His latest single "I'm Gonna Be," produced by hit makers Tim and Bob - as in Bobby Valentino - was the most added record at Urban Radio two weeks in a row.
Donell’s upcoming fourth album, Journey of a Gemini, arrives in stores June 20th. From life and loss, Donell has a story to tell the world with a soul-packed powerhouse of an album, full of feel-good rhythms and undeniable passion.
right “Journey” is an understatement to describe Donell’s path in the music industry. Originally from Chicago, Donell began singing at a young age and used music as escapism from the tempting and rough streets that surrounded his daily life. Donell joined a singing group, which brought him to the BRE (Black Radio Exclusive) conference to perform in 1993. Though no one showed up to the showcase, Donell and his group demanded to have an audience. “Realizing this was our last chance, we went downstairs to the lobby and sang for anybody we could.”
As fate would have it, Edward “Eddie F” Ferrell, CEO and President of Untouchables Entertainment Group, heard them singing and decided to sign them. The deal for the group fell threw, but the deal with Donell Jones remained. Donell would go on to work with artists such as pop icon Madonna on her 1994 smash album, Bedtime Stories. Shortly after, Donell released his first album, My Heart, but it wasn’t until his second album, Where I Wanna Be, that he become a major force in R&B.
The album would go onto sell over one million records, catapulted by the success of the hit single “U Know What’s Up." Last month marked the four year anniversary of Lisa’s untimely death. Donell states, “She really brought me out as an artist. When ‘U Know What’s Up’ came out and she was on it, it was like, okay wow! Everybody started paying attention to me.”
Donell’s journey has not been paved in platinum. He's had struggles with labels and now after LaFace and Arista, he is finally settled at Jive. “Before when I was dealing with Arista it was kind of difficult for me because I really felt like they didn’t push my project as much as they could have.” Donell continues, “Jive is a new look and a new company and I feel good being with this label.”
In addition, Jive has encouraged Donell to spread his wings musically by working with different artists. As a singer/songwriter, it was something new and challenging to bring others into his expressive, revelatory work. “Usually I do most of my work myself so it was a little difficult for me, but actually that’s what made me become better and that's what makes the album better.”
The album includes collaborations with legendary producer Jermaine Dupri, Sean "The Pen" Garrett (Ciara, Usher), and The Underdogs (Omarion, Fantasia). Nonetheless, Donell did not leave his music completely in the hands of producers. He worked on at least fifty percent of the album and maintains the soul and passion is still there. “When you hear my voice it sounds like nobody else's. I have a lot of feeling when I sing because the songs actually come from me.”
Donell is still exposing himself and on his favorite track off the album, “Portrait of a Woman,” he reveals the painful truth of a relationship that went sour. “It's a true story ... I was in a relationship with my ex for a number of years. I never really was good to her, so I felt like I needed to make a song about it and tell everybody if you do the same things I did you'll be lost and lonely just like me.” However, don’t think this album is full of loss. Donell insists this is a feel good record with something for everybody.
Just like a Gemini, Donell has two faces among many: heart and soul. With Journey of a Gemini, Donell explores the duality of his world through his music, which has always been at the core of this complex and consistently growing artist. Read more vibe.com online exclusives.
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