Paul Johnson

There are several artists named Paul Johnson. One of them is Paul Leighton Johnson (1971–2021), a house music producer from Chicago.

Born and raised in the birthplace of house music, Paul Johnson released over 130 EPs under his own name and a considerable amount of music for some of the most underground dance labels before collaborating with Peacefrog. His 12″ releases on labels like Cajual, Relief, and Dance Mania led to the release of his first album ‘Bump Talkin’ in 1994. This album, along with its successor ‘Feel The Music’, became two of the most talked-about releases of their time.

In 1998, he released his biggest hit to date, Get Get Down, which sold over 3 million copies worldwide, was included in the Guinness Book of Records, and was licensed for over 100 CD and house compilations globally. This track still has an impact on dance floors today.

Considered one of the best DJs from Chicago, he also did remix work for artists such as Destiny's Child, Jon B, Ce Ce Peniston, Daft Punk, Green Velvet, Armando, Ron Trent, and Steve Poindexter, among others. These remixes found their way into the crates of major DJs, many remaining there to this day.

In recent years, his singles have regularly charted in the Billboard Top 50. His solo productions on labels like Dancemania, Relief, Cajual, Nite Life, Undaground Therapy, Defected, DJax Up Beats, Peacefrog, Moody, and Dust Traxx are as popular, if not more so, than his collaborative works with artists like Gant Garrard.

His style is associated with Chicago house, disco house, funky house, and French house. He is recognized for producing several house anthems.