If you ask me, this just continues on the theme of severely mismatched Verzuz. Still, the latest announcement has the people really excited. A Donell Jones vs Joe Verzuz will make for a great R&B night. Two of the most recognizable talents in the genre from the 90s, they share the stage and get their flowers after long successful careers.
But there are differences here. Joe Thomas made his debut in 1993 with the album, Everything. It was his first of 12 albums, all of which featured singles that did well on radio. Even when he released his last album, in 2016, it featured a single, “Happy Hour” with Gucci Mane, and a cover of Adele’s “Hello.” In between those 20 plus years, Joe had a slew of hit records, from “Don’t Want To Be A Player” to “Faded Pictures” to “More and More” to “Stutter” to “What If A Woman.” He’s collaborated with artists like Mariah Carey, *NSYNC, Big Pun, Nas, 50 Cent, and more. That doesn’t even include the songs he’s done background vocals for or even written for other artists, including “Angel In Disguise” for Brandy, and “That Other Woman” for Changing Faces, among others.
Meanwhile, Donell Jones has one of the most memorable albums of the 90s, with his sophomore project, Where I Wanna Be, which was released in 1999. But his debut album, flew a bit under the radar, despite a couple singles that bubbled including, “In The Hood,” and “Knocks Me Off My Feet,” the Stevie Wonder cover. Where it gets tricky for Donell however is after that sophomore album. Despite releasing 4 more albums and 2 EPs, he never quite got the attention his music deserved after 1999. He’s also written songs, none more important than 702’s “Get It Together.” And he also has a song with Pig Pun, though it was a posthumous release. I’m a fan of Donell Jones, but I’ve also attended a Donell Jones concert where I saw a crowd boo him because he saved “Where I Wanna Be” for his closing song and they became restless with the songs they were not familiar with. I worry that having to go 15 rounds with Joe might set him up for a similar fate.
Like we have done previously with these Verzuz battles, prepare for a round by round break down of the Donell Jones vs Joe Verzuz.
Round 1: Donell Jones – “In The Hood (Playas Version)” vs Joe – “Don’t Wanna Be A Player No More”
Winner: Joe
Round 2: Donell Jones – “Have You Seen Her” vs. Joe – “Good Girls”
This one of Donell’s best joints too.
Winner: Joe
Round 3: Donell Jones – “Knocks Me Off My Feet” vs. Joe – “If I Was Your Man”
Vocally, its not there. But if Donell doesn’t get this round… he might not get any!
Winner: Donell Jones
Round 4: Donell Jones – “Like This” vs Joe featuring Case – “Faded Pictures”
Joe price about to go all the way UP!
Winner: Joe!
Round 5: Donell Jones – “All This Luv” vs. Joe featuring G-Unit – “Ride Wit You”
Winner: Donell Jones
Previous Battles:
Round by Round of the Omarion vs Mario Verzuz Battle
Tank vs Tyrese Verzuz | French Montana vs Rick Ross Verzuz
Round 6: Donell Jones – “I’m Gonna Be” vs. Case – “I’m Missing You” (co-produced by Joe, background vocals as well)
Winner: Joe
Round 7: 702 – “Get It Together” (written and produced by Donell Jones) vs. Joe – “More & More” (written by R. Kelly)
Winner: Joe
Round 8: Donell Jones – “Gemini In Me” vs. Joe – “The Love Scene
Joe said he was taking the gloves off… and yes, it’s over!
Winner: Joe
Round 9: Donell Jones – “Do U Wanna” vs. Joe – “Stutter” Remix
Mystikal not able to hop out the back, so I’ll let Donell get another round.
Winner: Donell Jones
Round 10: Usher – “Think of You” (written by Donell Jones) vs. Joe – “What If A Woman” | “Treat Her Like A Lady”
Winner: Joe
Round 11: Donell Jones – “Shorty (Got Her Eyes on Me)” vs. Joe – “All The Things (Your Man Won’t Do”
Against almost any other song, Donell would have this.
Winner: Joe
Round 12: Donell Jones – “I Wanna Luv You” vs Big Pun featuring Joe – “Don’t Wanna Be A Player No More”
Joe gave him the alley hoop.
Winner: Donell Jones
Round 13: Big Pun featuring Donell Jones – “It’s So Hard” vs. Joe & Mariah featuring Nas – “Thank God I Found You”
Winner: Joe
Round 14: Donell Jones – “I Hope It’s You” vs. G-Unit featuring Joe – “Wanna Get To Know You” | 50 Cent featuring Joe – “Big Rich Town”
WOW. Didn’t see this coming.
Winner: Joe
Round 15: Donell Jones – “Where I Wanna Be” vs. Joe – “Stutter”
He didn’t have to do this as a separate round. But guess Donell had to get a round.
Winner: Donell Jones
Round 16: Donell Jones – “U Know What’s Up” vs. Joe – “I Wanna Know”
Winner: Joe
Joe wins 10 – 6.
Donell put up an admirable fight. But it was never going to be close. Glad both artists got their flowers.
