(March 25, 2024) Syleena Johnson achieves two things with her new song “Black Balloon”: The tune’s message, which compares Black people to a balloon that overcomes the forces of gravity to rise, is the kind of inspirational message that old and young can never hear enough.
The mid-tempo bouncy funk of the percussion and bass line, along with the bluesy guitar riffs, will make listeners want to do more than just sit back. That melody will make listeners engage in Chicago’s contribution to the ballroom dancing, stepping.
“Black Balloon” not only serves as an acknowledgement of Black resilience and Black joy, but the tune also stands as an homage to her Dad, the late soul singer Syl Johnson. Syl Johnson released a song by the same title in 1969 and his daughter inserted vocals from that cut into her original song, giving listeners a chance to Syleena and Syl Johnson sing together.
The elder Johnson was a soul singer who was not afraid to use his music to ask pointed questions and issue searing critiques of America. His song “Is It Because I’m Black” stands as one of the great protest songs of the soul music era, and hearing that powerful baritone on Syleena Johnson’s stepper’s anthem adds poignancy to this inspirational tune.
By Howard Dukes
Syleena Johnson – “Black Balloon”
