Jon B has some strong words for Gunna and Chlöe Bailey after their take on his 1998 Billboard Hot 100 hit, “They Don’t Know.”
During a recent appearance on the Can We Talk R&B? podcast, the R&B crooner reflected on the popularity of the single – citing a recent sampling by the the aforementioned duo. “It does get sampled every year… Someone last year was Gunna and Chlöe Bailey, they put that ratchet record out that I couldn’t stand,” he said, referencing the DS4Ever single “You & Me.”
Jon B also hinted that the sample might not have been properly cleared, suggesting that legal action could be on the horizon. “[They] never actually never got my rights to do that record, either, so Gunna we gotta holler about that. … That’s some business shit we got to handle,” he added.
He continued: “Yeah I mean, you know what, it’s all a compliment to what we did. That’s [producers and co-songwriters] Tim [Kelley] and Bob’s [Robinson] compliment, that’s my compliment, but at the same time my lane is my lane and my area is my area and I earned that. If you made a hit in your area, you do your song whatever it is, I’m not going to just come into your area take your joint, and make it mine and not pay you or whatever.”
Jon B speaks on Gunna and Chlöe sampling his song "They Don't Know" for their song "You & Me" and calls their version ratchet, and says he wishes they never put it out.
— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) August 4, 2024
Also, Jon B makes it clear he can't stand Gunna and Chlöe's song "You & Me," and reveals that Gunna never got… pic.twitter.com/qchzJHD51l
Needless to say, Jon B’s comments sparked a mixed reaction, with fans split on their opinions.
“It’s one thing to not like the sample of the song you don’t own, but watch your mouth! Also, this is why I don’t care for blue-eyed soul (excluding Teena Marie). This is why I’m not impressed/moved by what y’all perceive as soulful white artists or white musicians stepping above their normal mediocrity to perform at a level that’s basic for Black musicians. This is why I’m belligerently against those tired a** ‘cookout’ invites y’all love to pass out. #CloseTheGates,” wrote one user.
“A white man calling two black ppl ratchet is crazy,” another commented.
A third user wrote: “People keep saying “music is meant to be sampled”. No… It’s not. Make your own damn song. And who cares if he said it was ratchet. The term means what it means.. anybody can say it.”
Meanwhile, neither Gunna nor Chlöe Bailey have responded to Jon B’s criticism.