Who is Johnal? Real name, Johnal Gleen aka: Johnal G.M. or simply known as ‘Johnal’, is a singer, a songwriter and a producer from Buffalo, New York. His sound is a mix of “Hip – Pop – Soul” music, a mixture of all his favorites genres consolidated into one. His major musical influence being Buffalo music legend Rick James. You may have seen ‘Son of Rick James’ under Johnal’s name but it’s only creation no relation.
Johnal’s music has been played over radio stations (most recently, ‘Fly Thang’) such as Florida’s, Power 102 Jams, Atlanta’s V.103, and right here in Buffalo over WBLK, where he won Best Male R&B Artist of the Year Award.
This talented young man has been signing since the age of fifteen while in the church choir and carried on to competitions, his first being at the world famous Apollo Theater in Harlem. Johnal is the third oldest child in a family of five. Raised by his mother who brought him and his siblings up in a strong church background. He is well known through out his city as a positive role model who takes part in local charities, fundraisers, and supports other local talents in all genres.
Johnal grew up on Buffalo’s Goodyear Avenue. After grinding in one of the hardest neighborhoods in the city, he formed a three-man group called, “Off The Block”, all the group members grew up in the same neighborhood. The group expanded to a four-man group, and then went to a 2-man group, which led to Johnal going solo in 2004.
In 2005 Johnal started his own label & entertainment group called, G.M. Entertainment and his team continues to grow. What does the G.M. stand for? If you ask Johnal, he’ll tell you the initials have several meanings, it’s hard to say which one exactly; Grown Man, Good Music, Getting Money. So, when you see GM after Johnal’s name or the GM Entertainment somewhere it means all of them all rolled up into one.
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