Ranking the Best Syleena Johnson Albums

March is Women’s History Month, so there’s no better time to shout out possibly the most underrated woman in R&B today.

Hey, Underrated and Woman. You’ll catch that reference later one.

Syleena Johnson is the product of Black history. Her father Syl Johnson is a renowned blues singer and her mother Brenda Thompson was the first Black female police commissioner of Harvey, Illinois. A product of that household has no option but to be great.

And she’s quietly lived up to that legacy, spending two decades releasing projects that often fly under the radar but resonate strongly for the listeners who experience them. She’s long be a voice for Black women in both song and activism, so let’s return that love today by ranking all of her solo studio LPs. For now, we’re excluding her demos, collab projects, EPs and compilations.

If you missed any of these albums, catch up. She’s been R&B’s best kept secret for too long.

8. Chapter 4: Labor Pains (2009)

Soul in Stereo rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

Edd said: For some reason this album isn’t on streaming but lucky for y’all, I still have my original CD. I keep telling y’all, #BuyPhysicalMedia! Labor Pains is the first slight dip in quality following the impressive three-album run that preceded it. As always, Syleena is at her best when she’s embraces her authenticity – like when she dismisses industry politics on “Be Me.” But overall the writing and production just isn’t as strong as her usual releases. Somebody needs to put this back on streaming, though, it has its moments.

Forgotten favorites: “Be Me,” “Shoo Fly,” “Go Home”

7. Woman (2020)

Soul in Stereo rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

Edd said: Syleena is a prophet. Her final LP to date dropped in early 2020, a couple of months before everything went nuts. She knew what the world would need – the album’s themes of perseverance would be sorely needed as the year rolled on. Woman is a masterclass in soul, both in writing and performance, but lacks the high points of her greater works. Syleena has always been a voice for womanhood, and it still rings strong here. BTW, I wore “Freelance Lover” OUT during those pandemic days. That song still gives me chills.

Forgotten favorites: “Freelance Lover,” “Home,” “Come Inside My House”

6. Rebirth of Soul (2017)

Soul in Stereo rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

Edd said: I’m sure this album means a lot to Syleena. Produced by her late father and soul titan Syl Johnson, the album features Syleena putting her spin on a selection of classics from the 60 and 70s. Cover albums are very tricky – not only is an artist forced to measure up to the lofty legacy of these classic songs, but they also have to put their own spin on the record. Luckily Syleena’s vocals are built for the task.The biggest standout is the rendition of her dad’s “Is It Because I’m Black” but her version of Curtis Mayfield’s “The Makings of You” soars as well. No, the covers don’t beat the originals but Syleena does them justice.

Forgotten favorites: “Is It Because I’m Black,” “There’ll Come a Time,” “The Makings of You”

5. Chapter 5: Underrated (2011)

Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: I can’t think of a better title than this one. On her fifth album, Syleena embraces her role as R&B’s most underrated songstress and attempts to shatter the glass ceiling. The synthy early 2010s production on the album’s first couple of tracks doesn’t age the best but when she goes back to basics – those biting yet soulful critiques on love and relationships – things get really good really quickly. Naturally, this is a very underrated release.

Forgotten favorites: “Like Thorns,” “My Shoes,” “The Champ”

4. Chapter 1: Love, Pain & Forgiveness (2001)

Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: Syleena’s breakout single “I Am Your Woman” would set the stage for the next 20 years of her career. “I don’t love you enough to hate you/But yet I love you too much to leave” – lyrics like that show the complex nature of womanhood. That song may have a complicated legacy now, but that shouldn’t tarnish the power of its message. The album follows in that same vein, resulting in a very strong and distinct introduction for her career. The bluesy tone and heavy themes might be tough for some to digest, but Syleena’s strength and passion are undeniable.

Forgotten favorites: “You Said,” “Ain’t No Love,” “All of Me”

3. Chapter 6: Couple’s Therapy (2014)

Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: This one is strictly for the couples. Syleena has always enjoyed at strong catalog but there’s something about her 2014 album that signified a huge creative comeback. The album’s concept is a winner – Syleena uses the personal experiences outlined in her songs to serve as a relationship expert for her listeners. She sounds so energized here, resulting in arguably her most cohesive and consistent album to date. It always amazes me when an artist can come back so strong in the latter days of their career. Syleena nailed it here.

Forgotten favorites: “Boom,” “Heaven & Hell,” “I Cut My Hair”

2. Chapter 2: The Voice (2002)

Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: All that sophomore jinx stuff? Syleena ain’t trying to hear it. Chapter 2 expands on everything that made her debut great. Not only is it home to “Guess What,” still her most successful single to date, but it represents widespread growth in her sound. While her debut mostly stayed within the confines of her bluesy roots, she widens her scope, embracing more mainstream R&B sounds while dabbling into hip-hop. She even dragged the whole Flipmode Squad to the party! Chapter 2 proved that Syleena was here to stay.

Forgotten favorites: “I’m Gon Cry,” “I Believe in Love,” “Joined at the Hip”

1. Chapter 3: The Flesh (2005)

Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: If the title and album cover didn’t tell you, trust me, we’re getting sexy with this one. Syleena is always willing to evolve and Chapter 3 takes the strengths of her previous two albums – the soul of her debut and the energy of her sophomore set – to create the steamiest project of her career. Things really kick into overdrive on the second half of the album, which is a rapid-fire selection of sultry slow jams. It’s also home to her best song ever, “Another Relationship.” Syleena has more than a few great albums, but this one tops them all.

Forgotten favorites: “Another Relationship,” “Bulls-Eye (Suddenly),” “Slowly”

What’s your favorite Syleena Johnson project? Let us know in the comments.