Published: Monday - May 15, 2006
Words by Archna Sawjani
Jon B (Photo: Sanctuary)
Jon B is one of these rare artists in today's R&B industry, who has accomplished more than just record sales. He's an accomplished songwriter, vocalist, producer and instrumentalist (he plays bass, drums, guitar and piano), wrapped up all in one richly textured body of music and soul.
Having been through an emotional roller coaster in recent years, Jon B claims he is a fighter. With his current album, aptly titled Stronger Everyday, he is setting out to prove just that.
Jon B chopped it up with BallerStatus about future projects, the state of R&B and hating being stereotyped as "the white boy that can sing."
Sit back, get comfy and take a ride into the mind of this multi-faceted R&B crooner.
Ballerstatus.com: You want to introduce yourself in your own words?
Jon B: I'm Jon B. The current album is Stronger Everyday, which is my fourth album. [I have] eleven years in the game and still moving.
Ballerstatus.com: So you've been quiet for a while now...
Jon B: Well, you see, every year I go through things and I want to write about it. I want to change and develop myself as a musician with every album and add to my style. So, I take like three years with every album.
Ballerstatus.com: Do you feel you have succeeded in the mainstream?
JonB: Yeah I do. My second album went double platinum. That was like two million records sold. As an artist, if I never sell another record again, I will still be happy. I've already reached the mountaintops. I remember doing a tour in 1999 and Destiny's Child and Jagged Edge opened up for me. So you know, I've already fulfilled all my dreams.
Ballerstatus.com: What do you think of R&B at the moment?
Jon B: It's like hip-hop. You've got to know how to rap in order to sing now...the songs are so fast, not like how R&B originally was at all. It's being mixed up with all sorts of things, like dancehall, crunk and two-step. I don't think mixing it with hip-hop or dancehall is bad. I have done it myself. I collaborated with many hip-hop artists including Tupac as you all know, which is my favorite collaboration of all-time. But, R&B seems to be all mixed up now. You can hardly find it in its pure form anywhere.
Ballerstatus.com: Do you like the change?
Jon B: Nah, I don't really like the change. It seems so simple now. You can make a song with a snap and a whistle, without hardly any vocals and classify it as "R&B." The soul has been sucked out of it, but I understand that it's all music. But, would I personally go out and spend my money on it? No.
Ballerstatus.com: Your current album has been out for a hot minute now. But, for the people that still haven't heard it, do you want to tell them a little about it?
Jon B: Producer-wise, Just Blaze is on the album. Collaborations include Beenie Man, which was released as a single a while back. Scarface is on the album. That was a hot collaboration. Actually, my studio burnt down five years ago and I wanted to write a song about that situation and that's what the Scarface song is.
Ballerstatus.com: Your album is called Stronger Everyday. Is that basically you showing the world you're overcoming all you're recent problems and rising above it?
Jon B: Exactly. I'm a skinny cat, but I have a strong soul for real. I've been through some hard experiences, but I will always rise above it and grow stronger because of it.
Ballerstatus.com: Do you have any other musical projects besides your current album?
Jon B: I'm actually working on a rock album as well. I'm really inspired by bands like Radio Head, Coldplay, Duran Duran and Foo Fighters. You see, R&B is limited in one way: subject matter. People only want to hear about love, relationships and sex. I've had some really late nights, just thinking about myself, how I want to change, what I want to become and what I'd like to do is change my path as an R&B artist to an international musician like Prince, who is a great example of someone who can't be pigeon holed to one specific genre. I don't want any limitations or inhabitations.
Ballerstatus.com: So eleven years in the game, you still feel the same drive and passion?
Jon B: Yes I do. Actually more than ever. The passion grows everyday. Like my album says, Stronger Everyday.
Ballerstatus.com: Great way to plug your album there.
Jon B: [laughing] Nah, I wasn't trying to plug my album there, but that truly is the best way for me to describe it. The more response and support I get, makes me want to give it back a million fold. But, you know, I'm really content in what I have achieved. The label is constantly asking me for another "They Don't Know," but that was then and this is now.
Ballerstatus.com: Do you feel under pressure to get back to that high peak in your career that you experienced so early on?
Jon B: Bottom line was, I was signed to a major label and they were coughing up a lot of dough to keep my videos playing, and now, I'm not signed to a major. I'm completely independent right now. The last two albums haven't had the money behind them to really do what they could have done. But at the same time, I have been very fortunate that all my albums have at least reached gold status, which is really amazing. Some people can't even find this album, but they hunt for it. I'm truly blessed to have fans that have stuck by me.
Ballerstatus.com: So besides music, any plans to get into acting or anything?
Jon B: Well, I have been offered some movies already, but I have turned them down. I keep getting offered roles to play white guys who are recognized as black kind of cats like you see in the barbershop, the T.V. show.
Ballerstatus.com: Yeah?
Jon B: I was supposed to play the white barber in that.
Ballerstatus.com: Ok, do you find that hard getting stereotyped like that?
Jon B: The thing I hate people saying is "wow, he can sing for a white boy." Don't even tell me that. For one thing, I hate being asked or addressed about my race. Just leave me alone with all that, music is universal. It shouldn't even be an issue. I can sing period, not I can sing well for a white boy. How messed up is that?
Ballerstatus.com: Good thing I didn't ask you that then.
Jon B: [laughing] Yeah, good thing. The amount of journalists that have though is unbelievable.
Editorials & Columns Soulstice From France Blog #3: Day 4 Embarking on a 9-show winter tour in Europe, one of my goals was just making it through the tour without getting sick. ... full story
Digg It
Del.icio.us
