Grammy-nominated
recording artists Syleena Johnson is a woman of many titles and
talents. Singer, songwriter, author, and daytime talk show host are just
a few avenue that she is able to share her gifts with the world. As an
R&B/soul songstress, Syleena Johnson was destined to touch people
and impact lives. Her sultry voice, combined with her timeless beauty,
classic style, and piercing delivery has made her a fan-favorite for
nearly twenty years.
Inspired by the pain, struggle, strength, and
resilience of women everywhere, Syleena returned to the studio with
Grammy award-winning production team, Toxic Productions. In January of
2019, Syleena dropped her highly anticipated single, WOMAN, from her
forthcoming new album with the same title. Their collaboration resulted
in a battle-cry for women everywhere, signaling a spirit of empowerment
and amplifying the desire for cultural change. WOMAN is the opening
single on the soundtrack of socially conscious revolution. Both Chicago
natives, Toxic and Syleena decided to join forces again on her 11th
studio album, Woman, which is set to be her most compelling work to
date.
In 2018, Syleena Johnson added the title of author to
her repertoire by releasing her highly anticipated self-help book, "The
Weight Is Over". “The Weight is Over” is her compelling and triumphant
journey toward self-love and discovery, while chronicling her battles
with body image birthed in adolescence and carried throughout her music
career. Honest, humane, and heart-warming, "The Weight Is Over" shares
Syleena's pain and progression; while providing practical ways to
identify and eliminate stressors to sustain optimal mental, emotional,
and physical health. A love letter of life's lessons, “The Weight Is
Over” shines a spotlight on the complexities of love and demonstrates
how self-worth can dictate how we emotionally invest in ourselves and
others. An ode to obstacles faced and conquered, this self-help book
sets an indelible tone for reflection, resurgence, and redemption.
Syleena Johnson's highly anticipated self-help book, "The Weight Is
Over," shares her compelling and painful journey toward self-love and
discovery; while chronicling her battles with body image birthed in
adolescence and carried throughout her music career.
In 2017, the R&B Diva united with father -
Legendary Soul/Blues Singer Syl Johnson for their first recording
together in over two decades. The iconic Etta James once said about
authentic soul and blues music, “you can’t fake this music. It’s how you
connect to the songs and to the history behind them.” Syleena Johnson
is one of those undeniable talents whose unfaltering truth shines
through every note she sings. Undoubtedly one of the most talented
singers of her generation, Johnson has collaborated with everyone from
Kanye West and Common to Anthony Hamilton and many more. In recent
years, she has enjoyed mainstream exposure appearing on such television
shows as TV One’s “R&B Divas: Atlanta” and WE TV’s “Marriage Boot
Camp: Reality Stars” and as of September 18, 2017 Syleena is featured on
the live TV One daily talk show “Sister Circle.” On November 10, 2017
Shanachie Entertainment released REBIRTH OF SOUL, a recording that
Syleena has long wanted to bring to fruition. Conceived and produced by
her father, the legendary soul/blues singer and producer Syl Johnson,
whose original hit version of “Take Me To The River” was covered by Al
Green and Talking Heads. Syl Johnson’s recordings have been sampled by
artists such as Wu-Tang Clan, Usher and Kanye West. REBIRTH OF SOUL
featured Syleena Johnson’s sultry interpretations of classic R&B
songs, mainly from the fifties and sixties; recorded in real time, with
live musicians, just the way “real music” used to be made. Recording in
Chicago, Syl Johnson’s long-time base and Syleena’s hometown, the
sessions include musicians who played on hit R&B recordings there
over the years and a majority of the album features songs associated
with Chicago artists, songwriters or record labels. Syleena shares, “The
inspiration behind REBIRTH OF SOUL is my father. In a time when
auto-tune and electronic beats reign supreme, I wanted to honor my
father and the beauty of musicianship.”
Syleena Johnson grew up outside of Chicago and one
might say music chose her. Her mother, incidentally, became the nation’s
first Black female police commissioner. Syleena released the
independent album LOVE HANGOVER in 1996. A Jive Records executive
immediately offered Syleena a recording contract upon hearing her demo.
The dissolution of a relationship with an abusive boyfriend provided raw
material for her major label debut album, CHAPTER 1: LOVE, PAIN &
FORGIVENESS, in 2001, which yielded the hit “I Am Your Woman,” penned by
fellow Chicagoan R. Kelly, and led to critical acclaim as an
exceptional new voice on the R&B scene. Her follow-up, CHAPTER 2:
THE VOICE, which featured guests such as Busta Rhymes, yielded the hit
“Guess What” and was hailed as one of the best R&B albums of the
year. Meanwhile, Kanye West tapped Syleena to handle the vocals on the
Top Ten worldwide hit “All Falls Down,” which also garnered her and West
a Grammy nomination and four VMA nominations for the video. With
momentum building, Syleena released CHAPTER 3: THE FLESH, which featured
guests R. Kelly, Anthony Hamilton, Jermaine Dupri, Common and Twista—a
mark of respect from her peers—as well as the hit “Another
Relationship.” Subsequently she also scored a hit with Cam’ron and Kanye
West with “Down & Out” and appeared on albums by DMX and Shawnna.
Syleena released CHAPTER 4: LABOR PAINS on her own Aneelys Records in
2008. The album opened with sounds from the birth of her and her
husband’s first child, a son. In 2011 she gave birth to their second
son. CHAPTER 5: UNDERRATED followed and featured the single “A Boss” and
a stunning duet with Tweet, “Angry Girl.” In 2012 Syleena released the
ACOUSTIC SOUL SESSIONS EP and the following year she joined forces with
Musiq Soulchild for the reggae album 9INE. CHAPTER 6: COUPLES THERAPY
followed in 2014, coinciding with her national profile via the reality
show R&B DIVAS ATLANTA and MARRIAGE BOOT CAMP, as well as an
appearance with her family on IYANLA: FIX MY LIFE. With the release of
REBIRTH OF SOUL, Syleena Johnson reaffirms her place as one of the most
dynamic singers of her generation, rooted in the great soul tradition
and uniquely capable of moving it forward. (EntertainmentOne)
Syleena’s passion doesn’t end on the last note at the
end of a song. A few years ago she launched, SheLean Health &
Fitness, which helps women in the area of health, nutrition and fitness.
SheLean Nutrition, Health, and Fitness is an online company created to
cater to women of various demographics. SheLean believes that optimal
health and wellness starts in the home with the woman, who is the
threshold of the family. Thus, by motivating and educating people with
the tools to achieve mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional health;
others will in turn, inspire families and help to prevent disease,
mental illness, and obesity by the masses. Our mission and goal is to
create an online network where women can attain the resources to do just
that. Our Motto is that in order for one to achieve health and
wellness, one must first understand health from awareness. SheLean
intends to save lives, but to also increase the quality of living of
those lives. For more information, go to www.SheLeanLife.com. Since
launching SheLean, Syleena has had the opportunity to spread the message
of health and wellness through several speaking engagements. She was
the guest speaker at The African American Wellness Walk in Dayton, OH
and at The Integrate to Success Conference in Columbia, SC.
Currently, Syleena is preparing for the release of
her new album, working on Sister Circle and rehearsing for her City
Winery and Festival Tour Summer 2019.
Credit: wwwcitywinery.com
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