Yojo

Yolanda Johnson is a Brooklyn, New York native and has been writing since the age of five. Daughter of 1970’s Columbia Recording Artist Samuel Jonathan Johnson whose music was resuscitated by the success of it being sampled on “Jadakiss’s monster hit “We Gon Make It’, she knew early on the effect that music can have. How music can touch a person’s soul, rekindle a relationship or remind them of a memory in the most vivid way. Brought up listening to classic hit makers such as Stevie Wonder, Donnie Hathaway, Al Jarreau, Chaka Khan, and Diana Ross, Yolanda has developed a unique soul sound blended with Jazz, R&B, and Hip Hop.

Yolanda released her first project, Sweet Yesterday in 2002. The singer-songwriter brought a refreshing energy of understated sexuality and social commentary that can only be categorized as soul. Anyone listening to her music will enjoy the freedom and exploration of the soulful rhythms. She followed this success with her second EP Violet Flower. She accompanied this album with live performances filled with captivating good vibes, three amazing background singers and a monstrous five-piece band that reminds you of why you cannot live without music.

Despite being released in 2006, the Violet Flower EP continues to make speakers bloom across the globe. The hit single off the Violet Flower EP, “Individual” was chosen as the 2007 theme song for BET J’s Soul Sessions. The television station and the video show fully embraced Yolanda making her their “2007 Breakout Artist of the Year”. Other gems from the EP were sprinkled across television on shows such as 'Lincoln Heights', 'One Tree Hill' and 'Just Jordon' to name a few.

As an artist of the people Yolanda’s tour stops included the birthplace of the Motown era, Detroit, MI where radio affectionately gave her the nickname YoJo and it stuck! While in the Motor City she was introduced to T3 from Slum Village which led to an amazing collaboration on the track, “Intervention” produced by Grammy award winning producer Symbolyc One (S1) of Kanye West’s “Power”, and Beyonce’s ‘Best Thing I Never Had’ fame to name a few.
‘Intervention’ is a standout track on her first full length project ‘Breathing’. Symbolyc One also mastered the entire project often saying that he’d get lost in listening to Yolanda’s captivating vocals, and vocal arrangements completely forgetting that he was supposed to master the project! Other notable tracks from the album 'Can’t Get You Out Of My Head’ and 'Can’t Fight The Feeling' remain in heavy rotation.

Shortly after 'Breathing' was released Yolanda took a hiatus to focus on her family life popping her head out occasionally to be featured vocally on such musical collaborations as 'Chemistry' on Symbolyc One’s 'Music Box' CD, 'Gotta Move' on Strange Fruit Projects 'A Dreamers Journey', and 'One Of Them Days' on Tony Ozier and the Doo Doo Funk Allstars 'Keep The Funk Alive' CD.

Now back with a vengeance, Yolanda is focused on her new project 'Camille Leon” (Pronounced Chameleon)', ready to show the world that she is not playing games. There will be no hiding, there will be no silencing, she has a lot to say musically, and a lot of ways to say it. Prepare to be blown away by her comeback!

Let me reintroduce you to Yolanda Johnson…YoJo