Music Metrics Vault

Donell Jones

Data updated on 2025-07-02 10:47:18 UTC
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").

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 eOne and released Lyrics (2010) and Forever (2013), two albums for which he performed, wrote, and produced nearly everything. ~ Jason Birchmeier, Rovi

Total plays

503.9 million
Updated on 2025-07-02

Monthly listeners

1,539,639

Followers

1,290,167

Top Cities

  1. United Kingdom
    40,143 listeners
  2. United States
    27,842 listeners
  3. South Africa
    Johannesburg
    32,758 listeners
  4. United States
    25,561 listeners
  5. United States
    25,641 listeners

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Most popular tracks

Track Plays Duration Release date
U Know What's Up - No mix
U Know What's Up - No mix
156,960,245 4:02 1999-02-14
Where I Wanna Be
Where I Wanna Be
70,296,935 4:14 1999-05-29
Knocks Me Off My Feet
Knocks Me Off My Feet
38,419,226 3:43 1996-06-04
Shorty (Got Her Eyes on Me)
Shorty (Got Her Eyes on Me)
37,596,372 3:12 1999-05-29
This Luv
This Luv
32,458,607 4:10 1999-05-29
Have You Seen Her
Have You Seen Her
11,924,287 3:42 1999-05-29
You Know That I Love You
You Know That I Love You
11,680,018 4:20 2002-06-04
I'll Go
I'll Go
10,235,995 4:01 2000-01-01
Do U Wanna
Do U Wanna
8,885,638 4:35 2002-06-04
Life Goes On
Life Goes On
6,709,152 4:39 2002-06-04
In the Hood - Remix Version w/ Rap
In the Hood - Remix Version w/ Rap
6,646,847 5:02 1996-06-04
My Apology
My Apology
6,539,833 4:05 2006-06-19
I Wanna Luv U
I Wanna Luv U
5,488,806 4:18 1999-05-29
Put Me Down
Put Me Down
5,263,125 4:20 2002-06-04
Where You Are, Pt. 2 (Is Where I Wanna Be)
Where You Are, Pt. 2 (Is Where I Wanna Be)
5,240,268 3:50 2002-06-04
All Her Love
All Her Love
4,029,942 4:36 1999-05-29
I'm Gonna Be
I'm Gonna Be
3,517,003 4:46 2006-06-19
I Hope It's You
I Hope It's You
3,413,824 5:23 2002-06-04
No Interruptions
No Interruptions
3,413,529 5:02 1996-06-04
In the Hood - Playas Version
In the Hood - Playas Version
3,224,152 4:21 1996-06-04
Think About It (Don't Call My Crib)
Think About It (Don't Call My Crib)
3,170,610 5:38 1999-05-29
All About You
All About You
3,145,858 4:46 1996-06-04
Better Start Talking (feat. Jermaine Dupri) - Main
Better Start Talking (feat. Jermaine Dupri) - Main
2,957,005 4:15 2005-10-18
JD Better Start Tonight
JD Better Start Tonight
2,957,005 4:08 1998-01-01
Hustlin' Daze
Hustlin' Daze
2,900,730 4:47 2000-01-01
He Won't Hurt You
He Won't Hurt You
2,771,867 4:50 1999-05-29
It's Alright
It's Alright
2,664,137 4:24 1999-05-29
Guilty By Suspicion
Guilty By Suspicion
2,651,384 4:31 2002-06-04
Natural Thang
Natural Thang
2,643,457 5:10 1996-06-04
Love Like This
Love Like This
2,315,236 3:37 2010-08-10
Yearnin'
Yearnin'
2,110,981 4:17 1996-06-04
Spend the Night
Spend the Night
1,965,232 4:19 2006-06-19
Special Girl
Special Girl
1,819,581 4:40 2006-06-19
Pushin'
Pushin'
1,491,745 4:55 1999-05-29
Ooh Na Na
Ooh Na Na
1,282,894 3:56 2006-06-19
Close To You
Close To You
1,219,124 4:12 2011-01-01
Don't Leave
Don't Leave
1,185,935 3:48 2002-06-04
When I Was Down
When I Was Down
1,131,342 3:48 1999-05-29
All About The Sex
All About The Sex
1,121,739 5:36 2010-09-28
Freakin' U
Freakin' U
1,101,046 3:42 2002-06-04
The Finer Things In Life
The Finer Things In Life
1,099,878 4:05 2010-09-28
Understand
Understand
1,062,628 4:55 2019-04-12
Feelin' You
Feelin' You
992,073 4:20 2006-06-19
Still
Still
969,984 3:51 2001-09-10
Come Back
Come Back
948,236 4:43 2002-06-04
Forever
Forever
929,776 5:50 2009-11-24
Cry
Cry
877,798 4:02 2006-06-19
Portrait Of A Woman
Portrait Of A Woman
868,714 4:33 2006-06-19
Superman
Superman
854,925 4:37 2009-11-24
If You Want (feat. Bun B)
If You Want (feat. Bun B)
836,881 4:44 2006-06-19
You Should Know
You Should Know
823,527 4:16 1996-06-04
My Heart
My Heart
800,140 3:40 1996-06-04
Groove On
Groove On
740,102 4:54 2009-11-24
Gotta Get Her (Outta My Head)
Gotta Get Her (Outta My Head)
733,275 4:09 2002-06-04
I Want You To Know
I Want You To Know
722,068 4:36 1996-06-04
Can't Wait
Can't Wait
703,439 4:30 2006-06-19
Backdoor
Backdoor
609,312 3:47 2010-09-28
Marry Me
Marry Me
602,766 2:46 2009-11-24
Imagine That
Imagine That
596,873 4:53 2010-09-28
Wish You Were Here
Wish You Were Here
582,924 4:25 1996-06-04
Beautiful
Beautiful
545,497 4:13 2013-07-09
Waiting On You
Waiting On You
478,110 4:04 1996-06-04
I'm Gonna Be (feat. Clipse) - Main
I'm Gonna Be (feat. Clipse) - Main
474,435 4:47 2006-06-19
Believe In Me
Believe In Me
450,941 4:43 1996-06-04
I Wanna Love U
I Wanna Love U
430,210 3:24 2003-01-01
My Gift to You
My Gift to You
423,518 3:41 2000-11-14
Baby It's You
Baby It's You
412,189 3:51 2000-01-01
Closer I Get To You (feat. Alja Kamillion)
Closer I Get To You (feat. Alja Kamillion)
411,027 4:27 2013-07-09
Lust Or Love
Lust Or Love
401,898 3:44 2006-06-19
The Only One You Need
The Only One You Need
397,356 3:47 1996-06-04
Another Life
Another Life
391,281 3:31 2006-06-19
Cuttin' Me Off
Cuttin' Me Off
381,919 3:52 2006-06-19
Don't Blame Me
Don't Blame Me
373,613 5:09 2013-07-09
Don't Cry
Don't Cry
370,715 4:27 1996-06-04
Karma (Payback)
Karma (Payback)
362,784 4:53 2021-02-14
Stripclub (feat. Yung Joc)
Stripclub (feat. Yung Joc)
359,763 4:22 2010-09-28
Your Place
Your Place
327,928 5:01 2010-09-28
Just A Little
Just A Little
302,030 4:49 2010-09-28
Sorry I Hurt You
Sorry I Hurt You
284,818 4:07 2013-07-09
Hands On You
Hands On You
284,208 4:01 2006-06-20
Never Let Her Go (feat. David Banner)
Never Let Her Go (feat. David Banner)
266,267 3:54 2016-05-24
Assville
Assville
261,878 3:13 2009-11-24
Blackmail
Blackmail
257,132 4:15 2010-09-28
Understand
Understand
245,479 4:58 2019-04-15
The World Is Yours
The World Is Yours
233,244 3:58 2010-09-28
O How I Wonder
O How I Wonder
232,541 3:49 2010-09-28
Apple Pie
Apple Pie
231,277 4:30 2006-06-19
Free
Free
230,195 2:13 2009-11-24
Forever
Forever
222,859 3:47 2013-07-09
Karma (Remix)
Karma (Remix)
199,955 4:05 2021-07-30
Sergeant Louise
Sergeant Louise
191,624 4:16 2009-11-24
New Beginning
New Beginning
183,424 1:23 2013-07-09
Serious
Serious
183,331 3:56 2021-02-14
You Know
You Know
182,217 4:51 2013-07-09
Reggae Remix
Reggae Remix
175,412 5:20 2009-11-24
Badboy
Badboy
172,509 3:15 2009-11-24
Deep N2u
Deep N2u
165,298 3:15 2021-02-14
You Can Burn
You Can Burn
143,928 3:30 2010-09-28
What's Next
What's Next
133,105 3:43 2010-09-28
Meditate
Meditate
103,930 8:03 2021-02-14
A Mother's Love
A Mother's Love
100,601 4:12 2013-07-09
Allnight
Allnight
99,260 2:46 2000-01-01
I Miss The King
I Miss The King
96,123 4:04 2013-07-09
Fresh
Fresh
83,183 2:28 2021-02-14
Ride This
Ride This
83,054 3:44 2013-07-09
I'm So Gone
I'm So Gone
80,877 4:19 2013-07-09
Stressin
Stressin
78,049 2:38 2009-11-24
Step the F*** Off
Step the F*** Off
70,098 3:40 2013-07-09
Step the _ Off
Step the _ Off
70,098 3:41 2013-07-09
Mistletoe (Waiting)
Mistletoe (Waiting)
64,711 3:33 2022-12-05
100% Free
100% Free
54,737 2:55 2021-02-14
I Do
I Do
47,443 3:06 2021-02-14
All About The Sex (acoustic Mix)
All About The Sex (acoustic Mix)
37,217 5:35 2010-09-28
Don't Trip
Don't Trip
36,555 3:50 2010-09-28
True Step Tonight (feat. Brian Harvey & Donell Jones) - Radio Edit
True Step Tonight (feat. Brian Harvey & Donell Jones) - Radio Edit
31,770 3:44 2000-11-25
Menage A Trois
Menage A Trois
27,660 3:55 2010-09-28
Don't Trip
Don't Trip
26,133 3:50 2009-01-01
Cry (Africa) [feat. Donell Jones]
Cry (Africa) [feat. Donell Jones]
6,044 4:04 2020-07-03
Mistletoe (Waiting) Acapella
Mistletoe (Waiting) Acapella
< 1000 3:33 2022-12-05

New releases

Karma (Remix)
Karma (Remix)
2021-07-30
[Candyman music Inc]
100% Free
100% Free
2021-02-14
[Candyman Music Inc.]
Never Let Her Go (feat. David Banner)
Never Let Her Go (feat. David Banner)
2016-05-24
[Candyman Music]
Best Of
Best Of
2015-09-04
[Legacy Recordings]
Forever (Clean)
Forever (Clean)
2013-07-09
[eOne Music]
Forever
Forever
2013-07-09
[eOne Music]
Lyrics
Lyrics
2010-09-28
[eOne Music]
Lyrics
Lyrics
2010-09-28
[eOne Music]
Love Like This
Love Like This
2010-08-10
[eOne Music]
The Lost Files
The Lost Files
2009-11-24
[Candyman Music Inc]
The Best of Donell Jones
The Best of Donell Jones
2007-09-25
[LaFace Records]
Spend the Night
Spend the Night
2007-01-01
[LaFace Records]
Journey Of A Gemini
Journey Of A Gemini
2006-06-20
[LaFace Records]
Journey Of A Gemini
Journey Of A Gemini
2006-06-20
[LaFace Records]
Journey Of A Gemini
Journey Of A Gemini
2006-06-19
[LaFace Records]
Better Start Talking (feat. Jermaine Dupri) [Main]
Better Start Talking (feat. Jermaine Dupri) [Main]
2005-10-18
[LaFace Records]
Life Goes On
Life Goes On
2002-06-04
[Arista]
I'll Go
I'll Go
2000-01-01
[NL Records]
Where I Wanna Be
Where I Wanna Be
1999-05-29
[Arista/LaFace Records]
My Heart
My Heart
1996-06-04
[Arista/LaFace Records]
My Heart
My Heart
1996-06-04
[Arista/LaFace Records]