the Mic Buddah) is a French singer/vocalist, beatboxer, songwriter, producer and beatmaker from Paris, France. Sly is one of the major Hip-Hop/Soul/Jazz forces in France, known for his incredible live performance on stage where he combines Soul Music, Funk and Hip-Hop with the art of Human Beatboxing, with his Looper or with his band “ The 74ers ”. Sly was born in Paris from both African parents n
ative from Congo (Brazzaville). He lived in the south of Paris in Montrouge with his father who was a huge fan a Jazz music, Afro-Cuban Rhythms, Blues, Negro Spirituals & Soul Music. So Sly grew up alongside records from top artists such as, Otis Redding, James Brown, Joe Tex, Mahalia Jackson, Ella Fitzgerald, Fania All-Stars, Louis Armstrong, Fats Domino and more...
He’s also known for his work with the multi-awarded & worldwide known French Hip-Hop group SAIAN SUPA CREW he was a member of (with the moniker Sly The Mic Buddah) and performed with during 10 years until the crew broke up in 2007. a first EP (Saïan Supa Land) [indie] in 1998, that will make them signed at Source 360/Virgin Music and released a second EP called « Saïan Supa Crew » in 1999. Then will follow the first multi-gold/platinum LP « KLR » in 1999 with the hit « Angela ». Then will follow the « L’Block » EP in 2000, « The Stand Out EP » (featuring Brand Nubian, The Artsonits, The Dwellas & Kymany Marley), a second multi-gold LP « X-Raisons », and the last one LP called Hold Up » (featuring Will.I.Am, Camille & Patrice). Sly Johnson has started his solo career with an EP called « Sumthin’ That U Neva Heard Before » (featuring Dudley Perkins & Wildchild of Lootpack), entirely made with his voice, using the beatboxing techniques where he excels and recognized for it all around the globe. In 2008 he will released in collaboration with trumpet player Erik Truffaz an album called « Paris » on Blue Note Records. In 2009, Sly signed at Universal Jazz/EmArcy, and recorded his first solo LP in Stamford/ Connecticut with the producer Jay Newland and great musicians such as Neal Evans & Eric Krasno of Soulive, Cindy Blackman, TM Stevens... Also conducted by Larry Gold. Sly will released « The June 26th EP » featuring remixes of 20syl, Roddy Rod...
In 2010, he released his 1st - Soul/Neo Soul - LP “ 74 ” where feature tracks with T3 & Elzhi of Slum Village and AYO. After his first LP, Sly signed at the indie label “ Heavenly Sweetness ” where he will released his 2nd LP called « The Mic Buddah » featuring the french rapper Oxmo Puccino, Erik Truffaz, Rachel Claudio, 2MORROWS VICTORY and flute player Magic Malik, which is produced and recorded in Paris/France. This second album will mark a major change in the way Sly sees and how he wants to make music. During all these years, Sly Johnson has collaborate with many many artists from different musical universes on records and on stage, such as Boddhi Satva, China Moses, Jacky Terrasson, Roy Hargrove, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Erik Truffaz, Sean Price, Dj Revolution, Lucky Peterson, Juliette Greco, Talib Kweli (UNION-Analogtronics), Anthony Joseph, Rapper Big Pooh (Little Brother), Georgia Ann Muldrow, FINALE, Cleveland P Jones, SAGA, Camille, Oxmo Puccino, IAM among others...
He’s now touring with several project as HH4K [Hip-Hop 4 Kidz], a visual & sound creation called ‘ECHOS’ written and directed by Mathilda May and his new 55.4 Trio (with Laurent Salzard on bass & Anthony Jambon on guitar). Now, Sly is making his debut on the prestigious label BBE Music (J Dilla, Madly, Pete Rock, Bilal, V, Dj Spinna, Roy Ayers, Brian Jackson, Louie Vega, Kenny Dope…) with his fourth solo album called « 55.4 » released in May 2022.
