Chris Johnson

Chris Johnson is an American drummer, producer and songwriter. He is known for his work as a touring and session drummer across pop, R&B, and gospel music, and has performed and recorded with Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter, Rihanna, Stevie Wonder, Camila Cabello, Madonna, and Jennifer Lopez.

Johnson is featured as a drummer on the soundtrack to A Star Is Born (2018), and he holds songwriting and production credits on Snoop Dogg's gospel album Bible of Love (2018). Johnson was recognised by the Grammy Awards in 2011 as a songwriter on the track Survive on the album Something Big by Mary Mary which was nominated for Best Gospel album. He is a key member of the National Black Musicians Coalition Board.

Early life and background Johnson was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, and grew up in the South Central area of the city. He is the son of a pastor and church choir leader and began playing drums in his father's church at an early age. He worked as the drummer for Stevie Wonder (including his televised performance at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012) and later joined Rihanna's live band for international tours.

Johnson recorded drums on the soundtrack to A Star Is Born (2018). and in 2022 as part of her Chromatica Ball tour, performing at stadium and arena shows in support of her album Chromatica.

Johnson also appeared with Gaga at broadcast and festival events, including televised performances and Coachella.

From 2022, Johnson became a core member of singer Sabrina Carpenter's touring and performance band, serving as her drummer across televised performances, festivals, and international arena tours. He performed with Carpenter on her NPR Tiny Desk Concert, released in December 2024

Johnson toured with Carpenter on her Emails I can't Send tour in 2022, in support on Taylor Swift's Eras tour through 2023–24, and on her Short n' Sweet Tour in 2024–25, including European festival Primavera Sound Barcelona. He also appeared with her at BST Hyde Park in London in July 2025.

Recording and songwriting In 2011, Johnson co-wrote the track Survive for the album Something Big by Mary Mary. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and the UK Albums Chart and won four Grammy Awards, as well as the Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Shallow." The album debuted at number one on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart.

Authorship In January 2021, Johnson released his instructional book Pop, R&B and Gospel Drumming, published by Hal Leonard.

Accolades Johnson was profiled by Live Nation as 'One to Watch', citing his resume as "reading like a who's who in the world of music". and then as a featured cover artist again in 2023.

He was nominated twice in Modern Drummer's annual awards, receiving runner-up in the 2023 Pop Readers Poll and nominee in the 2025 Pop Readers' Poll. Johnson is featured in the documentary Hired Gun, which aired in theatres in 2017, which examines the careers of LA session and touring musicians, and was profiled by AfterBuzzTV. He is a founding member of Legally Blynd, a band featuring other similarly credited LA session musicians.

Advocacy Johnson is a board member of the National Black Musicians Coalition and Spotify's Entertainment Engine speaking on these topics.

Endorsements Johnson endorses several musical instrument manufacturers, including Yamaha (drums), Sabian (cymbals), Remo (drumheads), and Vater (drumsticks).

Selected credits