{{short description|American singer, songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox person |name = John Webb Jr. |other_names = Jon Jon Traxx, John John Webb, Jonathan Webb |birth_place = [[St. Louis|St. Louis, Missouri]], United States |alma_mater = |module = {{Infobox musical artist |embed = yes |genre = {{hlist|[[Rhythm and blues|R&B]]|[[Hip hop music|hip hop]]|[[pop music|pop]]|[[Gospel music|gospel]]}} |label = |occupation = {{Hlist | Singer | songwriter | producer | multi-instrumentalist}} |background = person<!-- track if single person or group for hCard microformat: use value person or group_or_band. --> }} }}
'''Jon Jon Traxx''' is a producer, songwriter, bassist, and drummer best known for co-writing/co-producing [[Beyoncé]]'s "[[Déjà Vu (Beyoncé song)|Deja Vu]]", [[Karmin]] promotional single "[[I Told You So (Karmin song)|I Told You So]]", and moderate R&B hits "Bravo" ([[Ledisi]]) and "[[Turn the Page (Bobby Valentino song)|Turn The Page]]" ([[Bobby V]]).
==Early life== Webb began as a church drummer, performing in the St. Louis area as a youth.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/jon-jon-webb-beyonce-deja-vu|title="I knew Beyoncé would really belt it out there, so I wanted to play something more in your face": Meet the unsung bass hero who laid down one of the noughties' most irresistible basslines with Beyoncé|first=Chris|last=Jisi|date=June 13, 2024|website=guitarworld}}</ref> Both of his parents were musicians, and Webb used to spend hours in the studio watching his father record.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.flavourmag.co.uk/jon-jon-traxx-traxx-is-on-the-verge-of-being-a-super-producer-%E2%80%93-watch-this-space/|title=Jon Jon Traxx: Traxx is on the verge of being a super-producer – watch this space!|first=Andrea|last=Mastris|website=Flavour Magazine|date=March 24, 2011|access-date=January 25, 2025|archive-date=June 16, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240616084720/https://www.flavourmag.co.uk/jon-jon-traxx-traxx-is-on-the-verge-of-being-a-super-producer-%E2%80%93-watch-this-space/|url-status=live}}</ref> By 16 he had switched to the bass guitar, and moved to Houston. [[Meshell Ndegeocello]] heard him in a Houston club one night and hired him for a two-year stint as her touring bassist.<ref name="auto2"/>
==Career== By 2005, Webb was being mentored by notable producer [[Rodney Jerkins]], which resulted in various instrumental credits across albums from [[Tamia]], ''American Idol'' contestant [[Paris Bennett]], and [[Bobby V]]. Webb also appeared twice on ''[[Been a While]]'', the 2005 debut solo album of future [[Danity Kane]] member [[Dawn Richard]].
One evening while driving to a 7-Eleven before a recording session, [[Michael Jackson]]’s “[[Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough]]” came on the radio, and having previously worked with Jackson, Jerkins, alongside mentee Webb "came up with the concept of doing an old-school track,... A throwback with real bass and horns..." to give Beyoncé something of that caliber.<ref name="auto2"/><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/music/news/beyonce-bday-album-at-15-collaborators-remember-1235056285/|title=Beyonce's 'B'Day' Turns 15: Collaborators Remember the Music, Moves and Visuals|first=Alex|last=Gonzalez|date=September 4, 2021|access-date=January 25, 2025|website=Variety|archive-date=February 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211055508/https://variety.com/2021/music/news/beyonce-bday-album-at-15-collaborators-remember-1235056285/|url-status=live}}</ref> Later, in Jerkins' New Jersey studio alongside several songwriters, Jerkins and Webb cut the demo in the span of an hour and presented it to Beyoncé, who fell in love with the record and cut it immediately.<ref name="auto"/> The completed song ("[[Déjà Vu (Beyoncé song)|Deja Vu]]") would ultimately win the "Gentlemen's battle" between producers Jerkins, [[Sean Garrett]], [[Swizz Beatz]], [[The Neptunes]], and [[Rich Harrison]] at [[Sony Music Studios]] to secure the lead single for Beyonce's sophomore album ''[[B'Day]]'', and peaked in the top 10 in various markets, resulting in three Grammy nominations and earning Webb his first co-producer credit and Grammy nomination.<ref name="auto1">{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/john-webb/14259|title=John Webb|website=The Recording Academy|access-date=2025-01-19|archive-date=January 19, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250119172008/https://www.grammy.com/artists/john-webb/14259|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2010, Webb would begin a writing and producing partnership with fellow songwriter-producer [[Claude Kelly]], placing songs on albums from Ledisi, Karmin, [[Boys Like Girls]], [[Jessie J]], and [[Eve (rapper)|Eve]].
In 2018, Webb executive-produced debut project ''Running To The Sun'' for [[Wondaland Arts Society]] group [[St. Beauty]], producing five out of the ten tracks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/st-beauty-running-to-the-sun-ep-557654/|title=St. Beauty Will Kick-Start The New Year With 'Running To The Sun' Debut EP|first=Stacy-Ann|last=Ellis|date=January 5, 2018|website=Vibe|access-date=January 25, 2025|archive-date=March 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326181639/https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/st-beauty-running-to-the-sun-ep-557654/|url-status=live}}</ref> In an interview with UK publication ''[[I-D]]'' on the project, St. Beauty stated, "Our producer, Jon Jon Traxx, made us feel very comfortable in the studio so we were able to open up, try new things, explore, and figure out what our sound was. He challenged us. Even the times when we thought that our ideas were great and that a song was done, he’d be like, 'no, you guys could do better.' Having someone challenge us was great feedback."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://i-d.co/article/st-beauty-makes-the-iridescent-soul-music-we-need-right-now/|title=st. beauty makes the iridescent soul music we need right now|first=Amira|last=Rasool|website=[[i-D]]}}</ref>
In 2019, Webb reached the top 10 on the [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] ''Top Gospel Producers'' Chart for his contributions to gospel singer [[Casey J]]'s sophomore album ''The Gathering''.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/john-jon-jon-traxx-webb-jr/|title=John "Jon Jon Traxx" Webb Jr. | Biography, Music & News|magazine=Billboard}}</ref> In 2023, Webb contributed multiple songs to gospel artist [[Dante Bowe]]'s eponymous third studio album and upcoming album ''Press Play'', including lead single "Hide Me" which reached the ''Billboard'' Gospel Airplay chart.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chvnradio.com/articles/dante-bowe-releases-new-music-after-dismissal-from-maverick-city-|title=Dante Bowe releases new music after dismissal from Maverick City|website=CHVN Radio|access-date=February 2, 2025|archive-date=June 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240621194402/https://chvnradio.com/articles/dante-bowe-releases-new-music-after-dismissal-from-maverick-city-|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2024, he produced "Sugarwater & Lime" for [[Elijah Blake]]'s eponymous album.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ratedrnb.com/2024/05/elijah-blake-new-song-sugarwater-lime/|title=Elijah Blake Shares New Song 'Sugarwater & Lime'|first=Keithan|last=Samuels|date=May 20, 2024|website=Rated R&B|access-date=April 24, 2025|archive-date=January 23, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123181814/https://ratedrnb.com/2024/05/elijah-blake-new-song-sugarwater-lime/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Legal disputes== In 2016, Webb sued rapper [[Iggy Azalea]] for $1.5 Million, after reportedly signing a recording contract with her in 2009 and not being compensated.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/iggy-azalea-sued-by-producer/|title=Iggy Azalea Sued By Producer Who Claims He Helped Jumpstart Her Career - XXL|first=Max|last=Weinstein|date=May 11, 2016|website=XXL Mag|access-date=January 25, 2025|archive-date=January 20, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250120004254/https://www.xxlmag.com/iggy-azalea-sued-by-producer/|url-status=live}}</ref> In the contract with the then-unsigned artist, Webb agreed to coordinate meetings with major labels, coordinate show and venue bookings, and recruit a stylist. When Azalea signed with [[Def Jam Recordings]] in 2013, the two amicably agreed to part ways, but one of the conditions to end the contract required that Webb would receive compensation, which did not occur.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.38766/title.iggy-azalea-slapped-with-1-5-million-lawsuit-by-grammy-winning-producer|title=Iggy Azalea Slapped With $1.5 Million Lawsuit By Grammy-Winning Producer|date=May 11, 2016|website=HipHopDX|access-date=January 25, 2025|archive-date=January 20, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250120212704/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.38766/title.iggy-azalea-slapped-with-1-5-million-lawsuit-by-grammy-winning-producer|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Selected songwriting and production credits== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" ! scope="col" style="width:32em;"| Title ! scope="col"| Year ! scope="col"| Artist ! scope="col"| Album |- !scope="row"|"[[Déjà Vu (Beyoncé song)|Déjà Vu]]" |2006 |[[Beyoncé]] |''[[B'Day]]'' |- !scope="row"|"[[Turn the Page (Bobby Valentino song)|Turn the Page]]" |2007 |[[Bobby V]] |''[[Special Occasion (Bobby Valentino album)|Special Occasion]]'' |- !scope="row"|"Bravo" |rowspan="4"|2011 |rowspan="2"|[[Ledisi]] |rowspan="2"|''[[Pieces of Me (Ledisi album)|Pieces of Me]]'' |- !scope="row"|"Shine" |- !scope="row"|"Mr. Invisible" |rowspan="2"|[[Chris Walker (musician)|Chris Walker]] |rowspan="2"|''Zone'' |- !scope="row"|"Purity" |- !scope="row"|"Walking on the Moon" |rowspan="5"|2012 |rowspan="3"|[[Karmin]] |rowspan="3"|''[[Hello (Karmin EP)|Hello]]'' |- !scope="row"|"[[I Told You So (Karmin song)|I Told You So]]" |- !scope="row"|"I'm Just Sayin'" |- !scope="row"|"Stuck In The Middle" |[[Boys Like Girls]] |''[[Crazy World (Boys Like Girls album)|Crazy World]]'' |- !scope="row"|"Until I Pass Out" |[[Uncle Reece]] |''Bold'' |- !scope="row"|"Conquer The World" (Featuring [[Brandy Norwood|Brandy]]) |rowspan="4"|2013 |[[Jessie J]] |''[[Alive (Jessie J album)|Alive]]'' |- !scope="row"|"Misconception Pt 2" (Featuring W.L.A.K.) |[[Lecrae]] |''[[Church Clothes 2]]'' |- !scope="row"|"Make It Out This Town" (Featuring [[Gabe Saporta]]) |rowspan="2"|[[Eve (rapper)|Eve]] |rowspan="2"|''[[Lip Lock]]'' |- !scope="row"|"All Night" (Featuring [[Claude Kelly]] & Propain) |- !scope="row"|"Pulses" |rowspan="9"|2014 |rowspan="2"|Karmin |rowspan="2"|''[[Pulses (Karmin album)|Pulses]]'' |- !scope="row"|"Drifter" |- !scope="row"|"Do Not Disturb" (Featuring [[Chris Brown]]) |[[Teyana Taylor]] |''[[VII (Teyana Taylor album)|VII]]'' |- !scope="row"|"On Demand" (Featuring [[Wale (rapper)|Wale]] & [[August Alsina]]) |[[Keyshia Cole]] |''[[Point of No Return (Keyshia Cole album)|Point of No Return]]'' |- !scope="row"|"Better" |[[Jessica Reedy]] |''Transparent'' |- !scope="row"|"That Good Good" |rowspan="4"|Ledisi |rowspan="4"|''[[The Truth (Ledisi album)|The Truth]]'' |- !scope="row"|"Anything" |- !scope="row"|"The Truth" |- !scope="row"|"Quick Fix" |- !scope="row"|"Safari" (Featuring Janelle Monáe, [[St. Beauty]] & [[Nana Kwabena Tuffuor|Nana Kwabena]]) |rowspan="2"|2017 |[[Jidenna]] |''[[The Chief (album)|The Chief]]'' |- !scope="row"|"Slow Burn" |[[Daley (musician)|Daley]] |''[[The Spectrum (album)|The Spectrum]]'' |- !scope="row"|"Take A Byte" |rowspan="2"|2018 |rowspan="2"|[[Janelle Monáe]] |rowspan="2"|''[[Dirty Computer]]'' |- !scope="row"|"Americans" |- !scope="row"|"Sugarwater & Lime" |2024 |[[Elijah Blake]] |''Elijah.'' |- !scope="row"|"Weigh Me Down" |2025 |[[Keri Hilson]] |''[[We Need to Talk: Love]]'' |- !scope="row"|"Ms. Goody Two Shoes" |2026 |[[Alex Isley]] |''[[When the City Sleeps]]'' |- |}
==Awards and nominations== {| class="wikitable" ! scope="col"| Year ! scope="col"| Ceremony ! scope="col"| Award ! scope="col"| Result !Ref |- | 2007 | [[49th Annual Grammy Awards]] | [[Best R&B Song]] (''[[Déjà Vu (Beyoncé song)|Déjà Vu]]'') | {{nominated}} | style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="auto1"/> |}
== References == {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Traxx, Jon Jon}} [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:African-American songwriters]] [[Category:Songwriters from Missouri]] [[Category:Record producers from Missouri]] [[Category:R&B percussionists]] [[Category:21st-century American bass guitarists]] [[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]] [[Category:Musicians from St. Louis]] [[Category:African-American male songwriters]] [[Category:American male bass guitarists]] [[Category:African-American male guitarists]]