R&B's best kept secret is finally out. Another chapter in Syleena Johnson's book has been written. This time, it is more than recording an album. After amicably leaving an eight-year record deal with Jive Records in 2006, Syleena has launched her own label, Aneelys Records (Syleena spelled backwards). This opportunity comes by way of a label deal with Federal/Universal Music Group.
Syleena previously worked with countless artists and producers such as R. Kelly, Bob Power, Kay Gee, Busta Rhymes, Cam' Ron, Common, Jermaine Dupri, and Twista. Kanye West blessed her with his production on "Bulls-Eye (Suddenly)," from Chapter 3: The Flesh. Syleena proved to be Kayne's saving grace as she provided last minute vocals on the hit, "All Falls Down," which led to a Grammy nomination for both artists.
Artists often fall by the wayside and are rarely heard after leaving a major record label. But, Syleena didn't allow her split with Jive Records to rip out any pages from her next chapter. She simply took matters into her own hands and decided to go the independent route. With her label, Syleena will finally see the benefits of all her hard work, whether it be working on a personal project or signing other acts. She will finally have the creative control and power to see things through and plan out her career as she sees fit.
With this control, Syleena will give birth to her newest release, Chapter 4: Labor Pains, due January 13, 2009. Along with running her own label and being an artist, Syleena has also become a wife and mother within the past year. "My husband is an excellent man, I couldn't ask for a better one and my son is my best work yet," Syleena says. Naturally, this experience lent a hand in Syleena writing Chapter 4: Labor Pains, as she describes the pain of having a baby as the worst pain in life, but rewarding in the end. Syleena shadows her life on the principle that you reap what you sow "Nothing good comes easy. All the struggle, strife, work and pain we go through, that's the price you have to pay to reap the benefits in the end," Syleena expresses.
As always, Syleena speaks on behalf of a woman's struggles. But, she leads off on a lighter note with her first single from, Chapter 4: Labor Pains, "It Is True." She sings a heavenly love ballad about new found, true love with her husband and the product of that love. "It is everything I felt about my husband when we first met, and now the love of my son follows suit," Syleena swoons. There's no denying that Syleena is passionately in love as she angelically sings "over and over again, in my dreams and in my head, I'm imagining you all in my future, us continuing through 'til we get older, and I swear that I've never met, a boy like you, a true soldier, my knight in shining armor, you saved me boy, you bring me joy and that's how I know it's true."
The buzz continues and the drama unfolds in Chapter 4: Labor Pains, as Syleena displays her songwriting and storytelling skills in "Shoo Fly," an alternative tale of baby mama drama. The story comes from the point of view of a woman with a man who has a baby mama and what that woman goes through when the baby mama wants him back all the while using the child as leverage. In the chorus Syleena sings, "so shoo fly he's mine, for the last time, don't make me say it no more, damn girl to move on, be gone, so long, get gone." This is a different angle giving the woman's perspective on baby mama drama. Other notable tracks on Chapter 4: Labor Pains are "Labor Pains," the title track which is dedicated to women and sisterhood, "My First," a grown and sexy song about a man who is the first to actually give good love and affection, and "Personal Trainer," a song about the mental stimulus of physical attraction.
While dealing with real issues, Syleena never strays away from God in her music. This signature approach is what makes her unique as she shows how God applies to every aspect of life. She tells the passionate, hard truth with a voice and spirit which has been anointed by God and speaks directly to the mind and spirit of women. "I always come from a spiritual view as a Christian woman in the real world, the here and now, the issues we as women have to deal with," Syleena testifies.
Chapter 1: Love, Pain, & Forgiveness, was the beginning of how God established a relationship and peace within Syleena. He then gave her the Garden of Eden in Chapter 2: The Voice. But she disobeyed Him and ate the forbidden fruit in Chapter 3: The Flesh. Now Syleena must pay the price, which is Chapter 4: Labor Pains. Biblically, labor pains are a woman's curse, but Syleena takes it all as a blessing. "At the end, I want people to feel uplifted and motivated, that's my goal. Not to just motivate people, but myself in the process," Syleena professes. Be prepared for the experience of Chapter 4: Labor Pains.
Despite releasing four albums, Syleena is more than a singer. She caught the acting bug and showed off her multi-dimensional talent by playing a significant role in Eric Jerome Dickey's Cheater's-The Stage Play in 2005. She also added modeling to her many talents as she modeled for Ashley Stewart after signing with Wilhelmina modeling agency as a plus-size model.
Johnson released her new album, "Chapter 5: Underrated" on September 27, 2011, which features Toxic (the producer behind Keyshia Cole & Monica's "Trust", as well as much of Twista's work number) and a number of other high-profile producers and artists. The albums' lead single titled "A Boss" was released on June 21, 2011.
Is It Because I'm Black
Syleena Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Only adds color to my tears
That splash against my hollow bones
That rocks my soul
Looking back at my false dreams that I once knew
Wondering why all my dreams never came true
Oh, is it because I'm black?
Somebody tell me, what can I do
I wonder, is it because I'm black uh huh
In this world of no pity
I was raised in the ghetto city
You said, momma, she worked so hard
To earn every penny
Oh, Lord, something's holding me back
Is it because I'm black?
Like a child stealing his first piece of candy, and got caught
Thieving around life's corner somewhere I got lost
Oh, something's holding me back
I wonder, is it because I'm black?
Somebody tell me what can I do
Will I survive, or will I die?
Oh, it keeps on holding me back
Is it because I'm black?
The dark-brown shades of my skin
Only adds color to my tears
That splash against my hollow bone
That rocks my soul, oh, Lord!
Looking back at my false dreams that I once knew
Wondering why all my dreams never came true
Is it because I'm black?
Somebody tell me, what can I do?
Oh, something's holding me back
Is it because I'm black?
Oh, something's holding me back
I wonder, is it because I'm black?
Oh, something's holding me back
I wonder, is it because I'm black?
Oh, something's holding me back
Is it because I'm black?
Oh, it keeps on holding me back
Is it because I'm black?
The dark-brown shades of my skin
Only adds color to my tears
That splash against my hollow bones
That rocks my soul
Looking back at my false dreams that I once knew
Wondering why all my dreams never came true
Is it because I'm black?
Somebody tell me, what can I do?
Oh, something's holding me back
Is it because I'm black?
The song "Is It Because I'm Black" by Syleena Johnson speaks to the experience of being held back and oppressed due to the color of one's skin. The dark-brown shade of the singer's skin only adds color to their tears, highlighting the pain and struggle that they face. They reflect on their dreams that never came true, wondering if it's because of their race.
The singer alludes to growing up in poverty and facing hardship in the "ghetto city." They question what is holding them back and ask if it's because they are black. They compare themselves to a child who was caught stealing, suggesting that they have been punished unjustly for something they cannot change.
The repetition of "something's holding me back, I wonder if it's because I'm black" emphasizes the frustration and helplessness felt by the singer. They are looking for answers and a way to move forward, but their race seems to be a barrier.
Overall, the song is a powerful reflection on the systemic racism and oppression faced by black people. It highlights the emotional toll of this oppression and the persistent struggle that many face.
Line by Line Meaning
The dark-brown shade of my skin
My skin color is dark-brown
Only adds color to my tears
My tears are colored because of my dark-brown skin
That splash against my hollow bones
My tears fall on my hollow bones
That rocks my soul
My crying affects my soul
Looking back at my false dreams that I once knew
I reflect on the dreams that I thought were real
Wondering why all my dreams never came true
I am questioning why my dreams never became a reality
Oh, is it because I'm black?
I am questioning if the reason my dreams did not come true was because of my race
Somebody tell me, what can I do
I am asking for advice on what I can do
Oh, something's holding me back
I feel like something is impeding me from achieving my goals
I wonder, is it because I'm black uh huh
I am questioning if my race is the reason why I am being held back
In this world of no pity
I am living in a world without any sympathy for my struggles
I was raised in the ghetto city
I was raised in an impoverished area
You said, momma, she worked so hard
My mother worked tirelessly
To earn every penny
To earn every bit of money she could
Oh, Lord, something's holding me back
I feel like something is stopping me from reaching my potential
Like a child stealing his first piece of candy, and got caught
I feel like I got caught doing something wrong
Thieving around life's corner somewhere I got lost
I made a bad decision somewhere along the way
Will I survive, or will I die?
I am questioning whether I will overcome my struggles or not
Oh, it keeps on holding me back
I feel like the thing that is impeding me is not going away
Oh, something's holding me back
I still feel like something is holding me back
Is it because I'm black?
I am still questioning if my race is the reason why I am struggling
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB.
Written by: Glenn Watts, Jimmy Jones, Syl Johnson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind