Originally from Chicago, the singer notably made an impression with his song Is It Because I’m Black?, released in 1970.
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The Marseillais from IAM had resumed their I Hate I Walked Away in their famous She gives her body before her name. The American Syl Johnson, legend of soul and blues whose productions had been taken over by the biggest names in rap, died at the age of 85, announced Sunday February 6 his family and his label. Originally from Chicago, the singer had notably marked the spirits with his piece Is It Because I’m Black?released in 1970.
It is, however, the piece Different strokesreleased three years earlier, which earned Syl Johnson the nickname “most sampled artist of all time”reports RollingStone (article in English). Excerpts from this title have indeed been used on several occasions by artists of the hip-hop movement, including prestigious names such as Public Enemy (in the famous Fight The Power), Kanye West and Jay-Z (in The Joy), or the Wu-Tang Clan (in Shame on a nigga).
Syl Johnson, however, did not make a fortune from this song, and had to claim his due against the rappers of Cypress Hill, and conclude a financial arrangement with Kanye West and Jay-Z in 2012 for the use of his music. , tell again RollingStone. In its press release, the family of Syl Johnson saluted the memory of a “a fiery and fierce fighter, who always stood for the pursuit of justice as part of his music and sound, he will be truly missed by all who crossed his path”.