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.
Where's The Love
Syleena Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can get money
You can have power
Yea, but where is the love'
(You can get money, money can't buy love)
You can get money
You can have power
(money, power)
Money, power, respect
More ice than an Eskimo
Big crib, a C.E.O.
White Range on 44's
But no love to call your own (Hey)
You can get money
But what is it to gain a world
You can buy material things
When the greatest gift of all is love
You can get money
You can have power
Yea, but where is the love'
(You can get money, money can't buy love)
You can get money
You can have power
Yea, but where is the love'
(money, power)
Money, power, respect
Bright lights, fancy clothes,
Front row at fashion shows
First class and limousines
But what does it really mean (Hey)
You can get money
But what is it to gain a world
You can buy material things
When the greatest gift of all is love
You can get money
You can have power
Yea, but where is the love'
(You can get money, money can't buy love)
You can get money
You can have power
Yea, but where is the love'
(money, power)
Money, power, respect
You know that's real talk for ya
Yea
Teefa!
ha ha ha what up ma
lets sho 'em how Chicago do
Fo' Sho
Let's Go
He can provide for ya
?
Shops spend every quarter, nickle, dime on ya (yea)
He on the grind no time for ya
Benz dealership he'll cosign for ya
Drop the down payment the house & the games
This ain't love
This a business arrangement
Shit!
He wanna touch me, hold me
Keep me on display like I'm a trophy
They say diamonds a girls best homie
Dude won't even talk and try to get to know me
But if he did he'll realize
I don't really give a shit
He can keep the money and the crib, dig!
It's like a good job, where the salary is the shit
But you hate the gig
If it's no love it's bogus
Matter fact I quit
Fuck a two week notice
Ha ha
You can get money
You can have power
Yea, but where is the love'
(You can get money, money can't buy love)
You can get money
You can have power
Yea, but where is the love'
(money, power)
Money, power, respect
In "Where's the Love," Syleena Johnson and Teefa question the value of wealth, power, and success when they do not come with love. The chorus repeats the lines "You can get money, you can have power, yeah / But where is the love?" With each verse, the artists describe various trappings of material success, including money, ice (jewelry), a big house, designer clothes, and front-row seats at fashion shows. However, they ultimately argue that these things are empty without love. In the third verse, Teefa raps from the perspective of a woman who has been financially supported by a man but is unhappy because there is no love in the relationship.
The song's message reflects the broader theme of Syleena Johnson's 2002 album "Chapter 2: The Voice," which focuses on love, heartbreak, and self-love. "Where's the Love" was also released as a single that year and peaked at number 36 on the US R&B/Hip-Hop chart.
Line by Line Meaning
You can get money
Money is obtainable
You can have power
Power is attainable
Yea, but where is the love'
However, love cannot be bought
(You can get money, money can't buy love)
Having money does not equal having love
Money, power, respect
Valuable assets that are not equivalent to love
More ice than an Eskimo
Owning an excessive amount of expensive jewelry
Big crib, a C.E.O.
Living in a large, luxurious home and holding a high position in a company
White Range on 44's
Driving a white Range Rover with large rims
But no love to call your own (Hey)
Despite having many possessions, there is a lack of love in one's life
But what is it to gain a world
What's the point of acquiring everything in the world
You can buy material things
It's possible to purchase items made of matter
When the greatest gift of all is love
Love is more valuable than anything one can buy
Bright lights, fancy clothes,
Being surrounded by glamourous things
Front row at fashion shows
Sitting in the front row of fashion shows
First class and limousines
Traveling in luxurious seats and limousines
But what does it really mean (Hey)
Despite appearances, what is the actual meaning behind it all
He can provide for ya
A man can financially support you
Shops spend every quarter, nickle, dime on ya (yea)
A man buys everything for you, spending all his money
He on the grind no time for ya
The man is always working and has no time for you
Benz dealership he'll cosign for ya
The man will co-sign for you to get a Mercedes Benz
Drop the down payment the house & the games
He is willing to pay the initial fees on a house and other things
This ain't love
Such actions do not equate to love
This a business arrangement
This is a transaction between two parties
He wanna touch me, hold me
He wants physical intimacy
Keep me on display like I'm a trophy
He wants to show you off like a trophy
They say diamonds a girls best homie
People believe diamonds are very valuable to women
Dude won't even talk and try to get to know me
The man does not speak to her or try to understand her
But if he did he'll realize
If he made an effort to communicate, he would find out
I don't really give a shit
She does not care
He can keep the money and the crib, dig!
He can keep his possessions
It's like a good job, where the salary is the shit
It's like having a well-paying job
But you hate the gig
But you hate the work
If it's no love it's bogus
Without love, it is not worth it
Matter fact I quit
In fact, I quit
Fuck a two week notice
She does not care enough to give a proper notice
Ha ha
Laughter
You know that's real talk for ya
You know that is frank speech for you
Teefa!
Introducing Teefa
ha ha ha what up ma
Laughter, followed by greeting
lets sho 'em how Chicago do
Let's show them how we do it in Chicago
Fo' Sho
For sure
Let's Go
Let's begin
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JESSE WOODS JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Aundre'a Jordan
I love this song and she reminds me of aaliyah a lil bit :)