There is one undeniable fact about Johnny Gill’s Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum career. The singer/songwriter/producer sure knows how to rub music fans the right way.

Gill further fortified that inimitable legacy with his release, Game Changer II (J Skillz Records/Kalvary). Like its predecessor, Game Changer, Gill’s eighth solo studio album Game Changer II arrived packed with an avalanche of hits.

The 11-track set boasts several up-tempo, genre-bending tracks such as the Latin-spiced “Fiesta” featuring icons Carlos Santana and Sheila E., the reggae-tinged love song “Best Thing” as well as “Favorite Girl” – all produced by Grammy Award winning producer/musician/songwriter Blac Elvis out of Atlanta. A surefire standout is “That’s My Baby,” a sumptuous tribute to one of Gill’s biggest heroes, Luther Vandross, produced by the late producer, Ralph Stacy. Rounding out the guest cameos is After 7 lead singer Kevon Edmonds on “Home.” And on “So Hard,” Gill teams up again with legendary producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, the masterminds behind his 1990 breakthrough hit “Rub You the Right Way.” (Gill shares the creative inspiration behind each GC II selection, including three bonus tracks, following the bio.)

In 2023, Johnny Gill’s 41^st anniversary as a professional entertainer and seals his legendary status. It’s been a time that’s seen him be successful as a solo artist, as a member of several groups and as the CEO of his own empire under the J Skillz mantle. Even as Motown celebrated its 60th anniversary, Johnny is still proud to have once been a part of that magical company’s golden legacy.

Discovered at 16 years old, he released two albums through Atlantic Records. He next joined now-iconic boy band New Edition, helping them segue melodically from novelty to longevity on timeless classics such as “If It Isn’t Love” and “Can You Stand the Rain.” As a linchpin of legendary Motown Records’ ‘90s comeback roster, Gill exploded as a solo artist with an indelible one-two punch from producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis (“Rub You the Right Way”) and L.A. Reid & Babyface (“My, My, My”). Alongside Gerald Levert and Keith Sweat, Gill established L.S.G., the powerful R&B supergroup behind the sexy smash “My Body.” He also formed another supergroup, Heads of State, with New Edition peers Bobby Brown and Ralph Tresvant.

Johnny Gill is one of the few artist to score #1 hits with two different groups, duo and also as a solo artist.  He’s one of the top legendary artist to have hits on the top 10 R&B charts for three decades 80’s, 90’s and 2000’s. He’s accomplished a lot in his career as a veteran in this business and deserves a lot of credit for what he’s done in over 40 years in this business.

After a 15-year solo hiatus, Gill made a stunning return to the game with 2011’s Still Winning.  The set peaked at No. 17 on the Billboard 200 and No. 4 on the magazine’s R&B album chart. Then came the pivotal Game Changer on Gill’s own record label J Skillz.

Following Johnny’s involvement in the 2017 television ratings bonanza The New Edition Story, Gill filmed a role in 2018 in the upcoming Spinning Gold which will be released in 2023. In the forthcoming biopic about Casablanca Records founder Neil Bogart, Gill plays Clarence Burke Jr. who was the lead singer of the Five Stairsteps (top 40 hit “O-o-h Child”).

A fervent believer in giving back, Gill is a longtime supporter of the L.A. Speech & Language Therapy Center for the last 15 years, which provides treatment and services for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other diagnoses. “Music is so universal and can be so healing to our souls,” says Gill. “I love watching these children work through their problems, evolve and do things no one ever dreamed they could.” Gill performed with the kids from LA Speech & Language Therapy Center at the Special Olympics 2015 Opening Ceremony.

Whatever Johnny Gill has coming next, fans can rest assure of one thing. He never just plays the game. He changes it … every time.

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