It is that raspy voice that takes us back to Angela Winbush and Chaka Khan. That jam that comes through the speakers with that unforgettable commanding voice that puts you in a trance. That artist that makes you remember where you were and what you were doing when that particular song came on. The artist that evokes emotions from deep down in her soul. One of those artists is Syleena Johnson. She encompasses all of the above attributes and so much more.

Syleena Johnson was a psychology student in college when she decided to change majors and pursue a career in music. "I had won first place in a college talent show. That is when I decided that it would maybe be better to work on my singing career," Syleena says. "Figured I would most likely get As in singing anyway!" With that positive attitude in tow, Syleena embarked on her singing career.

With the release of an independent record that was produced by her father, veteran blues man Syl Johnson, she was on her way. The record did not cause a stir but the time that was spent in the studio had given Syleena the recording bug. When asked if her father encouraged her to pursue singing, she says, "I was not encouraged at all, I was actually discouraged. My father did not like the fact that I was getting into the business. He always told me that the industry was not a place for young ladies. But later on he saw my talent and supported me."

With her parents support, Syleena put out her debut album Chapter 1:Love, Pain and Forgiveness and dropped the single, "I Am Your Woman." A song with plenty of soul and heart-felt anguish. This album received high acclaim and had the critics reeling about Ms. Johnson. It also helped that none other than her label mate R. Kelly wrote the single and that she is a songwriter as well. One critic declared that her debut album was "one that your daddy would like." On hearing this statement shared with her, she replied with a laugh, "I would definitely say that this album has more for the masses. There is definitely something for everyone. It is a very versatile disc and there is a wide spectrum on this album. Something for your dad as well as your daughter."

Syleena's style right away set her in the neo Soul genre of music. The transition from old school music to neo Soul does not sit well with a lot of critics and some artists as well. Some see the term neo Soul as a cop out. Syleena sees herself as part of a music with deep roots. "I feel that it is just a tag that is placed on an artist, so that we can feel more comfortable with not being part of the norm." Syleena stresses that "This type of singing, r&b singing, is not new music. Music like pop, r&b, rap etc. evolves and in its evolution credibility is taken away from the music. R&B is singing from the soul, which is how it has always been and it will always continue to be." Indeed.

Syleena's new single from her album Chapter 2:The Voice is a collaboration with Busta Rhymes, Rampage, Sham and Spliff Star, titled "Tonight I'm Gonna Let Go - Remix" and it is sure to be a hit. The sample used is Busta's "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See," which happens to be one of Ms. Johnson's favorite songs as well as Busta being one of her favorite artists.

"See I wanted to do like what Ashanti did," Syleena explains. "She used 'One More Chance' by Biggie and you cannot mistake the song. I also wanted to do the song with a legend in the game, someone with longevity and with whom the song would be associated with."

Not being shy on doing collaborations, Syleena has a track titled "Untouchable" with DMX on his upcoming release. But right now, she is just concentrating on the release of her sophomore release. "I really hope that everyone will see how much I have grown from my first album. I love this album and I am extremely proud of my work on this disk."

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