Memorial Hall’s RiseUp Series presents Syleena Johnson (acoustic)

The Official Album Release Concert

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 avenues 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 was released in 2020.

In 2017, the R&B Diva united with father – Legendary Soul/Blues Singer Syl Johnson for REBIRTH OF SOUL, their first recording together in over two decades. 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.