Talk Show Tune: Maury Povich Inspires New Syleena Johnson Song

Grammy-nominated R&B singer Syleena Johnson has been one of the genre's best kept secrets since her debut in 2001.

Eight years later, the Harvey, Ill.-bred is back with a new CD, 'Chapter 4: Labor Pains' on her very own label, Aneelys Records.

"Its scary and confusing," Johnson said of being a businesswoman. "But it's liberating and rewarding at the same time! I feel powerfully-afraid, if that makes sense."

During her tenure on Jive Records, where the 32-year-old songstress released three albums – 2001's 'Chapter 1: Love, Pain & Forgiveness,' 2002's 'Chapter 2: The Voice' and 2005's 'Chapter 3: The Flesh' – Johnson seemed to go unnoticed while the record company focused their emphasis on her label mates Britney Spears, N'Sync and Ciara.

Regardless, the daughter of Blues singer Syl Johnson continued to earn a following with hit records like 'I Am Your Woman' featuring R. Kelly, 'Guess What,' 'Another Relationship' and her collaboration with Kanye West, 'All Falls Down.'

In 2007, Johnson got married for a second time to i

nternational basketball star Kiwane Garris, who shoots hoops in the Italian league for the Premiata Montegranaro.

On August 2, 2007, Johnson gave birth to a son named Kiwane Garris, Jr., who came after 44-hours of labor pains and inspired the title of her current CD.

It was during this time off from the industry that Johnson was motivated to begin writing songs for her latest release, 'Chapter 4: Labor Pains.'

One track in particular, 'Maury Povich' was written by Johnson after the show became her guilty pleasure.

Unbeknownst to her then, the talk show host himself would fall in love with the song and invite her on the show to sing it live.

"Maury Povich's producer said he played the song over and over again in his office for days when they received it," said Johnson.

She flew to New York City in February to tape her appearance on the show, which aired on Thursday Feb. 12.

"The best part was his face when I sang it and the fact that he was so honored! I was honored that he was honored! It was an awesome experience," she shared, before adding: "I was so proud because I wrote it, all by myself."

The popularity of the tune, which deals with baby momma drama synonymous with topics from the long-running talk show, has folks wondering if it will be the next single from CD.

"I am not sure that it will be the next single but it sure is looking that way," Johnson offered. "We have some things in store that we are working on to support that if that is what we decide so we will just have to see. I don't want to say it and then it doesn't happen."

In the meantime, the proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. is trying to find the balance between professional endeavors and domestic life.

"Balancing is ridiculous! Nonstop movement all day. I don't get a moments rest," she confessed. "It's exhausting 'cause my baby doesn't go into daycare. Only the gym daycare, which is only an hour or so. But he is with me pretty much 16 hours a day, seven days a week unless he is at his grandma's house on the

weekend sometimes. He consumes my life, so trying to do everything else is very difficult. But he is worth it and I am trying. I miss my husband all the time. He is the missing link to my life. I get pretty sad at times but God keeps me company. You know the saying, 'You may be by yourself, but you're never alone!"

If you're wondering what Johnson's next installment to her CD series will be called, the singer admitted that it may be a long time before we get a fifth chapter.

"'Chapter 5' won't be around for a while. The next album will veer from chapters. I have the title but it's a secret and it's going to go a whole new direction. But the chapters will pick up later. They won't go until I retire," she concluded.

*****

VIDEO: Watch Syleena Johnson perform on the 'Maury Show' below.

Black Music Notes Mar. 19

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3/19/09: The Miracles
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3/19/09: Chester Gregory
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3/19/09: Earth, Wind & Fire
Iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group Earth, Wind & Fire is set to hit the road this summer for a 30-city tour beginning June 5 in Orange Beach, AL. In addition to Maurice White and company gracing the stage will be pop-rock band Chicago, which will perform a full show before joining for a final set together, according to Billboard. The tour will conclude on Aug. 1 in Lake Tahoe, NV.

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3/19/09: Kim Burrell
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