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). 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. When Jones returned three years later in 1999 with his second album, Where I Wanna Be, he had become known as an accomplished songwriter. 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.' Reid and Babyface gave the blossoming artist the go-ahead to begin work on his solo debut. Following the success of Usher's 'Think of You' in 1994 (number eight R&B), a song written by Jones, LaFace executives L.A.

He met Edward 'Eddie F' Ferrell (former Heavy D & the Boyz member turned Untouchables Entertainment president), and the two formed a partnership with LaFace. At one point, after involving himself with gang culture, he decided to dedicate himself to music rather than the streets. Later, he began to fall victim to the temptations of Chicago's South Side, where he grew up. 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').īorn the son of a gospel singer, Jones immersed himself in music at a young age. 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. His first two singles - 'In the Hood' and 'Knocks Me Off My Feet' - established his reputation within the competitive urban market. In The Hood (Remix) Forever Love Like This Do You Wanna Ride This New Beginning This Luv Beautiful Freakin' You Can't Wait Do What I Gotta Do The World Is Yours Think About It (Don't Call My Crib) It's Alright Closer I Get To You (feat.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.

Donell jones forever album wiki