Jon Jon Traxx is a producer, songwriter, bassist, and drummer best known for co-writing/co-producing Beyoncé's "Deja Vu", Karmin promotional single "I Told You So", and moderate R&B hits "Bravo" (Ledisi) and "Turn The Page" (Bobby V).
Early life Webb began as a church drummer, performing in the St. Louis area as a youth. Both of his parents were musicians, and Webb used to spend hours in the studio watching his father record. 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.
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. 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. The completed 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.
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.
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. 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."
In 2019, Webb reached the top 10 on the Billboard Top Gospel Producers Chart for his contributions to gospel singer Casey J's sophomore album The Gathering. 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. In 2024, he produced "Sugarwater & Lime" for Elijah Blake's eponymous album.
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. 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.
Selected songwriting and production credits Title Year Artist Album"Déjà Vu"2006BeyoncéB'Day"Turn the Page"2007Bobby VSpecial Occasion"Bravo"2011LedisiPieces of Me"Shine""Mr. Invisible"Chris WalkerZone"Purity""Walking on the Moon"2012KarminHello"I Told You So""I'm Just Sayin'""Stuck In The Middle"Boys Like GirlsCrazy World"Until I Pass Out"Uncle ReeceBold"Conquer The World" (Featuring Brandy)2013Jessie JAlive"Misconception Pt 2" (Featuring W.L.A.K.)LecraeChurch Clothes 2"Make It Out This Town" (Featuring Gabe Saporta)EveLip Lock"All Night" (Featuring Claude Kelly & Propain)"Pulses"2014KarminPulses"Drifter""Do Not Disturb" (Featuring Chris Brown)Teyana TaylorVII"On Demand" (Featuring Wale & August Alsina)Keyshia ColePoint of No Return"Better"Jessica ReedyTransparent"That Good Good"LedisiThe Truth"Anything""The Truth""Quick Fix""Safari" (Featuring Janelle Monáe, St. Beauty & Nana Kwabena)2017JidennaThe Chief"Slow Burn"DaleyThe Spectrum"Take A Byte"2018Janelle MonáeDirty Computer"Americans""Sugarwater & Lime"2024Elijah BlakeElijah."Weigh Me Down"2025Keri HilsonWe Need to Talk: Love"Ms. Goody Two Shoes"2026Alex IsleyWhen the City Sleeps
Awards and nominations Year Ceremony Award ResultRef 2007 49th Annual Grammy Awards Best R&B Song (Déjà Vu)
References