Romeo Johnson is an American singer-songwriter, composer, and vocal coach. A

Chattanooga, Tennessee Chattanooga ( ) is a city in Hamilton County, Tennessee, United States, and its county seat. It is located along the Tennessee River and borders Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the south. With a population of 181,099 in 2020, it is Tennessee ...

native, Johnson attended Brainerd High School, for Music Theory, Conducting/Arranging, and Stage Band. He later attended

The University of Tennessee The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (or The University of Tennessee; UT; UT Knoxville; or colloquially UTK or Tennessee) is a public land-grant research university in Knoxville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1794, two years before Te ...

, and studied Theater, Voice, and Dance.

Television

In 2009, Johnson could be seen in two reality TV shows on

MTV MTV (an initialism of Music Television) is an American cable television television channel, channel and the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group sub-division of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global. Launched on ...

as the Vocal Director and Personal Vocal Coach for Sean P. Diddy Combs in "Making His Band" and the Vocal Coach and background section leader on P. Diddy's "StarMaker". Johnson helped select and vocally train Diddy's 14 aspiring singers over the course of 10 weeks. On October 26, 2009, the day after the winner was chosen, new artist for Bad Boy Records, Liz Davis stated that Johnson "had the best techniques".

Live performances

Johnson began his touring career with

Vesta Williams Mary Vesta Williams (December 1, 1957 – September 22, 2011) was an American singer-songwriter, who performed across genres such as soul music, soul, funk, R&B, Quiet storm, jazz soul and Urban Contemporary. Originally credited as Vesta Williams ...

, later Johnson became a background vocalist and dancer for

Jody Watley Jody Vanessa Watley (born January 30, 1959) is an American singer, songwriter and producer whose music crosses genres including pop, R&B, jazz, dance and electronic soul.Paoletta, Michael (February 22, 2003) "Watley Relaxes In The Setting of The ...

. He also played bass guitar and bass synthesizer for

Sheena Easton Sheena Shirley Easton (; born 27 April 1959) is a Scottish singer and actress who achieved recognition in an episode of the reality television series ''The Big Time (TV series), The Big Time: Pop Singer'', which recorded her attempts to gain a ...

. Johnson also toured with

Millie Jackson Mildred Virginia Jackson (born July 15, 1944) is an American R&B and soul recording artist. Beginning her career in the early 1960s, three of Jackson's albums have been certified gold by the RIAA for over 500,000 copies sold. Jackson's songs o ...

Rahsaan Patterson Rahsaan Patterson (born January 11, 1974) is an American singer and actor, best known for portraying "The Kid" on the 1980s television show ''Kids Incorporated.'' Career 1984: ''Kids Incorporated'' After appearing in a school talent show in 1984 ...

Rufus Rufus is a masculine given name, a surname, an Ancient Roman cognomen and a nickname (from Latin ''wikt:rufus, rufus'', "red"). Notable people with the name include: Given name Politicians * Marcus Caelius Rufus, (28 May 82 BC – after 48 ...

Teddy Riley Edward Theodore Riley (born October 8, 1967) is an American record producer, singer, and songwriter credited with the creation of the R&B and hip-hop fusion genre, new jack swing. Musical artists who utilized Riley's production and songwri ...

& GUY (section leader/background vocalist), Blackstreet,

Patti Austin Patti Austin (born August 10, 1950) is an American Grammy Award-winning R&B, pop, and jazz singer and songwriter best known for " Baby, Come to Me", her 1982 duet with James Ingram, which topped the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 after its re-release ...

, and

Michael Jackson Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. Dubbed the "King of Pop", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Michael Jackson, one of the most culturally significan ...

. In 1993, Johnson sang background vocals with Stacy Campbell and Lisa Taylor for

Janet Jackson Janet Damita Jo Jackson (born May 16, 1966) is an American singer, songwriter, actress and dancer. She is noted for her innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows. Her sound and choreogr ...

for her second worldwide tour. In 2007-2008, Johnson was a vocalist and background section leader for

Queen Latifah Dana Elaine Owens (born March 18, 1970), known professionally by her stage name Queen Latifah, is an American rapper, singer, and actress. She has received various accolades, including a Grammy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe ...

. His performance was mentioned by the Santa Barbara Review in an article written on November 24, 2007 by Charles Donelan stating "In this setting, early Mary J. Blige counts as a classic, and it was her song "Real Love" that provided the night's high point, an amazing succession of vocal performances by Latifah, her two female backup singers, and a wonderful musician and rip-roaring male vocalist who goes by Romeo." In between touring, Johnson worked as a session vocalist on sound recordings with Kanye West's 808's & Heartbreak "Say You Will", Ice Cube for the CD, ''Essentials'' as a background vocalist, Snoop Dogg "Ego Trippin" and "Can't Say Goodbye", Stevie Wonder "Don't Hurt My Baby", Smashmouth "More Bounce", Nate Dogg (seven tracks on an upcoming album), Xzibit "Symphony in X Major", Macy Gray "Time of My Life", Mack 10 "Hate In Your Eyes", George Howard "I Apologize", James Ingram "Natural Man", Jennifer Holliday "Love Stories" and "Raise The Roof".

Movie soundtracks and TV spots

Johnson has been on movie soundtracks such as ''The Cookout'' soundtrack as lead vocals on "The Closer I Get To You" and the "Radio" movie soundtrack as background vocals for

India.Arie India Arie Simpson (born October 3, 1975) is an American singer and songwriter. She rose to prominence with her debut album, ''Acoustic Soul (2001),'' which was a commercial and critical success. She has since released the albums ''Voyage to In ...

. Johnson's career also includes live TV performances, numerous award shows and commercial radio jingles which include Los Angeles' HOT 92 JAMZ. His voice is featured on a national commercial jingle airing for "Outlast" a CoverGirl Product featuring Queen Latifah.

References

P. Diddy's Making His Band Episode 1
/ref> Starmaker's Liz: I'm The Happiest Girl In The World!
/ref>
(Dated: Wednesday, November 21, 2007)

External links

Official Romeo Johnson Site
{{DEFAULTSORT:Johnson, Romeo Year of birth missing (living people) Living people American male singers American baritones Songwriters from Tennessee Musicians from Chattanooga, Tennessee American vocal coaches Rufus (band) members American male songwriters