Chapter 4: Labor Pains
Chapter 4: Labor Pains is the fifth studio album by American singer Syleena Johnson. It was released digitally on December 23, 2008, and physically on January 13, 2009, on Johnson's own label, Aneelys Entertainment, after her departure from longtime record company Jive Records. Distribution was handled by Universal Music Group and Federal Distribution. Upon its release, Chapter 4 entered the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart at number forty-two.[1] Chapter 4's lead single was "It Is True", which was made available on iTunes on June 24, 2008, and impacted radio on July 1.[2]
| Chapter 4: Labor Pains | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | December 23, 2008 | |||
| Length | 62:22 | |||
| Label | Aneelys | |||
| Producer |
| |||
| Syleena Johnson chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Chapter 4: Labor Pains | ||||
| ||||
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [3] |
AllMusic editor James Steiner found that Chapter 4: Labor Pains was "Johnson's first attempt to grapple with the towering legacy of her father, Syl Johnson. While Syleena's previous albums featured smartly produced, forward-looking R&B, the retro flourishes of Chapter 4's "Shoo Fly," with its slow burning wah wah guitar, and Syleena's incredible interpretation of her father's gut-wrenching signature hit "Is It Because I'm Black," mark a fascinating and rewarding change of direction for this talented singer."[3]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Intro" |
|
| 1:35 |
| 2. | "Labor Pains" |
|
| 4:11 |
| 3. | "Where's the Love" (featuring Teefa) |
|
| 4:10 |
| 4. | "Freedom" |
| Frederick "Toxic" Taylor | 4:49 |
| 5. | "Is It Because I'm Black" |
| Nate Q | 4:57 |
| 6. | "Be Me" |
|
| 4:26 |
| 7. | "Interlude: Redstorm's Domestic Lesson" |
| Redstorm | 2:15 |
| 8. | "You Let Me Down" |
|
| 4:09 |
| 9. | "Shoo Fly" |
|
| 4:19 |
| 10. | "Maury Povich" (featuring Cold Hard) |
| Toxic | 4:15 |
| 11. | "It Is True" |
|
| 3:45 |
| 12. | "Your Love" |
|
| 4:15 |
| 13. | "My First" |
|
| 3:53 |
| 14. | "Personal Trainer" |
|
| 3:50 |
| 15. | "Go Home" |
|
| 4:14 |
| 16. | "Go" |
| Toxic | 3:16 |
| 17. | "Outro" |
|
| 1:04 |
| Total length: | 62:22 | |||
Notes
- ^[a] denotes additional producer
Sample credits
- "Freedom" contains a sample of "Talkin Bout Freedom" as performed by Syl Johnson.
- "Is It Because I'm Black" contains a sample of the same-titled song as performed by Syl Johnson.
- "It Is True" contains elements of "Sparkle" as performed by Aretha Franklin.
Personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Chapter 4: Labor Pains.[4]
- flytedesign – art direction
- Syleena Johnson – A&R
- Steven Ledell – photography
- Slavic Livins – engineer, mixing, recording
- Herb Powers – mastering
- Chris Steinmetz – mixing
- Frederick "Toxic" Taylor – engineer, recording
- Syleecia Thompson – A&R
Charts
| Chart (2009) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[1] | 42 |
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | December 23, 2008 | Digital download | Aneelys | [5] |
| January 13, 2009 | CD | [6] |
References
- "Syleena Johnson Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
- "Amazon.com: It Is True: MP3 Downloads: Syleena Johnson". Amazon. Retrieved January 7, 2009.
- "Chapter 4: Labor Pains". AllMusic. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
- Chapter 4: Labor Pains (CD liner). Syleena Johnson. Aneelys Entertainment. 2008.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - "Amazon.com: Chapter 4: Labor Pains: MP3 Downloads: Syleena Johnson". Amazon. Retrieved January 7, 2009.
- "Amazon.com: Chapter 4: Labor Pains: Syleena Johnson: Music". Amazon. Retrieved January 7, 2009.