Kandi Krush Battle: Donell Jones & Joe Go Head To Head

When two smooth R&B voices like Donell Jones and Joe get together for a Kandi Krush battle, honey, you already know we’re about to revisit some memories!

The August 20 VERZUZ matchup brought these two R&B favorites together for a night filled with slow jams, remixes, deep cuts and songs that helped define an era. The official setlist included records like Joe’s “Don’t Wanna Be A Playa” remix with Big Pun, Donell Jones’ “U Know What’s Up” remix, Joe’s “I Wanna Know,” Donell’s “Shorty Got Her Eyes On Me” and “Where I Wanna Be.”

And that’s what I love about these battles. It’s not simply about asking who has the better song. It’s about the memories attached to those songs. “I Wanna Know” can take you right back to a certain relationship. “Where I Wanna Be” can have you thinking about the one that got away. And then you have those remixes and collaborations that remind you how deep the R&B and hip-hop connection has always been.

Donell and Joe represent two different flavors of that late-‘90s and early-2000s R&B sound, but both have catalogs that make you want to sing along. The battle was ultimately another reminder that R&B doesn’t have to scream to make an impact. Sometimes all it takes is a melody, a little heartbreak and the right groove. That’s why it’s time for another Kandi Krush Battle!!