- 9 months ago
Watch a special interview and performance with Jon B. to celebrate his new album, 'WAITING on YOU.'
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00:00Hello, everyone
00:03This is so exciting, are you guys excited to be here?
00:10Welcome to our lovely sound space. Thanks to the helpful Honda our helpful Honda sound space. This is so amazing
00:17This is my first sound space. So this is really cool
00:21like I've never done one of these before so to be able to do it with someone that I
00:26Absolutely love an R&B legend like John B is
00:30really really exciting
00:33Before we get to the music
00:34we're gonna ask John a couple questions and ask him about the new album and a whole lot more so
00:41again sit back and enjoy again our beautiful lovely Honda sound space and
00:50We're gonna get going John B
00:55Thank you
01:15What's going on
01:17Oh
01:22Man good to be with y'all ninety four point seven the way
01:39By the way, I don't even think I introduced myself, I'm Liz Hernandez I do mornings
01:43I
01:47Was just saying this is my first event at the helpful Honda sound space and how
01:53Special that it gets to be with you John. What's up? Absolutely. Yeah, very special. Thank you so much
01:58It means so much to me because I am a fan. Thank you
02:03Liz you have been so supportive of when my career over so many years. It's been 30 years in this game right here. So
02:10And you've seen me through the whole big, you know since the beginning we started together, yeah, I can 95 so yes
02:16Well, that is the perfect segue because you've said we've gone this long together and still got love
02:23And I want to know what you think keeps that connection going with your fans three decades John. It's incredible
02:31Well, thank you everybody. First of all everyone who came tonight. Thank you so much
02:36Could have been anywhere else, but you decided to be with us
02:39And this album, you know for all those who?
02:42Haven't enjoyed it yet. This is 11 songs. It just you know how I do
02:46I just I just tell you how I see it, you know
02:49I tell you how I feel it and I you know
02:52Welcome you to my world in terms of whatever I'm on, you know in my life and uh
02:56God gave me that that gift of music, you know to be able to express myself
03:00Both emotionally and you know, just as far as just really just kind of say how I feel, you know
03:06all around and
03:08I love the fact that I have this close
03:12Relationship with my audience, you know that you guys trust me
03:15You trust me know to play your music my music for your kids
03:18You know what?
03:19I mean to be able to raise your kids up a lot of a lot of the young folks are starting to show up to
03:23My shows I mean my mom showed me your music some of their kids were made to John B
03:28I
03:31Just so honored, you know, yeah
03:32What's something?
03:34You know now as an artist or even as a man that you wish you could have shared with John B from bona fide in 95
03:41I would have just said
03:44Don't listen to what people say
03:53I said, why did I just go ahead?
03:55I
03:56Started with don't you know, I mean, no, I mean I would just basically say, you know
04:00stay and stay in your bag man stay believing in yourself be your biggest fan because
04:05Ultimately, that's what that belief is
04:08What got you this far and it will get you the rest of the way to as well
04:12And it has stood the test of time you have artists like the weekend Drake and Chris Brown
04:18Sampling your music. How good does that feel to have?
04:23Your sound woven into today's article, it's incredible. I mean what a
04:28What a cool way to live
04:30Vicariously through someone else as well, you know and just to be able to be a fly on the wall to what they're doing creatively
04:37However, it is
04:38That you get to fit into it. I think that that's a wonderful thing. Like I said just to be remembered in any way
04:45From you know, the people who have related to my music
04:49Whether you like to play my music in your life or whether you want to sample my music and use it as your own
04:55I mean, I'm
04:57Complimented by the whole way from the little bits to the big bits. You are a legend John and legends don't die
05:06Thank you so much this yeah, cuz you know Tupac's not getting to the studio with just anyone
05:15Thank you, I mean
05:17Wow, yeah Tupac Shakur and what what was that like? I don't think I've ever asked you
05:23Yeah, what was that like to get into the studio with him? Well, what a first of all, what an incredible person he was
05:30You know, he was an exceptional
05:33Artist to say the least from being you know
05:36An amazing rapper to being an in lyricist because he wrote everything himself
05:42so but he was also a poet as well, you know, and and he was also
05:47Incredible actor so there's all kinds of personalities in this guy
05:52But one of the most when he's one-on-one with John
05:55Yeah, cuz I can only imagine how present he was he was and he was very motivated to do some music
06:01You know, he was just from the moment. I met him. I started playing him tracks
06:04Um, I met him at the how do you want to be your shoot his song? How do you want it? How does it feel?
06:11A
06:12Casey and Jojo were there and Johnny Jay the producer of the beat for are you still down was there and I hadn't you know
06:19Heard are you still down or anything like that before?
06:22So I played him before I even knew he had a beat. I
06:26Played him my stuff and right away Tupac started freestyling my music
06:30So then Casey and Jojo were on the side kind of like oh man
06:33Y'all got something right there. You need to take that in studio, you know
06:36So about two weeks later, I got a call and they were like yo pull up and I went down there and
06:44We cooked up are you still down with a matter of hours it was maybe two or three hours
06:49I heard the beat cuz I played him some stuff and then he played me that beat. I was like hands down. That's it
06:54That's it right there. But we were going back and forth, you know on melodies and lyrics and
07:00you know, I was just kind of like riffing and
07:03He's like what you want to write when you want to write about, you know, and I said this sound like a
07:09Reminiscent joint like you you asking her like what's up? Like he's like, oh you mean are you still down?
07:16Yeah like that
07:19This is amazing because this is what I love and miss about
07:24R&B like the way men used to be crying over us
07:28Jodeci, they'd be like shorties been gone two hours and they're in the desert like
07:33Crying pulling their shirts off
07:42You collaborate with tank on the new album waiting on you and it brought back 90s R&B the harmonies
07:50We rarely get to hear today and that's you know, something I was really looking forward to
07:55Today and
07:57that's you know something I was really excited to pick your brain on because
08:01What do you think we've lost and gained with today's R&B?
08:05I mean, you know, we always got to innovate and come up with a new way of freaking it, you know
08:10So the rhythms are got got a little bit more complex the sound selection not so much
08:15I think we we really love have been loving the 808 for a long time now
08:19So it's okay. We can let the 808 claps go and all that and they're rolling. I
08:25We can we got enough of that let's let's go back to the basics man, you know what I mean?
08:30Where was the guy on the drum set?
08:33You know
08:34So no, I'm a little bit more on vintage on this album
08:38You know, I will say that I can't speak for anybody else and what they're doing. I'm you know, I'm not a hater
08:43I'm a lover
08:43So I never want to sound like I'm I'm not feeling the energy that's out there because if you look hard enough you you'll find
08:51The arm bridges is an incredible artist, um, but I mean on the flip side
08:55I love what the weekend's doing big up the weekend for sampling my record to that was cool
08:59That is my favorite song on his new album Niagara Falls. Yeah, it's got you on there
09:05Sampled someone to love on there. That was kind of cool
09:08Yeah, but let's talk about waiting on you still got love you call back to don't talk which I love and thank you that
09:15nostalgic energy was that intentional or was that just something that
09:20Naturally happened when you were in studio. Well, I started with the drums
09:23I played live drums on that record
09:25Which was a great thing to get back to the the roots of what I do and what I love
09:30I'm a drummer and I'm also a keyboard player. So it's
09:33But it starts with the you know, the roots and so the groove of that really as soon as I started playing those drums
09:41The bass line just started to remind me of don't talk
09:44It was like the same kind of feel but just the
09:472025 kind of bounce to it as far as just just how I was thinking about it
09:52I was like, okay. I'm not trying to copy the record, but I'm gonna
09:55Kind of bounce the same, you know and in remnants of that, you know
10:01And trying to bring I guess 2001 back a little bit
10:06We still got love but I mean I grew up off of
10:09Groups like, you know Shalimar and cool in the gang and a lot where that that sound kind of comes from
10:15You know being such a huge chic fan and Patrice Russian and just that music that just had that
10:22You know that bounce rock skate, you know the roller skate music, I guess, you know
10:26I mean, so I wanted to have a joint on the album that felt felt like you wanted to cook out, you know and
10:32Celebrate or you might have the the wedding and then after the at the reception you might play this joint, you know
10:37But still got love is really
10:39specifically the song is speaking about
10:43Really it's kind of like
10:45Besides being literally taken as like, okay, my wife and I we've been together for 18 years now, you know
10:53So it's it's celebratory in that way, but it's also celebratory of the fans and I you know, how we had this 30-year
11:01You know 30-year thing. We've got
11:03Relationship
11:06Apparently you still we still got love so, you know, yeah, that's that's what it's all about
11:12You said I finally figured this whole thing out
11:16Can you describe that figuring out like what does that look like for you if it's musically?
11:23Mentally spiritually, what have you figured out and let us in on it John?
11:27Well, I mean, you know how you could take a walk and how the trees will just sort of just make you feel if you
11:34If you're around trees, you're in the park or somewhere. Maybe you're playing golf
11:37I don't know if it people play golf whatever but you're out in nature and you you can feel a
11:43Little calmer being around trees and being in a really serene place, you know
11:48The song pick me up it reflects on what that is to be in that place of my life of stillness where I can actually
11:54Take a walk and actually feel myself calm down
11:57Just by being around the trees and just be listening to my music, you know, just being a serene place
12:02Maybe I'm at the beach. There are no trees. Maybe this is palm trees, whatever
12:06it's not so much about where you're at, but it's how you feel and
12:10I've been so blessed to be able to make people feel a certain way not only to feel it the way when I'm making the
12:15music myself, but have that feeling translate and
12:19And that's the secret language that we speak together, you know, so I wanted to keep that relationship alive
12:25That's why I had to put this record out. It's been long enough ten years isn't long enough time to wait
12:29You know I'm saying to put some new music out. So no more waiting on you
12:34And I gotta say, you know, it's not just your music that carries that good energy. It's you you're so consistent
12:42Anytime John I ran into him. He walks into the studio. He's so peaceful and there's this calming energy and
12:49one of the things that I want to know is that with your
12:52Schedule just you're always on the go. Yeah, and you've been in this business a long time
12:57How do you stay mentally healthy in your life John?
13:01Well, I mentioned earlier being out in nature, you know taking time to be still, you know, it's really important no matter what you do
13:10But yeah, I think it's important to be out outside, you know and
13:14You know go water your plants, you know, I mean as they say metaphorically speaking, you know
13:19But I'm literally watering my plants on the balcony just to calm down, you know
13:24Taking walks. I mean honestly loving my kids loving my wife and really loving my fans, you know
13:30Just loving my position in life. I figured that the part where I was getting back to the answer of what you asked earlier about
13:37You know when I said I figured it out
13:39It's like just like the trees are supposed to like absorb all the stress that we don't talk about like
13:45You know, I feel like that's my job is to absorb the energy that that I'm getting all around me
13:50But then all sudden I'm giving you oxygen with this music. I'm breathing out like the realness, you know
13:56I mean and that's what I'm a product of life. I'm a product of my environment. So I'm thankful for the influence
14:03I'm thankful for being like here with you, but not just here with you
14:07But in the nearest club, you know the nearest bar the nearest wherever the culture is happening, man
14:13I'm learning every day and I'm soaking it up and ever since I've been in the game at 18, you know
14:18I'm 50 this year. So it's like, you know, I kind of feel like a little bit of a vet in this game, you know
14:23But that's not stopping. You know, I'm just whether I'm hanging around
14:2730 year old people or whether I'm hanging around
14:3160 year old people, whatever
14:33It's just about
14:35Celebrating life together. Yes, and we are grateful for your beautiful soul
14:39Are you guys ready to breathe in some of that healthy h2o that John's gonna give us let's do it. I'm excited man
14:46Thanks for being with me everybody. Yeah, we're gonna set up and then we're gonna give you John B all the way live
14:56See you soon
15:09Oh
15:28How you doing everybody
15:39I
16:09See
16:21Wake up
16:39Oh
16:41You see
17:08Where my pretty girls
17:11I mean, what do you wear, baby?
17:37You take so good to me
17:41I
18:11Want to be with you, baby
18:41In my
19:11They go
19:42Oh
19:44Oh
20:10What you say
20:13You still love this music like I do
20:20What you say
20:24Because you know, I still feel it baby
20:28No, we still feel
20:31Still gotta ask
20:33What you say?
20:36If I pass what you say
20:42Oh
20:58You said it wasn't gonna last they said we're gonna split up fast
21:04Told you I was a player
21:07Would play you baby
21:10Nobody
21:13They're just jealous and the lies they say
21:39You see
21:52After all these years
22:09I
22:36Do love you, baby
22:40How you feeling tonight how you feeling out there
22:44Thank you so much everybody
22:48Let's take it all the way back to the very beginning
22:52You know what I mean
22:59The song I got one my man baby face right here you're up this one right here
23:10I don't know what to do
23:13I only know I live and I breathe
23:19Cuz baby
23:24In my time
23:27When I need
23:32Me
23:35Love from you is what God
23:41It's because you I was able to give my heart
24:04Oh
24:11Yeah, baby, baby you are somewhere
24:25I thought my life was over
24:28I did it on the face or even see
24:31I'm not a baby. What's up, baby?
24:39Maybe you
24:43You drive my
24:46Did you care for me what you do, baby
24:53You
24:55Rescued me
24:59I'm still able to
25:01Never
25:16Let me see it everybody
25:31So long I would not that love in time
25:51It's because
26:01Oh
26:31Oh
27:01Oh
27:09Thank you so much everybody this is a brand new record right here
27:12Featuring legendary R&B artist tank man. This is called waiting on you the title track of my new album
27:19Available right now. It's called waiting on you everybody
27:23Featuring tank, let's go
27:32Oh
27:52Baby you're worth away
27:55However long that you take
27:58Because I know that it's I will not finally get you face to face
28:04Crazy I was so his own time
28:07Even when it's always late
28:09Only you can make the clock stand still but never let
28:27Oh
28:42All this anticipation
28:46Got a brother facing back
28:49trying to
28:51I know
28:58Stresses
29:19Got me
29:28Any time you come I'll let you in my
29:40Anytime you tell me baby
29:57I
30:27I
30:57I
31:18Is another brand new record right here off the album waiting on you this is a
31:22Song that we have a video out for both of these songs. You can check my videos out too, man
31:27You know, just check me out visually to this is something, you know, we celebrate in 30 years of a career
31:33So, you know for my real diehard fans watch me grow up all these years
31:38Let's still do my thing
31:40and
31:41Yeah, man, so
31:43This new song is called natural drug. We had the pleasure of having Cynthia Bailey play my my muse in the video
31:52And she's such a classic beauty from the 90s that that I remember from videos in the 90s
31:58her setting the standard of beauty and her face is just
32:03It's a pleasure to just look at it's like art. God is he don't make no mistakes, man
32:08Natural drug. Okay, and I got one of my own so, you know what? I mean?
32:13I have to reflect on my beautiful wife in my natural drug
32:17first and foremost she had the
32:20She was clever though, we she's a big fan of ATO housewives and we was watching those shows and
32:26She catch me peeking over her shoulder every now and then and I'll be watching
32:31She's like you think she's pretty huh? See you think Cynthia's pretty don't you? I'm like, she's pretty
32:36Yeah, she's she's aged very very well, you know, so next thing, you know, we're shooting a video and I was like who?
32:42What is the concept? You know, my wife's does all the video art direction
32:47Clothes everything. She's the creator behind my project. So she's like I got Cynthia Bailey and I said, ah
32:55There you go. Yes. Yes you did, huh?
32:59Anyway, this song is called natural drug
33:16When you give me that feeling
33:25Pathways you can leave me
33:30So where you want me to go like a leprechaun to my eyes to see me
33:40The secret around you
33:42Oh
33:45Every time I always get reminded
33:50We own a nice
34:05Get that feeling
34:12Your life has only one key not just
34:42Oh
34:44Oh
35:11Just like
35:14Physics
35:17It's written on your phone
35:21If your phone
35:23What would they say?
35:26When I hear your nature calling my name
35:31The sins of time gonna fall to the floor
35:36Let the hourglass break I want
35:44Oh
36:00How did you do
36:06Hi
36:14I love you
36:44You
36:46You
37:09Little rough around the edges will do okay
37:11Thank you, I've been singing so much man for promotion for this album and I want to thank everyone I want to thank the wave
37:19Having us out today, man. You know what? I mean and being
37:23You know gladiating for this album and really all of my albums through the years
37:26Just keeping me on the radio waves, you know what I mean playing through Los Angeles and just keeping a boy relevant man
37:32They're all these years
37:34For real pick up the way
37:36Thank you ladies Hernandez for being so sweet and helping me out
37:39Thank you ladies Hernandez for being so sweet and having us out always
37:44Making the interviews feel real and authentic and comfortable and most importantly making me feel real authentic and comfortable, you know
37:57A little agua fria
38:04This is a surprise
38:07I
38:09Did this song with my man resting power to pop Shakur
38:14Are you still down for me baby, Los Angeles?
38:20John B
38:23Bring it on there
38:39Girl it's all right
38:53Yeah, by the way
39:05Another night
39:17Oh
39:23Used to be
39:48Watch the sky I make you smile, but you rather have a
39:53With my heart
40:19By the way
40:23For me
40:35But you did it to please me
40:49And I know
40:52I
41:23Was wrong we committed
41:36I can see it in your eyes
41:52Yeah
42:23Are you lonely
42:41Let's feel down upon me, baby
42:52So
43:04Thanks for being down with me all these years too, baby
43:20I know
43:22You
43:52Baby
44:09They don't know
44:23Baby
44:40Now that I'm trying to love you
44:43Show me
44:51You should know
45:06And nothing's gonna make you fall from heaven
45:10Girl i'm just gonna
45:24Because it's jealousy
45:40That we share now
46:03When you try to
46:09Because jealousy
46:24I probably should be blocking with me all these years
46:40Because
47:04Baby
47:09Is
47:39Me
48:02Thank you so much that was incredible give another round of applause for job
48:06B and his incredible band y'all killed it back here
48:12Both rommel's on rommel senior and rommel jr right here
48:19It's been an absolute pleasure to perform for you today everybody, I hope you enjoy the new music
48:25Waiting on you. Okay new album
48:29I love you guys man
48:33Once again job
48:35Yeah
48:39Thank you all for joining us we really do appreciate having you here it is such a pleasure i'm liz hernandez
48:46Thank you for joining us at the helpful honda center sound space
48:49This has been so beautiful and be safe getting home and thank you for listening to 94.7
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