If you thought Gunna and Chloe Bailey were the only two stars to get a tongue-lashing from veteran R&B crooner Jon B. during his now-viral interview from last week, you thought wrong.
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Taking to the ‘Can We Talk RnB‘ podcast, Jon weighed in on a myriad of topics including his influence on today’s blue-eyed-soul singers as well as the enduring impact of his signature song – 1997’s ‘They Don’t Know.’
Not mincing words, the 49-year-old (born Jonathan Buck) made headlines for expressing his disapproval of Gunna and Bailey sampling the song without permission – branding their 2022 ‘You & Me‘ collaboration as ‘ratchet’ for its interpolation of his smash hit.
Like his stinging criticism of the duo, Jon also had a few words for fellow crooner Robin Thicke for using elements of ‘Know’ without crediting its creator.
“Have you heard that new Robin Thicke song?,” Buck asked host Ian Von before suggesting it swiped some key components of his hit. “It’s the ‘They Don’t Know’ guitar lick. Listen to it…it may not be exactly the same thing but it’s in there.”
The song in question is the Lizzen-assisted ‘Why Remix.’
Elsewhere in the interview, Buck took aim at Justin Timberlake and his ill-fated comeback era ‘Everything I Thought It Was.’
“That new single [‘No Angels‘] is trash,” Jon said after joking there would be no Timberlake without him. “I’m not feeling his music at all anymore. And the video is even more trash; I don’t like all this demonic sh*t. You would sell your soul to be popular or something? Or to give your allegiance some hidden power behind the scenes?”
It wasn’t all criticism for Thicke and Timberlake, however.
Later in the interview Buck did thank Justin for providing some kid-friendly content in the form of the ‘Trolls‘ movie franchise and its soundtrack hit ‘Can’t Stop the Feeling!’
For Robin, Jon confessed he loved ‘Why (Remix)’ and his other music – reiterating a previous sentiment of respecting his musicianship.
At the time of this report, Thicke nor Timberlake has responded to the headline-grabbing hoopla.
He told NO lies!
He sounds bitter. His music was good for what it was. But he shouldn’t act like some holy grail. He’s not a blueprint. None of them are authentic. At least Justin is trying to stay relevant and release music.
Yea I mean I respect his opinion and I don’t like artists stealing without giving proper credit but he never had a long line of hits for someone to just copy his career or something. Maybe they sampled him but he’s acting like he fathered these artists lol.
Staying “relevant” is different than an actual artist releasing creativity when they have something to say, or they’re inspired. And he ABSOLUTELY did father both Robin, and Fo shizz Fo shizz lol.
Robin Thicke clearly stole (inspired) from the likes of Marvin gaye Steve wonder and prince. It’s a reach to say Jon b fathered either of them. Jon B can sing I’ll give him that but he’s not a performer the way JT was in his prime. Fo shizz lol……Justin so cringe. He didn’t get that from Jon B. Not sure why Jon B didn’t continue making music. Would make more sense for Jon B to say he influenced Drake’s R&B stuff
Jon B, Chloe Bailey, Chris Brown, SZA & Aaliyah