Singing since she could speak, LaLa Johnson found her musical calling, first, in the Baptist Church of her childhood. In the process of earning her "stripes" at public and private functions, LaLa quickly realized that she had something special, within, that was waiting to burst out.

Born and raised on Gospel, groomed in R&B, classically-trained, and consummate with regard to Reggae and the Blues, LaLa finds real comfort in the ingenuity that is demanded by Jazz. She credits this to a musical acquaintance, during her early college years, who gave her a cd of Ella Fitzgerald recordings...
"I had heard the name, Ella Fitzgerald, all my life. In hind-sight, I even recall having heard her voice, long before I connected the two. The first time I listened to that cd, with "Misty", "Stormy Weather", duets with Louis Armstrong and how they exchanged witty musical banters with one another, I was captivated. Then, there was "THE" recording of "How High The Moon"; after I heard that, I felt like I had steam coming out of my ears! I remember saying, THAT'S Ella Fitzgerald?! What PLANET is she from?!" My mind was blown. I was sold on her, and on Jazz, ever since..." - Lala Johnson

In February, 2014, LaLa J made her acting debut as the lead in the musical, "Caroline or Change". Directed by Toschia Moffett (Vive Les Arts Theatre),"Caroline or Change" has been lauded as a powereful musical that incorporates a through-sung script with a musical score that combines Motown, folk, classical, spirituals and Jewish klezmer music.