Last night’s Verzuz battle between R&B legends Joe and Donell Jones was more than just a trip down memory lane; it was a masterclass in the enduring power of the genre and a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding the modern music industry.
While I’ve been a devoted fan of Joe’s work for decades, I’m putting the fan hat to the side to look at the facts: the people spoke, and the consensus was clear. Joe delivered a performance that reminded us why he remains a titan of R&B, maintaining a level of vocal clarity and control that is increasingly rare after 30-plus years in the game.
From a physiological standpoint, Joe’s vocal longevity is no accident. It’s a testament to the discipline of vocal hygiene, proper hydration, and a deep understanding of vocal cord mechanics—a regimen that keeps his instrument as sharp today as it was in the ’90s.
That combined with his fan-favored catalog of hit records, consisting of “All the Things (Your Man Won’t Do),” “I Wanna Know,” “Stutter,” “Don’t Wanna Be a Player,” and “It’s a Big Rich Town” featuring 50 Cent, the theme song of the original “Power” series and its “Power Book ||: Ghost” spinoff, Joe would be a tough night for most of the field in R&B.
While Donell Jones faced some vocal challenges and technical friction that hampered his delivery, it’s vital to separate a difficult night on stage from the weight of his contributions. His hits including “Knocks Me Off My Feet,” “Where I Wanna Be,” and “U Know What’s Up” still stick like grits, his place in the culture is solidified, and he is a cornerstone of the R&B canon.
The event sparked a necessary conversation about the state of the genre. There is a persistent, damaging narrative, both internal and external, that undervalues R&B, treating it as a restrictive box rather than the foundational art form it is. Grammy Award-winning DJ Miss Milan chimed in via X (Twitter), stating, “At the end of the day, I’m happy to witness our R&B legends have a platform to be celebrated.”
We’ve lost too many spaces that honor artists like Joe and Donell, a direct result of anti-Blackness from both external industry forces and internal gatekeeping. Joe’s Tiny Desk performance currently sits at over a million views, proving the hunger for authentic, live musicality is still very much alive.
We also have to give it up for the bands holding it down for both artists. I recognized several of those players from the Dallas scene, and it’s time for the industry to stop sleeping on Dallas as a premier music city. The talent coming out of the region I’ve called home for the last decade is undeniable.
As we wait for the official numbers from the Verzuz broadcast, the excitement leading up to it is a clear indication that R&B will always be worth the investment. It is the bridge that connects every genre. From pop to hip-hop, the DNA of soul is present in everything we consume.
If we continue to undervalue the artists who carry that torch, we risk losing the very thing that makes music meaningful. Without soul, music is just noise, and last night, Joe and Donell reminded us that even in an imperfect world, the soul remains
Valese Jones
