Video Soul

"I say f**k the police, thats how I treat 'em
we buy our way out of jail, but we can't buy freedom
we'll buy a lot of clothes when we don't really need 'em
things we buy to cover up what's inside
cause they make us hate ourself and love they wealth..."

Soul Fixin'

Syleena's Latest Chapter
Syleena Johnson has unveiled the album art for her the latest chapter in her trilogy of albums, The Chicago native looks stunning even with a tear drop making it's way down her beautiful face. Chapter 4: Labor Pains, a personal narrative chronicling Syleena's life as mother and newlywed, hits the streets on September 2. The album marks a change in Syleena's recording career, the sultry vocalist parted ways with Jive Records and started her own label, Aneelys Records. Syleena's signature gritty vocals can be heard on the latest Chapter 4: Labor Pains track to hit the net. Syleena follows in the footsteps of fellow Chi-Town native Curtis Mayfield with the socially conscious 'Freedom.' Syleena makes it a family affair by sampling her pop's 'I'm Talking About Freedom.' By the way, her father is the legendary and highly underrated Syl Johnson.

Soul Fixin'

'Leena Covers L.Boogie
An artist should wait at least 12 years before remaking a hit song, remaking classic songs that are still crisp in the listeners' mind isn't the best idea. Case in point, Luther Vandross recorded 'A House Is Not A Home' well over a decade after Dionne Warwick's voice soared on the Bacharach gem, En Vogue did the same thing with Aretha's 'Giving Him Something He Can Feel.' K- Ci Hailey cut a masterful version of the Bobby Womack classic 'If You Think You're Lonely Now' 13 years after the original. There have been a few exceptions, Aretha made 'Respect' her own a year after Otis Redding recorded the song, as did Al Green with The Temptations 'I Can't Get Next To You'. However, Aretha and Al brought new dynamics to the aforementioned songs and made you forget about the original. For her upcoming release, Chapter 4: Labor Pains, Syleena Johnson wraps her vocals around Lauryn Hill's 'Ex-Factor'.( It's hard to believe Lauryn blessed us with The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill 10 years ago.) Even though Syleena has the vocal chops to match, she falls short on remaking this classic song. Syleena does very little to transform the song and make it her own, she simply follows in the footsteps Lauryn laid in the ground 10 years ago. If anything, Syleena forces you to go find L.Boogie's brilliant debut album and listen to 'Ex-Factor' on repeat and reminiscence over poisonous relationships of the past. For those who don't know, Syleena Johnson's fourth album Chapter 4: Labor Pains hits store September 2 via her own Aneelys Records.

Soul Fixin'

Chapter 4: Labor Pains Listening Party

Take a look at this video of Syleena Johnson's listening party for her upcoming release. Syleena is due to release the fourth chapter in her trilogy of albums, Chapter 4: Labor Pains, on September 2.

Soul Fixin'

Chapter 4: Labor PainsBack in 2001, the R. Kelly penned song 'I Am Your Woman', was a staple on urban radio. The song reminded me of the Shirley Brown classic 'Woman To Woman.' I knew the woman singing the song would be around for a long time. Syleena Johnson, the youngest daughter of blues legend Syl Johnson, was that woman. One of R&B's most underrated vocalists, Syleena Johnson has released 3 studio albums, Chapter 1: Love, Pain, and Forgiveness, Chapter 2: The Voice, and Chapter 3: The Flesh.Since parting ways with Jive Records, Syleena has started her own record label, Annelys Records, and is busy putting the finishing touches on her latest album, Chapter 4: Labor Pains.The album includes a collaboration with Chicago rapper Teefa. Shawna is working on a rhyme for a track titled 'Maury Povich.' Syleena has also reached out to Twista, Dave Hollister and Kayne West. Chapter 4: Labor Pains is due in stores September 2, which also happens to be Syleena's birthday.