LIL' JOHANNA

Lil' Johanna launched her path as a child pop performer, only to evolve into a freestyle artist by the close of the 1990s. Her professional start came at age 11 after her mother forwarded a demo tape to a radio outlet. Not long afterward, the rising youngster embraced Spanish singing sensation Selena as a guiding influence. In 1996 she secured a contract with High Power Records, which included a distribution arrangement through Warlock Records; linking next with renowned dance producer Tony "Dr. Edit" Garcia led to the release of her first album, Real Love. The project yielded the singles "Take Me in Your Arms" and the title track itself. Half the material appeared in English and the remainder in Spanish, with certain selections—among them the tribute to her idol, "Selena"—offered in both languages.