled between wanting to be a musician and a member of the Gangster Disciples, a street gang[citation needed]. After a brush with death, Jones left the gang and focused on a music career forming the group Porscha. However, Jones was gaining notice as a writer penning songs for established R&B acts such as Usher (he producing the singer's 1995 hit "Think of You") and 702 (band)'s "Get It Together". Jones also wrote for groups such as Brownstone and Silk.
He has four daughters with his former girlfriend.
[edit] Music Career
In 1996, Donell Jones signed with LaFace Records and released his debut album, My Heart, which included the hit cover of Stevie Wonder's 1976 ballad "Knocks Me Off My Feet".
It wasn't until 1999, however, that Jones began to establish himself as a true R&B hit maker with his second album, Where I Wanna Be. The album yielded number-one hits such as "U Know What's Up", which featured TLC member Lisa "Left-Eye" Lopes on the title track. Other hits included "Shorty Got Her Eyes on Me" and "All This Love". The album went on to sell over one million copies.
In 2000, Jones recorded the song "I'll Go" for the Love and Basketball soundtrack.
Jones released his third album in 2002, the gold-selling Life Goes On album. It featured the hits, "You Know That I Love You" (#16 R&b) and "Put Me Down" featuring Styles P..
Four years later in 2006 Jones released his fourth album, Journey of a Gemini which included the Tim & Bob produced song "I'm Gonna Be". It had moderate success reaching #40 on Urban AC. "Spend The Night" also received notable airplay.
[edit] Voice
Voice
- Spinto Tenor
Highest note
- E#5 in "Special Girl"
Highest Full Voice Note
- C5 in "Wish You Were Here"
Lowest note
- B2 in "Comeback"[citation needed]
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- 1996: My Heart #180 US
- 1999: Where I Wanna Be #35 US
- 2002: Life Goes On #3 US
- 2006: Journey of a Gemini #15 US, #112 UK
- 2007: The Best Of Donell Jones
[edit] Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | U.S. R&B | |||
| 1996 | "In The Hood" | 79 | 21 | My Heart |
| "Knocks Me Off My Feet" | 49 | 14 | ||
| "You Should Know" | - | - | ||
| 1999 | "U Know What's Up" (featuring Lisa Lopes) | 7 | 1 | Where I Wanna Be |
| "Shorty (Got Her Eyes On Me)" | - | 80 | ||
| 2000 | "This Luv" | - | 48 | |
| "Where I Wanna Be" | 29 | 2 | ||
| "Do What I Gotta Do" | - | 102 | Shaft Soundtrack | |
| 2002 | "You Know That I Love You" | 54 | 16 | Life Goes On |
| "Put Me Down" (featuring Styles P) | 98 | 49 | ||
| "Where You Are (Is Where I Wanna Be) Part 2" | - | - | ||
| 2003 | "Do U Wanna" | - | - | |
| 2006 | "Better Start Talking" (featuring Jermaine Dupri) | - | 72 | Journey of a Gemini |
| "I'm Gonna Be" (featuring Clipse) | - | 41 | ||
| "Special Girl" | - | - | ||
| 2007 | "Ooh Na Na" | - | 63 | |
| "Spend The Night" | - | 74 | ||
