Jennifer Johns

The hyphy movement is not the only thing that is responsible for putting the Bay Area on the map musically. Funked-out R&B has been the most consistent breadwinner for the Bay Area at least since the days of Tower of Power, Santana, Tony, Toni, Tone, and En Vogue. Recently it has been Raphael Saadiq, Ledisi, Keyshia Cole, Goapele, Nate and Martin Luther who have had people all over the world looking in the direction of northern Cali, which is anchored by the cultural and political hub of Oakland. This is where the 20-something vocalist Jennifer Johns came of age.

Although she is primarily a singer, this versatile vocalist dibbles and dabbles with rapping as well as with dancehall. Jennifer Johns is definitely not a case of an unfocused creative person who can't sit still enough to master one discipline. As can be heard on her unreleased dumbass-slappin' sophmore project "Paintin' on Wax," she is a multi-talented vocal musician in every sense of the word.

As I am writing this, it is only February, and I think and will publicly say, that "Paintin'On Wax" will be by far one of the best put together projects of the year, from the production all the way down to the songwriting, with the added bonuses of collaborations with artists from different rap genres like Kaz Kyzah of the Team, Zumbi of Zion I, and the Spanish-speaking Panama of the rap group Los Rakas to name a few.

I don't say this about many people, but look out for Jennifer Johns, because along with the heavyweights I named in the beginning, she has the talent for us to be talking about her decades from now like we talk about the Isley Brothers, Rick James, Roberta Flack, Donny Hathaway and Prince. Check out my Q & A wit' this future Town (aka Oakland) legend.

M.O.I. JR: Can you tell us a little bit about your new album? What is the name of it and where does the concept come from?

Jennifer: "Painting on Wax" came from a couple things. In interviews ‘bout my last album, I spoke a lot about the process of recording and how it felt - like I was bleeding on wax - and I am a much happier person now, and would rather paint. Also the idea of painting on wax is just an interesting visual.

M.O.I. JR: When did you start recording this dope album? In my opinion the album contains an ‘80s feel, European pop sound, with a little dancehall, and Oakland back packer hip hop vibe with classic Town slump production in the background. Who are your musical influences, and can you explain the feel that you wanted from the album when you first started recording it?

Jennifer: This was a whole other kind of process. This was a very different process for me. I recorded this record over the last two years. I usually like to just lock myself away for a while and see what happens. This was a whole other kind of process.

Musical influences: I loved Sade all my life, every little girl in the ‘80s wanted to be Whitney Houston, Bob Marley, Sizzla, Sting, Jay Z, Mos Def, Lauryn Hill, KRS-1!

The process: I started the record thinking that it was going to be called "Chasing the Sun." I spent a month in the studio non-stop and had what I felt was the record all written. Then there were release delays, and it just didn't feel all the way right after listening to it for a month. Then I signed the deal with Catz Go Round for a record and already had so much done but wanted to fill in spaces with some more danceable tracks.

"Chasing the Sun" was a really diverse body of work but had more of an electronica bend to it. I recorded "Nasty," "Wanting For Love," "Chasing the Sun," "Goody Goody Gum Drop" and "Ghetto International" in my month-long lockout. But anyone who has seen me live knows that I like to move, so I reached out to Amplive, and we did "Move Wit It" and featured Kaz Kyzer from the Team, reached out to DJ Epik and made "Painting on Wax" and then I went to Malaysia and made "Let the Drum Moan" with DJ Uno, who is a part of a really popular rap rock group called Pop Shuvit. DJ Platurn and I did "All for the Love of the DJ" for a project he was doing, but it spoke to my electro industrial bassed out soul, so I had to put it on the album.

M.O.I. JR: I know that Hiero had something to do with this album. How did you hook up with them?
Jennifer: Hiero is helping with international distribution and marketing. Being from the Bay, everyone knows someone from Hiero. I've known Domino forever. Aplus' family is my extended fam.

M.O.I. JR: How would you explain the Bay's post-hyphy sound?

Jennifer: The Bay really means bass. We love bass and will continue to; hyphy just super-sized it. Now that the craze has died down a touch, we will see singers and backpackers fusing that energy into their music. Honestly, I think the longer lasting effects of the movement will be in fashion and dance. The multicolored braids and dreads are going to blend into pop culture more.

M.O.I. JR: Where do you see Jennifer Johns in 10 years?

Jennifer: A very happy mogul/ family woman. I want to executive produce projects for other artists. I want to work in film, television and theater. I know that by then, my dream of having a foundation that helps to give grants to non-profits for their work in artistic after school programs will be in full swing.

M.O.I. JR: When is the album commercially available? And where will you be able to get it?

Jennifer: We will just say it's coming very, very soon. You will be able to get it all over the world!
Jennifer Johns' Birthday Concert will be on Friday, Feb. 22, at 8 p.m. at Maxwell's, 341 13th St. in downtown Oakland. Jennifer will be headlining along with Kev Choice wit' the Kev Choice Ensemble backing both of them up. Advance tickets are $15.

Email POCC Minister of Information JR at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and visit www.blockreportradio.com, hiphopwarreport.com and myspace.com/blockreportfilm.

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