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#35 JAWN'S JUICE / NOVEMBER 19, 2002

Exclusive On Coko of SWV, Syleena Johnson, Lil’ Kim, The Boys, Kirk Whalum, Joe Torry and so much more …
by Jawn Murray (Washington, DC)
Syleena Johnson
(Nov. 19, 2002) All About Syleena: recently I interviewed Jive recording artist Syleena Johnson for an upcoming feature in Smooth magazine. While the 26-year singer sat at home in her beautifully decorated apartment in Chicago, we talked about everything from her upcoming album “Chapter 2: The Voice” to her current relationship with accused child pornographer R. Kelly.

Syleena usually uses her music to convey the joys and sorrows life unfolds, but since she is now going through a messy divorce, she was quite candid about her past relationship, how she’s maintaining without regular intimacy, and what type of attributes her next mate will have to possess. “To this day I don’t know. I don’t know if I even really know what love is. I’ve been in a lot of relationships here and there, and you go through pain and you go through this, and you go through that, but I don’t know if that’s love. What is love? I know I don’t feel the way I feel toward my mother, for a man, and I don’t think I ever have,” said Johnson. The complete interview, and the sexy accompanying photo spread, will be in the Smooth issue on newsstands in December.

I was also with Syleena in Washington, DC a few weeks ago. The statuesque beauty invited me to hang out with her prior to her performance at the Chocolate City hotspot Dream. During our ride from her hotel to the club, we talked about her upcoming release. “[This album] put me in a predicament. It knocked me on my tail,” admitted Johnson. “It showed me that you need to get yourself together. By releasing all of the negative things in my life, I was able to sit, listen, and look at Syleena and figure what it is that she really wants to do. Who’s really in charge here and what’s really important? A lot of the songs have a very spiritual connotation and it seems like I am talking about a man, and I’m really talking about God. I was able to find Him during the midst of this entire whirlwind. I had to start from the bottom again.”

The album’s first single, “Tonight I’m Gonna Let Go,” samples the Busta Rhymes hit “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See,” and features Rhymes and other members of the Flip Mode Squad. The revamped hip-hop track faired pretty well at mainstream urban radio, while many adult contemporary stations began playing the sexy mid-tempo groove “Now That I Got You.” The album’s actual second single, which has already broken into the Top 20 at adult contemporary radio stations, is the infectious male-bashing women’s anthem “Guess What.” It’s certain to be a hit with the ladies.

Syleena’s focus isn’t on radio singles or breaking any records. She’s more focused on continuing the story that she began telling with “Chapter 1: Love, Pain & Forgiveness” and making music that defies trends or fads. “I want this album to be something that they can come back to at anytime,” explained Johnson. “I’m still listening to the Isley Brothers and I want people to listen to me like that too. Like when they are asked questions like, ‘If there were five albums you could take on a deserted island, which would you take?’ I want to be one of those albums,” she concluded.

I don’t know about anybody else, Syleena, but it will definitely be one of the five albums I would take with me on a deserted island. “Chapter 2: The Voice” is soul music at its finest and is a must-have for every music lover to cop when it bows on November 26.

~~~

You Heard It Here First: I must have forgotten to mention in my last column that the reason I attended a shindig on November 2, at the New Jersey estate of SWV member Coko, was because the singer recently got married. That’s right, Cheryl “Coko” Gamble married music producer Mike Clemons of the Clemons Brothers. The two had a private wedding on October 19, where just their mothers and Coko’s son Jazz were in attendance. The R&B; diva also received her 5-carat diamond and platinum wedding ring during the ceremony. Coko and Mike have planned a public wedding for next November. Also, the couple is expecting their first child in March. Coko will be having her second son. Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Mike Clemons!

As far as the couple’s careers go, Coko was recently in the recording studio with her other SWV cohorts in Charlotte, NC working on more new material. I’ve been privy to hear some of the new music, and I must say that it is definitely hot! Mike, who with his brother Nate has produced music for everyone from Tyrese to Mary J. Blige, is also a talented percussionist. He toured with Usher on the Evolution 8701 Tour and is currently in Africa performing with the pop star.

~~~

Star Style: The trend is catching on. The latest stars spotted in the Solstice upscale eyeglasses chain include rapper Lil’ Kim and 80s singer Lisa Lisa. Kim showed up in a stretch limousine and full-length fur coat during a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Short Hills, NJ store with members of her management team. Fans rushed the store as the Atlantic recording artist shopped for designer sunglasses. Kim spent nearly $2,000 on at least 10 pairs of glasses by brands like Gucci, Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana.

The Solstice store on 34th Street in New York City, where celebs like Usher, Mya, and Star Jones frequent, is where former Cult Jam front woman Lisa Lisa decided to shop. The singer spent nearly $2,000 as well on designer shades by Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent and Gucci. She even took time to greet fans and take a few pictures. In other Lisa Lisa news, rumor has it that the Nickelodeon show “Taina,” where the singer plays the conservative mom of the lead character, is in negotiations with UPN to debut on network television.

~~~

All Things Jazz: I recently attended the BWB show at the Warner Theater in Washington, DC with former BET “Heart & Soul” host Dr. Ro. BWB is a collective of musicians (think L.S.G.), which features saxman Kirk Whalum, trumpeter Rick Braun, and guitarist Norman Brown. This supergroup had the fans dancing, grooving, and clapping their hands to such songs as Alicia Keys’ “A Woman’s Worth” and Curtis Mayfield’s “Let’s Do It Again,” both featured on their debut collective “Groovin.” The trio also performed popular hits from their respective individual albums. Forget what you thought about jazz concerts because this show was definitely next-level jazz. Brown, Whalum and Braun even jumped off the stage and danced in the aisles during one portion of the show. The energy was so high that the audience begged for an encore and the group played two additional songs before heading to the lobby to autograph CD’s. The BWB compilation “Groovin” is in stores now.

I caught a live performance by jazz artist Maysa at the beautiful XM Satellite Radio studios last week. The mini-concert was taped to air on several of the XM radio stations. Guests who attended the taping were encouraged to bring can goods to be donated to a women’s organization called The House of Ruth. Maysa performed numerous cuts from her most recent CD “Out Of The Blue” on N-Coded Music. The former Incognito front woman sounded great and the definite highlight of her set was her rendition of the Earth Wind & Fire classic, “Keep Your Head To The Sky.” Special thanks to Aisha White and Karen Taylor of Taylor Made Media.

Saxophonist Michael Lington had an album release party last Tuesday in Washington, DC. The event was sponsored by Saks Fifth Avenue Men’s Store and Esquire magazine to benefit the Whitman-Walker Clinic, a non-profit community-based health organization serving the Washington, D..C. metropolitan area. The 33-year-old Denmark native’s third album, "Everything Must Change," was released October 22 on Three Keys Music. Among those in attendance for the event were BET’s Michael Lewellen and jazz artist Marcus Johnson.

~~~

Boys No More: I inquired a few weeks ago about whatever happened to former R&B; group The Boys and many of you replied. Apparently, the former Motown sibling quartet is “boys” no more. In 1994, The Boys (Khiry, Hakim, Tajh and Bilal) decided to take a sabbatical from recording. They decided to visit Africa because they really felt connected to the country after previous visits. They began studying the practice of yoga and martial arts. During their voyage to Africa, they began to record music again, but not for commercial recognition. They came back to the U.S. after that trip to Africa and decided that they wanted to eventually move to Africa. In 1998 a friend of the groups organized a trip to Gambia, West Africa and The Boys decided to go along. They took some music equipment with them and told their father that if they thought they could survive, they would stay. They have resided in Africa ever since. They are now known as the Suns of Light, and continue to write and produce music in a studio that they opened in Africa. To learn more about the group that once made it big with songs like “Dial My Heart” and “Crazy, and to see how they look now, visit them online at www.SunsOfLightName.8k.com.

~~~

Things That Make You Say Hmm?: Two white Americans named Sally and Johnny have launched a site called BlackPeopleLoveUs.com. “We're just regular, normal people—just like you! We grew up in your average neighborhoods doing the usual things that all people do: swimming, golf, horseback riding, arts and crafts, gardening, building tree houses, mowing the lawn, selling lemonade, etc.,” they write. The site also includes many pictures of Sally and Johnny partying with their numerous Black friends and quotes from their Black friends about them. This has got to be one the funniest websites I have ever visited. You have to experience it for yourself to understand.

~~~

Can’t Say Names: What Hollywood actress was recently dropped by her personal manager, attorney, publicist and business manager? Said actress hasn’t had a hit movie in years and her weekend TV gig was recently canned. * What soul-singing-sistah with a sophomore album dropping before Christmas is apparently dating a BET personality? Said singer supposedly met the TV talent during an awards event this fall and have being “getting acquainted” ever since. Look for him to be featured in the upcoming music video to accompany her next single.

~~~

Quickies:

~ Condolences go out to actress Wendy Raquel Robinson (“Cedric the Entertainer Presents”). Not only did the Hollywood actress suffer the loss of her “Steve Harvey Show” costar Merlin Santana on November 9, but also the co-founder of her Amazing Grace Conservatory, actor Tracy Coley, died on November 9 due to complications from a surgery. Please keep Wendy and the families of both victims in your prayers.

~ Congratulations to both R&B; star Ginuwine and comedian Joe Torry on the birth of their new children. Ginuwine and rapper Sole recently had a daughter named Dream. The couple’s first child together is named Story. Torry’s wife recently gave birth to a bouncing baby boy named Joe Torry Jr.

~ K-Ci, of K-Ci & JoJo and Jodeci fame, surprised the National Church of God In Christ Convention in Memphis, TN by performing with gospel quartet The Christianaires. Those in attendance say the R&B; singer seemed quite comfortable performing gospel music and onlookers were glad that he kept his peek-a-boo-penis under subjection. (Remember the trouble he got into at the Christmas concert in Los Angeles last year?)

~ Rapper Talib Kweli’s new release “Quality,” on Rawkus Records, is in stores this week. Kweli received rave reviews on his solo debut from Vibe magazine – which gave the rapper a 4 ½ out of 5 rating -- and The Source -- which gave the positive lyricist a 4 out of 5 rating. The album’s lead single, “Waitin’ For The DJ,” features soulster Bilal.

~ I recently spotted boxer Riddick Bowe sitting outside of the Nordstrom’s department store at Tyson’s Corner Galleria Mall in McLean, VA. Bowe was sitting at the Espresso Bar with some friends and family.

~ Thanks to Arch Wireless for providing my paging service. For more information on Arch Wireless, visit their website at Arch.com or call 888-534-1397.

~ They have dressed Free from “106th & Park,” Ruff Ryder's deejay Swizz Beats, Jaheim, and even lil’ old me. A special thanks to Aja Imani for keeping me looking good. Aja Imani is located at 9244 East Hampton Drive, Suite #622, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. Contact them at 301-324-8300 or e-mail them at ajaimani@aol.com.

Well I’m Jawn and that’s your Juice! See you next week!

E-mail: GarekNews@hotmail.com

© 2002 Jawn’s Juice. All rights reserved worldwide. All information provided by Jawn’s Juice on this Internet site is for personal use only. No commercial exploitation of anything contained herein may take place without prior written permission from the column’s author Jawn Murray. Material contained herein may not be re-sold, loaned, hired, exchanged, bartered or in any other way re-distributed in any other manner whatsoever.

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