Donell Jones
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Donell Jones | |
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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) is an American R&B singer, songwriter and producer, 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
[edit] Early life
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Jones' upbringing was rough. He struggled between wanting to be a musician and to being a member of a street gang. 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, producing the singer's 1995 hit, "Think of You", 702's "Get It Together" and also wrote for groups such as Brownstone and Silk.
[edit] Music career
In 1996, he signed with LaFace Records and released his debut album, My Heart, which included his 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 R&B hit maker with the album, Where I Wanna Be. The album yielded the number-one hits such as "U Know What's Up", which featured TLC member Lisa "Left-Eye" Lopes and the title track. Other hits included "Shorty Got Her Eyes on Me" and "All This Love". This album went on to sell over one million copies.
In 2002, Jones released the gold-selling Life Goes On album, which featured the hits, "You Know That I Love You" and "Put Me Down" featuring Styles P.. Four years later, he released his fourth album, Journey of a Gemini, which featured the Tim & Bob hit, "I'm Gonna Be", which became a big hit on Urban AC.
[edit] Personal life
His father is Gospel legend Bobby Jones.
Jones is reportedly a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated.
Has four daughters with former girlfriend.
[edit] Voice
Voice
- Spinto Tenor
Highest note
- E5 in "Special Girl"
Highest Full Voice Note
- C5 in "Wish You Were Here"
Lowest note
- B2 in "Comeback"
[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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Hot 100 | Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs | |||
| 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 Left-Eye) | 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" | - | 104 | |
| "Spend The Night" | - | 74 | ||
[edit] External links
- Donell Jones audio interview
- [http://www.HmsEndurance.com (LeEndurance Coleccion) - Donell Jones Endurance clothing line (Endurance Eyes Opticians)the only official Endurance Clothing and Optical Product. Fortitudine Vincimus Tees. UK Olympics.
