R&B veteran Jon B is walking back his previous harsh criticism of Gunna and Chloe Bailey for sampling his classic “They Don’t Know” on their 2022 track “You & Me.”
During a recent episode of the Shirley’s Temple podcast, the 50-year-old singer admitted he regretted how he originally addressed the song, calling out his lack of podcast experience and the way his words were received.
“I regretted how I spoke on it the first time because I wasn’t used to being on podcasts,” Jon said around the 48-minute mark. “I was sort of new to that whole thing of speaking my truths in a way.”
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“I Never Wanna Come Off Like a Hater”
Jon B revealed that what truly made him rethink his comments was seeing Chloe Bailey’s emotional response during a 2024 Breakfast Club interview. That moment, he said, hit him hard.
“It hurt me because I was like, ‘Man, that could be my daughter right there,’” Jon shared, referencing his two daughters aged 11 and 17. “I never wanna come off like a hater.”
He emphasized the values of respect and chivalry that he holds in his household, adding that his earlier reaction did not reflect who he truly is as a person, artist, or father.
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What Went Wrong the First Time
In a July 2024 appearance on the Can We Talk R&B? podcast, Jon B didn’t hold back, calling “You & Me” a “ratchet record” that he “couldn’t stand.” He also claimed the song had been released before proper clearance was secured.
“I wish they never did [that],” Jon said at the time. “They never actually got my rights to do that record either, so Gunna we gotta holler about that… It’s some business sht we got to handle.”*
Though he acknowledged it was a “compliment” to the original song’s impact, he stressed that artists must respect creative lanes and secure proper permissions before releasing sampled work.
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Chloe Bailey Responds with Grace
Chloe Bailey, who collaborated with Gunna on the controversial track, responded to Jon’s criticism during a September 2024 Breakfast Club appearance.
“Jon B is an incredible artist,” she said. “If that song didn’t exist, we couldn’t sample it. I love what Gunna and I did to it. I’m sad he feels that way, but, hey, everyone has opinions.”
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A Lesson in Respect and Reflection
Now with some distance—and growth—Jon B seems more focused on healing and mutual respectthan reigniting any feud. He clarified that he prefers being consulted before a sample is released, not after the fact.
“If it’s out already, the damage is done, you know what I mean?”
While the business aspect may still need to be handled behind the scenes, Jon B’s updated tone shows a more reflective, understanding side—one shaped by fatherhood, longevity, and a desire not to tarnish his legacy.
Ultimately, his regret may serve as a reminder to other artists navigating the increasingly blurred lines between homage, sampling, and ownership in today’s music industry.
