Joe or Donell Jones? The Ultimate Track-by-Track Breakdown of Who Wins This R&B Verzuz
Calling all aunties, uncles, Chi-Town, and Georgia: this next Verzuz is strictly for you! R&B legends Joe and Donell Jones are going head-to-head on Thursday, Aug. 20, showcasing their iconic catalogs. But the ultimate question remains: who takes the win?
On paper, Joe boasts more crossover hits, a bigger discography, and iconic features alongside everyone from Big Pun to 50 Cent and G-Unit. Plus, his recent Tiny Desk Concert reminded folks that Joe Thomas can still stand flat-footed and sang in a mic that’s always on.
Donell’s catalog isn’t as extensive, but what he may lack in quantity he makes up for in concentration. “Where I Wanna Be” (1999) remains one of the defining R&B albums of the late 1990s, and his songwriting credits could surprise people who only know the singles.
Before the highly-anticipated Verzuz next week, we put together the ultimate track-by-track breakdown of who had the stronger breakup anthem to who had the better Big Pun collaboration. (Also, opinions from Millennials and above only.)
Round 1: “I Wanna Know” vs. “Where I Wanna Be”
On “I Wanna Know,” Joe is ready to study his partner like there will be a final exam. He wants to know what makes her cry, what makes her smile and everything required to love her correctly.
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Donell is on the opposite side of the relationship. “Where I Wanna Be” is what happens when somebody stops pretending everything is fine and admits they need to leave—even if they aren’t completely sure what they’re looking for.
Joe gave us the bigger vocal moment, but Donell gave us the painfully honest breakup record people still scream like they personally wrote it.
The Root’s pick: Donell Jones
Round 2: “Stutter” vs. “U Know What’s Up”
When Joe confronted his partner and caught her stumbling over her lies, his paranoia turned into pure musical gold. “Stutter” is chaotic and accusatory enough to make everybody in the room start looking guilty.
“U Know What’s Up,” featuring Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, doesn’t have to work that hard. The beat arrives, Donell slides into the pocket, and the function changes immediately. More than two decades later, that opening still has the power to make people abandon their seats.
The Root’s pick: Donell Jones
Round 3: “All the Things” vs. “Do U Wanna”
On “All the Things (Your Man Won’t Do),” Joe is outside the house with a resume, references, and a detailed presentation about every need the current boyfriend has failed to meet. This record makes you think about your value and remember you deserve the world, not the bare minimum.
Donell’s “Do U Wanna” is less concerned with the competition and is listing the reasons why he IS the choice. He skips the comparison and gets directly to the invitation, trusting his laid-back delivery to close the deal.
The Root’s pick: Joe
Round 4: “Don’t Wanna Be a Player” vs. “It’s So Hard”
Neither crooner had to change who he is to fit comfortably beside a rapper on a song. Joe’s “Don’t Wanna Be a Player” became the foundation for Big Pun’s “Still Not a Player,” transforming a smooth R&B record into one of hip-hop’s most recognizable hits.
Donell went directly into Pun’s world on “It’s So Hard,” delivering a hook that was melodic enough for radio but tough enough to match the record surrounding it.
Still, it is difficult to beat a song that eventually became part of R&B and hip-hop history.
The Root’s pick: Joe
Round 5: “The Love Scene” vs. “This Luv”
“The Love Scene” is Joe in full seduction mode. It is detailed, theatrical and completely uninterested in leaving anything to the imagination. He’s commanding you to be submissive.
Donell’s “This Luv” is smoother and less performative. He isn’t trying to tear the house down; he’s creating the kind of atmosphere that makes you forget you were supposed to leave an hour ago.
Donell sets a beautiful mood, but Joe sounds like he arrived with a lighting crew, rose petals and a shot list.
The Root’s pick: Donell Jones
Round 6: “Can Heaven Wait” vs. “Get It Together”
We all know with Verzuz, the competing artists often play records they wrote to be apart of the battle. Joe co-wrote “Can Heaven Wait” for Luther Vandross, creating a tender plea for more time with the person you love.
Donell wrote and produced 702’s “Get It Together,” one of the greatest “either act right or get out” songs ever recorded by a girl group.
Helping write for Luther is an impressive credit under any circumstances. But “Get It Together” became a full-blown R&B standard.
The Root’s pick: Donell Jones
Round 7: “Big Rich Town” vs. “I’ll Go”
Joe’s voice became part of television history through “Big Rich Town,” the 50 Cent-assisted theme song that opened “Power” on Starz. The second you hear, “They say this is a big, rich town,” viewers knew lies, betrayal and at least one terrible decision were sure to follow.
Donell’s “I’ll Go,” featured on the “Love & Basketball” soundtrack, operates on the opposite end of the emotional spectrum. The song is tender, patient and permanently connected to one of the most beloved Black love stories ever put on film.
This one depends on whether the room wants Ghost or Quincy, but Donell’s song carries an emotional attachment that extends far beyond the soundtrack.
The Root’s pick: Donell Jones
Round 8: “Faded Pictures” vs. “Better Start Talking”
On “Faded Pictures,” Joe and singer Case mourn a love that has already become a memory. Their voices carry the exhaustion of two men staring at what remains after a relationship falls apart.
Donell’s “Better Start Talking,” featuring Jermaine Dupri, catches the relationship slightly earlier. The evidence is piling up, the explanations aren’t making sense, and Donell has reached the point where somebody better start telling the truth.
“Better Start Talking” brings urgency, but “Faded Pictures” gives us two premier R&B voices grieving over the same beat.
The Root’s pick: Joe
Round 9: “My Name Is Joe” vs. “Where I Wanna Be”
Joe’s 2000 studio album, “My Name Is Joe” is stacked. “I Wanna Know,” “Stutter,” “Treat Her Like a Lady” and “Thank God I Found You”—shoutout to the remix featuring Nas and Mariah Carey—showed that he could move between quiet-storm R&B, hip-hop collaborations, and pop crossover moments without losing his identity.
Still, “Where I Wanna Be” (1999) feels like Donell’s most complete statement. The singles are undeniable, but the album cuts are why listeners continue returning to it. “This Luv,” “Have You Seen Her” and “Think About It” helped create a project that feels lived-in rather than assembled around a few hits.
The Root’s pick: Donell Jones
Round 10: “Good Girls” vs. “Have You Seen Her”
On “Good Girls,” Joe wonders why dependable women continue choosing men who refuse to treat them properly. Naturally, he presents himself as the solution.
Donell’s “Have You Seen Her” finds him searching for the woman who might finally make him settle down. It is smooth, vulnerable and just vague enough to make you question whether this woman exists—or whether Donell simply enjoys the chase.
“Have You Seen Her” captures Donell’s charm in its purest form. But, overall, “Good Girls” stands the test of time in this battle.
The Root’s pick: Joe
Round 11: “Ride Wit U” vs. “I’m Gonna Be”
On “Ride Wit U,” Joe links with G-Unit for a record that feels equally suited for the club, the car and whatever happened after the club. Joe handles the seduction while 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, and Young Buck bring the crew energy.
Donell answers with “I’m Gonna Be,” featuring Clipse. His relaxed delivery creates a slick contrast with Pusha T and Malice, two rappers who could make even a romantic record sound like business was being conducted somewhere in the background.
Joe has the more recognizable collaboration, but Donell’s Clipse connection is exactly the kind of deep pull that earns respect during Verzuz. But, we gonna have to ride with Joe on this one.
The Root’s pick: Joe
Winner: Donell Jones
We can’t wait to see this Verzuz between these two, because the real winners will be the audience and the viewers!
The Joe vs. Donell Jones Verzuz battle streams live on Thursday, Aug. 20, at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. Tune in live on Apple Music, or the official Verzuz Facebook and TikTok channels.
