Donell Jones

  • Chicago, IL
    hometown
  • R&B/Soul
    genre
  • 1993
    started
  • Bio
    full story
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About Donell Jones


Beginning with his 1996 album My Heart, singer/songwriter/producer Donell Jones recorded a jazzy and soulful style of urban pop for LaFace Records and scored a few modest singles in the process. His first two singles -- "In the Hood" and "Knocks Me Off My Feet" -- established his reputation within the competitive urban market. In particular, the latter song, originally a Stevie Wonder song from Songs in the Key of Life (1976), became a substantial hit for Jones, climbing to the upper reaches of the Billboard R&B chart and driving the album up the charts as well. In addition to his own music, he also wrote songs for other urban artists such as Usher ("Think of You") and 702 ("Get It Together"), among others.

Born the son of a gospel singer, Jones immersed himself in music at a young age. Later, he began to fall victim to the temptations of Chicago's South Side, where he grew up. At one point, after involving himself with gang culture, he decided to dedicate himself to music rather than the streets. He met Edward "Eddie F" Ferrell (former Heavy D & the Boyz member turned Untouchables Entertainment president), and the two formed a partnership with LaFace. Following the success of Usher's "Think of You" in 1994 (number eight R&B), a song written by Jones, LaFace executives L.A. Reid and Babyface gave the blossoming artist the go-ahead to begin work on his solo debut. Executive produced by Ferrell, Reid, and Babyface, My Heart peaked at number 30 on Billboard's R&B chart in 1996, propelled primarily by the success of "Knocks Me Off My Feet" as well as two other singles: "In the Hood" and "You Should Know."

When Jones returned three years later in 1999 with his second album, Where I Wanna Be, he had become known as an accomplished songwriter. He penned songs for 702 ("Get It Together," 1997) and Drea ("Not Gonna Letcha," 1998) and was well regarded within the industry as a result. Unsurprisingly then, Jones attained impressive success with Where I Wanna Be and its singles: "U Know What's Up" and "Shorty (Got Her Eyes on Me)." Shortly after the album's release, he contributed a song to the Shaft soundtrack ("Do What I Gotta Do") and to Guru's Streetsoul album ("Hustlin' Daze," which he also contributed vocals to). Following some time off in 2001, Jones returned in 2002 with his third album, Life Goes On. The album peaked at number three on the album chart, but he wasn't able to follow it up until 2006's Journey of a Gemini, which charted even higher. Despite this, Jones and LaFace parted ways after a 2007 best-of compilation. Three years later, Jones signed an independent deal with E One and released Lyrics, on which he wrote, performed, and produced nearly everything. ~ Jason Birchmeier, Rovi

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Music

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  • Love Like This
    donell-jones
    Video
    Love Like This
  • Don't Trip
    donell-jones
    Video
    Don't Trip
  • True Step Tonight
    donell-jones
    Video
    True Step Tonight
  • Shorty Got Her Eyes On Me
    donell-jones
    Video
    Shorty Got Her Eyes On Me
  • In The Hood
    donell-jones
    Video
    In The Hood
  • U Know What's Up
    donell-jones
    Video
    U Know What's Up
  • 17646
    SoundStream
    SoundStream
    song name
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    All the music you want, just 10 bucks a month. Try it free.
    • Where I Wanna Be
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/3/8/5/3/5/105453583.mp3
    • Have You Seen Her
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/7/7/5/1/6/105561577.mp3
    • All Her Love
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/0/5/9/5/7/105475950.mp3
    • Shorty (Got Her Eyes On Me)
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/8/6/1/1/6/105561168.mp3
    • This Luv
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/9/5/7/5/7/105475759.mp3
    • I Wanna Luv U
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/2/1/5/3/5/105453512.mp3

Photos

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  • Donell Jones
    Courtesy of Arista

News

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  • Donell Jones
    Donell Jones Rewrites Career with New 'Lyrics' | Billboard.com
    www.billboard.com
    to do it. People will still be able to go back and discover material they've never heard before. Then they'll get it." With the Sept. 28 release of hi...
    Read More

Discography

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  • Forever (2013)
    Donell Jones
    Forever (2013)
    eOne
  • Lyrics (2010)
    Donell Jones
    Lyrics (2010)
    eOne
  • Journey of a Gemini (2006)
    Donell Jones
    Journey of a Gemini (2006)
    LaFace
  • Life Goes On (2002)
    Donell Jones
    Life Goes On (2002)
    LaFace
  • Where I Wanna Be (1999)
    Donell Jones
    Where I Wanna Be (1999)
    LaFace
  • My Heart (1996)
    Donell Jones
    My Heart (1996)
    LaFace
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