Syleena Johnson (née Thompson; born September 2, 1976) is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter and actress. She is best known for her guest appearance on Kanye West's 2004 single "All Falls Down," which peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100.
Early Career and Debut Album
In 1998, Johnson released her demo, Love Hangover. In 2001, she released her debut studio album, Chapter 1: Love, Pain, and Forgiveness. Her debut single, "I Am Your Woman", was co-written by American former singer-songwriter R.
Critical Acclaim and "All Falls Down"
She signed with Jive Records to release three albums: Chapter 1: Love, Pain & Forgiveness (2001), Chapter 2: The Voice (2002), and Chapter 3: The Flesh (2005), each of which received critical acclaim and modest commercial reception. Chapter 2: The Voice was voted No.
In 2004, Johnson was featured as a vocalist on Kanye West's single "All Falls Down", from his debut album, The College Dropout, after West was unable to use the original sample recorded by Lauryn Hill during her 2002 MTV unplugged performance. Unfairly, she's best known for Kanye West's "All Falls Down".
Syleena Johnson Talks Talent, Kanye West, R. Kelly Connection, New Music + More
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Further Albums and Appearances
In 2005, Johnson released Chapter 3: The Flesh. Contact Music gave the album a 5/5 review, stating: "Third album for Jive from probably the most under-rated artist in the world is just what you expect from an artist of this quality..."
Steve Jones of USA Today gave Chapter 4: Labor Pains 3.5/4 stating "Despite critical acclaim for her ongoing personal chronicles that began with 2001's Chapter 1: Love, Pain & Forgiveness, the soulful Chicago native never found a mainstream niche.
In 2009, Johnson appeared on a single with KRS-One, Twista and Crucial Conflict titled "Self Destruction".
Television and Education
Johnson starred in TV One reality series R&B Divas: Atlanta from 2012 to 2014; lasting three seasons.
In June 2015, Johnson graduated from Drake University, where she received her bachelor's degree in nutrition science, summa cum laude, 21 years after she enrolled.
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Personal Life
In August 2000, Johnson married former Illinois State University college basketball player Marcus Betts. On July 1, 2007, she married Kiwane Garris. Garris, a fellow Chicagoan, is a worldwide journeyman basketball player, having played for various NBA and EuroLeague teams. On August 1, 2007, after forty-eight hours of labor, their son Kiwane Garris Jr. was born.
Discography (selected):
| Album | Year |
|---|---|
| Chapter 1: Love, Pain & Forgiveness | 2001 |
| Chapter 2: The Voice | 2002 |
| Chapter 3: The Flesh | 2005 |
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