The original version of the song would kick off the album and start things off correctly. The song was quite smooth yet inspired a bit of a two step, along with the remix featuring Left Eye, it helped to catapult him to success. With the Anthony Hamilton co-written "U Know What's Up", he managed to put out an infectious track that definitely climbed up the charts and took over radio. In many ways, this album was his crowning achievement and rightfully so. U Know What's Up Remix featuring Left EyeĪs the year 1999 was winding down, Donell Jones was preparing to release the biggest album of his career. It’s so easy and simple that it’s good for you.13. But BabyFace’s buttery touch is apparent, and Jones and company’s storytelling and slight edge scream sophistication. It’s not exactly a diamond-his vocals beg beyond its limits sometimes. Hard truths are softened and dirty deeds are done, but Donell always comes across like a smooth criminal (“I understand you got a nigga that lives at home, but I wanna be the cat that makes you moan.”). Where I Wanna Be could even be considered a forefather to Usher’s testosterone manifesto Confessions. He’s released five albums since this platinum-selling sophomore effort, but none as musically dapper and truthful. Donell Jones slipped us an undercover classic (and a classic Left Eye verse on “U Know What’s Up”) and tip-toed out the door. Perfect pickup lines: -“Would you mind if I take this seat right here?/’Cause you’re sitting alone/If you’re sippin’ on Cris, girl, I’m buying, yeah” -“I must admit I got a thing for you/It’s just a little taste of all the things I’ll do for you” -“All this love, are you gonna be the one to get it?” -”It’s a quarter past 3, girl, what’s it gon’ be?” Bet you didn’t know: Jones’ pre-solo pen credits include co-writing (with Faith Evans) Usher’s 1994 breakout single, “Think of You.” Synopsis: Most R&B heads will fight to put this project in their top-whatever lineup, for the replay factor alone. These days, he’d just put an APB out on Twitter and/or lurk in her Instagram. Song that might not fly in 2014: On “Have You Seen Her?” Donell tries to find a mysterious PYT pushing a GS4 (that’s a Lexus) and goes about it by asking if anyone’s seen her. As suave as the song sounds, you never want to be on the receiving end of his message. Explaining why he needs a breather from his teenage love, he’s genuine, vulnerable and selfish (“Do I leave? Do I stay? Do I go? I think about my life and what matters to me the most”). Seductive chords set the mood as he lays a very direct agenda: “Plan on making you moan.” And (even more direct): “We gon’ do it tonight.” //A soundtrack to: -Transporting to the 1940s and relaxing in a jazz lounge -Sobbing in front of a window -Sex -Picking up the opposite sex (for sex) Top-5 Breakup song ever (“Where I Wanna Be”): “I just left my baby girl a message, saying I won’t be coming home/I’d rather be alone/She doesn’t fully understand me/’Cause I’d rather leave than to cheat/If she give me some time, I can be the man she needs/But there’s a lot of lust inside of me.” Jones flips the “It’s not you it’s me” trope into one of R&B’s most effective and candid break-up anthems. VIBE spotlights some of music’s most essential timepieces for Gen YĭONELL JONES Where I Wanna Be (1999) Most Slept On: “It’s Alright” Halfway through a project that’s equal parts lust, confidence and class, Donell Jones dangles ’76 Dom Perignon and a dime bag in front of his lady’s eyes as foreplay.
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