Name: Is It Because I'm Black
Brand: Syl Johnson

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

JR008lp

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

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Format Music US

Limited edition

Release date

2013-02-26

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier US

Secre­tly

Tax rate US

Sales:8.875

UPC / Barcode

825764600811

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Total Cap

Artist

Syl Johnson

Genre US

Funk / Soul

Label US

Numero Group

Syl Johnson was an American funk/soul/blues singer and music producer. He began his career in the 1950s, singing and playing with blues artists such as Magic Sam, Billy Boy Arnold, Junior Wells, and Howlin' Wolf. In 1959, he made his solo debut with Federal Records backed by Freddie King on guitar. Johnson then went on to record for Twinight Records in the mid-1960s where he had several hits including "Come On Sock It to Me" in 1967.
During this time, Johnson explored themes of African-American identity and social problems in songs like "Is It Because I'm Black," which reached Number 11 on the R&B charts in 1969. In 1971, he signed with Hi Records and recorded three albums and a number of singles produced by Willie Mitchell. Hits like "We Did It," "Back for a Taste of Your Love," and "Take Me to the River" solidified his success.
After leaving Hi Records, Johnson started his own label called Shama and released two LPs including the hit record "Ms. Fine Brown Frame." In the mid-1980s, he became semi-retired from performing after starting a fast-food fish restaurant business. However, inspired by discovering that his song "Different Strokes" had been sampled by various rappers including Wu-Tang Clan and MC Hammer, Johnson made a comeback in 1994

coming hot on the heels of his first full length, the self-proclaimed 'most sampled artist of all time,' released the groundbreaking black concept lp 'is it because i'm black (a full 13 months before marvin gaye's what's going on). throwing away the notion of a sophomore jinx, syl delivered this politically charged document. issued on 150gram vinyl and housed in a tip-on jacket.

Is It Because I'm Black

Music US