RIP To Syl Johnson, A True R&B/Soul Music Legend!

YourBlackWorld.net, By Victor Trammell, Posted February 21st 2022

Johnson, noted for being one of music’s most sampled performers, has died at the age of 85.

The legendary vocalist had a major covert impact on rap music. He delivered the R&B vocals to the iconic 1967 hit ‘Different Strokes’ and many more gold and platinum tunes.

Johnson was born in the city of Holly Springs, Mississippi. The R&B cult hero’s family announced on February 6 that he passed away through a statement. So far, no confirmed clarification explaining how Johnson died has been disclosed by his family or local medical examiners.

“It is with extreme sadness that our family announces the passing of Soul & Blues Hall of Fame legend Syl Johnson (born Sylvester Thompson in Holly Springs, MS). Dad, Brother, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Uncle, Friend & Artist, he lived his life as a singer, musician, and entrepreneur who loved black music,” reads the family’s statement.

During the 1960s and 1970s, Johnson built a name for himself in the music industry by recording soul and blues songs for Chicago’s Twinight Records. The modest label released his first album, “Dresses Too Short,” in 1968, which included the song “Different Strokes.” Numerous rap musicians sampled the song. Public Enemy’s mega-hit “Fight the Power,” Wu-Tang Clan’s “Shame on a N***a,” and Eric B. & Rakim’s “I Know You Got Soul” all borrow from Johnson’s late 1960s hit.

According to WhoSampled, more than 300 tracks have been produced using a sample of Johnson’s original composition from ‘Different Strokes.’ According to various news outlets, this makes Syl Johnson’s hit song one of hip-hop’s most influential tracks.

Syl Johnson is the father of Syleena Johnson, a famed singer-songwriter who performed the chorus for Kanye West’s ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Award-winning song “All Falls Down.”

This song was certified as double-platinum by the RIAA.