Prophet Jones

Throughout history, Prophets have always been looked at as earthly people that have a special talent for speaking the word that folks want, or more appropriately, need to hear.

While not overly spiritual, R&B group Prophet Jones, seeks to uplift people in a similar way with its powerful, heartfelt vocals, reminiscent of the soul music of old, but injected with modern hip-hop and R&B flavors. What separates them from the average R&B group? You might say that Prophet Jones raps with melody. “Our vocals are old school R&B, but we’re influenced by today’s hip-hop,” Prophet Jones member Goldee explains.

The name Prophet Jones describes a group of guys that have an extraordinary gift for speaking to people through their music (Prophet). However, they appear no different than the guy next door (Jones). Through the use of their musical gift, the members of Prophet Jones shine like the ice on their wrists while still keeping it grimy. “We sing to the streets,” Hollywood remarks.

“The name Prophet Jones goes back to our image,” group member Goldee recalls. “When people see us in the mall, they look at us as just some young thugs ‘chilling on a corner.’ We don’t look at ourselves like that and we don’t feel like anyone else should either.” Prophet Jones also holds their fans in high esteem. “We see all our fans and friends as royalty under one divine king,” P. Rowe says. “That’s why we call all of our supporters majesty.”

Prophet Jones uplifts on its shining self-titled freshman effort with feel-good songs — everything from club anthems to soothing ballads. “Woof,” the bouncy first single from the CD, was laced by Chris “Tricky” Stewart, who has produced soundscapes for Mya (“Case Of The Ex”), JT Money, and Sole. Other tracks include the mellow, yet sensual, “Come Inside” and the seamless wedding song, “Lifetime.”

“We’ve got a little something for everyone,” Prophet Jones member P. Rowe says, describing the group’s music. “The single, ‘Woof,’ is for the younger audience, for the clubs and for the little hip-hop heads. ‘Doing Me’ is a laid back, California, beautiful women, clubbish kind of thing. We’ve also got a lot of ballads.”

Prophet Jones also tips their hats to the masters of soul with a cover of the O’Jays’ “Cry Together.” “We just wanted to give back to the great songwriters who came before us,” K.D. says, “like Philly soul legends Gamble and Huff, the original writers of ‘Cry Together.’” According to Goldee, that track not only shows the diversity of the group, but also demonstrates a great range of vocal skills. “We like to surprise people because when you look at us you wouldn’t think that we could sing that O’Jays song. Expect the unexpected from Prophet Jones.”

While many newcomers don’t have the opportunity to write and record their own songs, the members of Prophet Jones receive songwriting credits on 5 out of the 12 songs of their self-titled University Records/Motown Records debut. “We had a lot of creative control,” K.D. said. “A lot of people ask, ‘Did someone write your album?’ Most new acts don’t get to write their own material, but I guess we’re just blessed to have the talent and a label that respects us.”

“They are the 21st Century Jodeci,” assures Haqq Islam, President of University Records, home of multi-platinum hit-makers Mya and Dru Hill. “We’re putting a new face on R&B because Prophet Jones is in a class all by themselves. This is old school soul with cross-generational appeal.”

The formation of any tight-knit, highly ambitious group has an intriguing story. And Prophet Jones has theirs.

Washington, D.C. natives Hollywood and Goldee met in high school on the talent show circuit. After joining forces and making a name for themselves locally, the two hooked up with producer, Kevin Jackson’s Night Flight Music. They scraped up enough money to record a 7-song demo, which was sent to several record companies. University’s CEO/President Haqq Islam was searching for an R&B quartet to sign to the label and responded immediately, inviting Hollywood and Goldee to New York. “When Goldee and I got to New York, the record company was expecting a foursome because of the way we stacked our harmonies,” explains Hollywood. “I was shocked when only two guys showed up but I knew Hollywood and Goldee were the beginnings of something great – Prophet Jones,” Islam recalls.

Enter K.D., a Baltimore, MD native, started his career as an entertainer and entrepreneur at the early age of 2 and hasn’t stopped since. “Back in my hometown of Baltimore, I used to sing, tap dance, do talent shows, all that stuff. I even used to make little demo tapes of my stuff.” All of K.D.’s persistence and hard work paid off two years ago when mutual friends put he and Goldee back in touch (they had met the year before at an industry event). Hollywood and Goldee decided they had found Prophet Jones’s third member. “I’m the visual side of the group,” K.D. says. “I’m real dramatic but I’m also quiet and shy. I just transform while I’m performing. I’ll be the one dancing on the speakers on stage.”

Haqq Islam brought the fourth and final member, P. Rowe, into the Prophet Jones mix. P. Rowe was raised in the church and started his musical journey at the age of 8 when he got a set of drums for Christmas. The Ft. Pierce, Florida-born beat-maker’s earliest experiences include the church band, community choir and his high school group, Four of a Kind. His big break came when he performed at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College’s homecoming as opening act for University Records acts, Mya and Terry Dexter. Here he ran into Islam, who asked him to come to New York for a meeting.

It was in Islam’s office that Prophet Jones was born. “We’re like long-lost brothers,” boasts K.D. “We’re on the same page spiritually, mentally, and musically.” Islam agrees, “The guys in Prophet Jones all have a reference for music history. They know about Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, The Temptations and the impact they had on black music. These guys are extraordinarily talented.” Islam breaks down each individual member: “P. Rowe has that old, gritty soul sound like Al Green. There’s no one like him in the market. Hollywood is the Eddie Levert or Teddy Pendergrass, a strong vocalist. K.D. is our falsetto, and Goldee, he’s like a young Jo Jo (from Jodeci).”

The members of Prophet Jones have already enjoyed big-time exposure, opening shows for the likes of Mya, Sisqo, the Ruff Ryders, and Eve. “We would perform and grab the crowd’s attention before we had even released a record,” K.D. recalls. “We did one show where P. Rowe actually got chased off the stage by 15 girls and they had to call security.” But the members of Prophet Jones aren’t letting anything go to their head. As Hollywood explains, “As Prophet Jones, we are just blessed that we can share our gifts and talents with the world.”