Syl Johnson (born Sylvester Thompson in Holly Springs, Mississippi, on 1 Ju… Read Full Bio ↴Syl Johnson (born Sylvester Thompson in Holly Springs, Mississippi, on 1 July 1936; died 6 February 2022 ) was an American blues and soul singer and music producer. His most successful records included "Different Strokes" (1967), "Is It Because I'm Black" (1969) and "Take Me to the River" (1975). "Different Strokes" has been sampled by number of rappers including Wu-Tang Clan, Hammer, and the Ghetto Boys. Blues guitarist and singer Jimmy Johnson, and bassist Mack Thompson, are his brothers.
In the 1950s, Johnson sang and played with blues artists Magic Sam, Billy Boy Arnold, Junior Wells and Howlin' Wolf, before recording with Jimmy Reed for Vee-Jay in 1959. He made his solo debut that same year with Federal, a subsidiary of King Records of Cincinnati, backed by Freddie King on guitar.
He then began recording for Twinight Records of Chicago in the mid 1960s. Beginning with his first hit, Come On Sock It to Me in 1967, Johnson dominated the label as both a hitmaker and producer. His song Different Strokes, also from 1967, featured recently on the Ultimate Breaks and Beats breakbeat compilation.
Like other black songwriters of the period, several of his records at this time explored themes of African-American identity and social problems in songs including Is It Because I'm Black, which reached Number 11 in the R&B charts in 1969.
In 1971, Willie Mitchell brought Johnson to Hi Records, for whom he recorded three albums and a number of singles. Produced in Memphis with the Hi house band, these yielded music of power and enduring value, including the hits We Did It, Back for a Taste of Your Love and Take Me to the River, his biggest success, reaching Number 7 on the R&B charts in 1975. However, at Hi Johnson was always to some extent in Al Green's shadow commercially, if not artistically.
After the Hi years ended, Johnson produced two LPs for his own Shama label, the latter of which (Ms. Fine Brown Frame, 1982) was picked up for distribution by Boardwalk Records and produced Johnson's last hit record, the title cut.
Around the mid-eighies, Johnson started a fast-food fish restaurant business, and became semi-retired from performing, only making occasional appearances at blues club gigs.
In 1992, Johnson found out that his classic song "Different Strokes" have been sampled by number of rappers including Wu-Tang Clan, Hammer, and the Ghetto Boys. Stimulated by this fact, he decided to make a come back in the music business. In 1994, he released the album Back in the Game on Delmark Records. The album featured the the Hi rhythm section and his youngest daughter Syleena Johnson.
Blues guitarist and singer Jimmy Johnson, and bassist Mack Thompson, are his brothers.
In the 1950s, Johnson sang and played with blues artists Magic Sam, Billy Boy Arnold, Junior Wells and Howlin' Wolf, before recording with Jimmy Reed for Vee-Jay in 1959. He made his solo debut that same year with Federal, a subsidiary of King Records of Cincinnati, backed by Freddie King on guitar.
He then began recording for Twinight Records of Chicago in the mid 1960s. Beginning with his first hit, Come On Sock It to Me in 1967, Johnson dominated the label as both a hitmaker and producer. His song Different Strokes, also from 1967, featured recently on the Ultimate Breaks and Beats breakbeat compilation.
Like other black songwriters of the period, several of his records at this time explored themes of African-American identity and social problems in songs including Is It Because I'm Black, which reached Number 11 in the R&B charts in 1969.
In 1971, Willie Mitchell brought Johnson to Hi Records, for whom he recorded three albums and a number of singles. Produced in Memphis with the Hi house band, these yielded music of power and enduring value, including the hits We Did It, Back for a Taste of Your Love and Take Me to the River, his biggest success, reaching Number 7 on the R&B charts in 1975. However, at Hi Johnson was always to some extent in Al Green's shadow commercially, if not artistically.
After the Hi years ended, Johnson produced two LPs for his own Shama label, the latter of which (Ms. Fine Brown Frame, 1982) was picked up for distribution by Boardwalk Records and produced Johnson's last hit record, the title cut.
Around the mid-eighies, Johnson started a fast-food fish restaurant business, and became semi-retired from performing, only making occasional appearances at blues club gigs.
In 1992, Johnson found out that his classic song "Different Strokes" have been sampled by number of rappers including Wu-Tang Clan, Hammer, and the Ghetto Boys. Stimulated by this fact, he decided to make a come back in the music business. In 1994, he released the album Back in the Game on Delmark Records. The album featured the the Hi rhythm section and his youngest daughter Syleena Johnson.
Blues guitarist and singer Jimmy Johnson, and bassist Mack Thompson, are his brothers.
Is It Because I'm Black
Syl Johnson Lyrics
Instrumental
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@bobbyhutton3759
😢 syl Johnson, I've known Sylvester Johnson at least 50 years of my life. I'm 82. A black man who understands and feel the deep pain he suffers in this song and in his life. My name is Bobby Hutton I feel your pain and grief with you🙏🥲. Your song is reaching out into the universe I heard you and you will be heard. God bless you Syl and rest in peace.❤
@HectorsHolotropicHouse
Would've been his 87th birthday today ..
Are you the same Bobby Hutton who made the amazing track "Lend A Hand" ?
@krystaleve10
You are a phenomenal artist too! Love you and Syl!!! 20 years later will always be a classic! Both of you are CHICAGO LEGENDS! R.I.P. Mr. Johnson!!🙏🏾
@TheCorinthian9
I'm white and this is one of my favorite songs of all time. It really makes you understand the pain of being hated and treated differently just for what you are. Amazing artist.
@ithajean
Thank you that’s how we get better
@vinceocratic
But you’re ethnic identity is irrelevant. Beauty is beauty.
@michaelhamilton6658
@@vinceocratic its not irrelevant when you listen to the lryics
@jthrillz7288
The song is about black oppression FROM WHITES. It has nothing to do with being hated or treated differently outside its direct context.
@kilgorebeck1376
Hey Systemics there's no such God term as black people white people no language no country nothing... I wish I can perish all the systemic liars, Research the Earth's beginnings , Caucasoid were in caves cowling around like monkies, they where the 1st slaves unlike Melanin whom where kidnapped and held as illegal prisoners .... I love facts ! Idgaf who still slaves themselves out research gives us real God truths, when know better u do better... Bye white boy smh...pale boy
@russellflorence8173
Im 52 year old South African...today is the first time I heard this song...and I'm black...Syl Johnson rocks!!!!!