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Tonya Michelle Johnston[1][2][3] (born July 17, 1973), known professionally as Solé, is an American rapper from Kansas City, Missouri.[3]
Early life and education
Solé was born on July 17, 1973 in Kansas City, to Phyllis Frazier and James Johnston,[4][5] Her siblings are Sean and Charles (Chuck) Johnston, Sierra and Tamika Gamble.[6] She is of West African, East African, Tamil (South Indian), Native American descent through her mother side and North African and Eastern European descent through her father side. She attended cosmetology school and college in the early 1990s where she studied Political Science and Psychology before securing a record deal with Dreamworks Records and RedZone Entertainment[7]
Career
Solé descended from a family of musical talent, song writers, singers and musicians. She began rapping at the age of 6 and formed a group called Divine with her best friend Shurhea Mitchell in 1986. They would perform at local talent shows and in 1990 they won a trip to the BRE (Black Radio Exclusive) in New Orleans, to perform at a showcase in front of record label execs and other artists. They were offered a record deal by JDK Records and flew to New York to record. Her father, who was managing them at the time, didn't feel it was a good deal so they went back home and started college.
She once again began recording in 1997 with Tech N9ne and Don Juan of Kansas City fame and traveled to LA to record. She met Thabiso Nkhereanye who introduced her to Christopher Tricky Stewart of Red Zone Entertainment, who signed her to a production deal. Her career took off as a hardcore female hip hop artist by attracting attention in the summer of 1999 with her appearance on J.T. Money's hit single "Who Dat," which reached number 1 on the US Rap chart, remaining there for 8 weeks (a record at the time), winning number 2 on the US R&B chart, and number 5 on the US Hot 100. Who Dat won "Rap Single of the Year" at the 1999 Billboard Music Awards as well.
In September 1999, she released her debut album Skin Deep, which was an overall success in the United States attaining Gold status and garnered her a nomination for "Rap Artist of the Year" at the Billboard Music Awards. She also went on to win several ASCAP Music awards that same year.
Her highly anticipated return to music was guided by a desire to offer music that is empowering and inspiring, reflective of the path that she embarked upon when she left the industry.
In 2011 she was featured on “Naal Naachna" by UK based Bhangra artist Jassi Sidhu lead singer of British Indian bhangra band B21.
In February 2012 she featured on a song called "A New Look" by Focus.[8]
In 2017 she was featured on "SocMed Digital Heroin" from Public Enemy 30th-anniversary album "Nothing Is Quick In The Desert".
On September 29, 2019, Solé released her second album Encoded.[9]
Personal life
Solé met Ginuwine in June 1999[10] and began dating in October 1999.[10] The two became engaged in August 2000. They resided in Brandywine, Maryland.[11][12] They have two daughters together: Story (b. March 29, 2001)[13] and Dream Sarae Lumpkin (b. November 1, 2002).[14] Solé married Ginuwine on September 8, 2003 in Grand Cayman.
Solé has four daughters in total and one granddaughter. Her daughters De'jan Nicole Lee, born in 1992, and Cypress Soleil Lee, born in 1995, are from a previous relationship. Her granddaughter, Sage Lotus Lee, was born May 17, 2020.
In 2014, Solé filed for divorce; Ginuwine announced their separation in November of that year.[15] Their divorce was finalized July 22, 2015.[16]
On August 27, 2017, Solé married Public Enemy band member and rapper Professor Griff, taking his last name Shah and legally changing her full name to Aja Shah.
Discography
Studio albums
| Year | Album | Chart Positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | US Hip-Hop | ||
| 1999 | Skin Deep | 127 | 27 |
| 2019 | Encoded | — | — |
Singles
Solo
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions [17][18][19][20][21][22] |
Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billboard Hot 100 | Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs | Hot Rap Singles | Rhythmic Top 40 | |||
| 1999 | "4, 5, 6" (featuring JT Money and Kandi) | 21 | 9 | 1 | 24 | Skin Deep |
| 2000 | "It Wasn't Me" (featuring Ginuwine) | — | 44 | — | 19 | |
| 2019 | "Encoded" | — | — | — | — | Encoded |
| "Pranayama" | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Under the Veil" | — | — | — | — | ||
| "The Formula" | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Daughter of The Earth" | — | — | — | — | ||
As featured performer
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions[23][24] | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billboard Hot 100 | Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs | Hot Rap Singles | |||
| 1999 | "Baby" (Before Dark feat. Sole) | — | 48 | — | Daydreamin' |
| "Who Dat" (JT Money feat. Sole) | 5 | 2 | 1 | Pimpin' on Wax | |
| "—" indicates singles that did not chart. | |||||
Guest appearances
| Year | Song | Artist(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | "Straight Thuggin'" (also featuring Twista) | Kane & Abel | Rise to Power |
| "Clueless" (also featuring Larone Burnette) | Tech N9ne | The Calm Before the Storm | |
| "Let Him Go" | Tamar Braxton | Tamar: Just Cuz | |
| "Better Than Me" (Mario Winans Remix) | Terry Dexter | Better Than Me (single) | |
| 2001 | "Get Up On It" | Tyrese | 2000 Watts |
| "Contagious (Mercenary Mix)" | The Isley Brothers | Contagious (Remix) | |
| 2002 | "Costa Nostra" | Don Juan | Mizery Won't Stop |
| 2003 | "Sex" | Ginuwine | The Senior |
| 2011 | "Naal Nuchuna" | Jassi Sidhu | Singing Between the Lines |
| 2012 | "A New Look" | Focus... |
References
External links
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