Photo Credit: Shannon Laurine

Each month, we will speak to an athlete, celebrity, or non-Hip Hop entertainer about what Hip Hop means to them. This feature is intended to showcase how far-reaching the influence of Hip Hop culture has grown in the past 50 years and how much the culture means to so many.

This month, we spoke with Jon B. 

Jon B. is a Grammy-nominated R&B singer, songwriter, and producer who emerged in the mid-1990s with a smooth blend of soul, Hip Hop and pop influences.

He was discovered by Tracey Edmonds and signed to Yab-Yum Records, where he quickly made his mark with his debut album Bonafide (1995). The album featured the hit single “Someone to Love” with Babyface, earning him a Grammy nomination. His follow-up album, Cool Relax (1997), went platinum and included favorites like “They Don’t Know” and “Are U Still Down” featuring 2Pac. 

In March, Jon B. released his latest album ‘Waiting on You.’ The album features collaborations with Grammy-winning R&B artist Tank, Rick Ross, and acclaimed singer-songwriter Alex Isley.

So JON B., what does Hip-Hop mean to you?

“Hip Hop means to me a place where all things can be mashed up and reflect the beauty of all of our cultures mixing together.

The rhythm of the streets, the rhythm of the culture. Hip Hop puts you in a time capsule of what you were going through when those words and melodies could communicate what you couldn’t at the time, whether it was love or sorrow.”

Follow Jon B. on Instagram.