Shania (29), Batchlor (27), and Corey Johnson (22) are three siblings, born in Southern California and raised in West Houston, Katy, Texas, who aspire to create music together that inspires their listeners and helps people feel love and connected with the stories they tell within their music.
The siblings’ musical journey started way before they were born. The Johnsons’ musical journey has been embedded in both the mother’s and father’s side of the family. The mom’s side had their music journey on the island of Samoa. Performing throughout the island in their band in every area they can think of. The father’s side also had their share in music, with the dad being a rapper in the 90s and their grandma, Barbara Lynn, a famous electric guitarist, singer, and songwriter, well-known for her renowned R&B song “You’ll Lose a Good Thing” released in 1963.
Coming from a well-talented family line, the three siblings started their performance journey during family gatherings. Always performing for the family, their father always had a vision of his kids performing together one day. The three could create their group when the youngest, Corey, was old enough. Movement in their careers started once Batchlor made his first so in Junior High called “Dance Floor.” Their dad got him to record in a studio, create music videos, and perform in malls and festivals. The family even tried out for American Idol, America’s Got Talent, X Factor, and many other singing competition shows.
Throughout their lives, the siblings were inspired by artists like Michael Jackson. Batchlor stated that he watched an interview with Michael Jackson when he was younger, and in the interview, Michael noted that he “never sang something he didn’t feel.” From that moment, the siblings took that motive and ran with it.
The family was given an opportunity in September 2024 to perform in Utah for a Polynesian Festival held annually in Lehi. During this time, it wasn’t an easy process for them. One of their goals was always to inspire the Polynesian culture with their music. With a lot of competition in the music industry, many Polynesian artists are in Utah. Many people also didn’t know that the Johnson family were Samoan either. With faith and prayers, they were able to land a spot to perform at the Polynesian Festival due to acts falling through in the original show. They used this opportunity to show gratitude and dedicate that performance to their uncle, who was picking up traction for his music in the islands but died during COVID-19. They performed a song that went viral in the islands that their uncle and dad made together at the show.
Incorporating Culture Within Their Music
When it comes to culture and music, the three stated that “culture is a lifestyle that can’t be separated from music.” Being of Polynesian descent, they do their best to reflect the theme of what a Polynesian family is: raw, authentic, talented, loyal, and consistent in their music. They mentioned artists such as the Jets, who perfectly reflect the Polynesian family theme. In the future, the family also hopes to create songs incorporating the Samoan language, their mom’s native language, to create something as powerful as Pati’s song Tali Maia.
Goals and What’s Next for the Johnson Family
Within the year, the siblings hope for many things in the future for their music careers. Their family hopes to go on tour this year to different countries such as New Zealand, Samoa, Ethiopia, Japan, and Dubai; some places lined up for them to speak to the youth, and they hope to tie in their music. They also hope to make it to Houston, Idaho, Dallas, Colorado, and other parts of California. Many of them have already contacted the trio to come out and perform. They are all individual artists, hoping to release or re-release music as a family.
As they continue to write and inspire others with their music, the Johnsons hope they can portray authenticity and write many stories that people can relate to, whether they be of the culture or not. They want to continue to inspire others, make them feel loved and comforted, include everyone as much as possible, and always remember who they are, where they come from, and the family they represent.
Images provided by the featured individuals or sourced from their public social media profiles and online platforms. All rights remain with the original creators. Originally published in PMN+ Magazine, February 2025 (Vol. 2 No. 2).
February 2025 · Digital Magazine
