Before music was all about overnight pop
stars and monster-selling albums, there was an unwritten rule in the record
business that true artistry takes time to cultivate. You pay your dues, hone
your craft, and weather the inevitable storms. Such was the formula for career
longevity. Nowadays, real artist development seems virtually extinct, but there
are some new-school purists – like singer/songwriter JOHNTA AUSTIN – who are
reverting back to the industry's original mantra: just make good music.
For nearly a decade, 24-year-old Johnta Austin has been doing just that. An
accomplished songwriter, Austin is the pen behind such hits as Toni Braxton's
"Just Be A Man (About It)" (2000), Aaliyah's "Miss You (I Miss You)" (2002) and
Mariah Carey's smash "We Belong Together"
(2005). But it was the tender ballad "Sweet Lady" (1998), recorded by R&B belter
Tyrese and written by Austin at the tender age of sixteen that prominently
introduced the young scribe to the music world.
Indeed, Austin is fully prepared to unleash his long-awaited So So Def/Virgin
Records debut, OCEAN DRIVE. "When you think of Miami's Ocean Drive, you think
elegance, you think classy, sexy, fresh – all of the things we feel this album
is," says Austin . OCEAN DRIVE is the album Austin has waited years to make:
classic R&B with poignant ballads, soulful rhythms and easy-going sex appeal.
"We tried to create an album that's timeless," he adds.
Southwest Atlanta native Austin showed signs of precociousness at an early age.
An aspiring child actor and singer in his church choir, Austin landed a gig at
the age of 12 as co-host of a children's television series on Turner
Broadcasting Station (TBS). Austin got the chance to interview entertainment
icons like Michael Jackson and
Michael Jordan. This high profile gig
gained the attention of late night talk show host Arsenio Hall, who invited
Austin to be a guest on "The Arsenio Hall Show." When Austin revealed that he
liked to sing, Arsenio immediately prompted the little prodigy to sing with the
show's band. And of course, he took the challenge.
Coincidentally, an A&R rep from RCA Records was watching that show and later
reached out to Austin , which led to the 13-year-old's record deal with RCA in
1994. However, Austin 's tenure on RCA was cut short once puberty set in and his
voice changed. Consequently, he was dropped from the label in 1995 and replaced
by another young male singer, the Coca-Cola commercial star Tyrese. "It was
rough being dropped from the label," admits Austin , "but I understood early
that this industry is a business. The people who initially signed me were no
longer at the label. I was never really bitter about it, I just knew I wanted
another shot some day."
Far from being discouraged, Austin took a keen interest in songwriting. He
practiced and studied the craft, and within six months following his dismissal
from RCA, he submitted the lyrics to "Sweet Lady" for Tyrese's debut album. By
the time Austin graduated from North Atlanta’s School of Performing Arts high
school in 1998, "Sweet Lady" was a Top 10 hit on the Billboard charts. "I was
happy to get the opportunity to write a record for Tyrese," says Austin . "I
didn't know it was gonna be as successful as it was. Honestly, I felt a little
bit of satisfaction to be able to look at the people who dropped me and show
them what I could do." It was also in 1998 that Austin hooked up with
Atlanta-based Noontime Management, who has guided his career since.
With the success of "Sweet Lady" came opportunities to work with numerous other
artists, including Mariah Carey, Toni Braxton, Ginuwine, Aaliyah, Faith Evans,
B2K, Ciara, Ruben Studdard,
Fantasia Barrino, and
Mario. Austin's reputable work led him
to well known producer Bryan-Michael Cox, who in 2003 introduced Austin to So So
Def founder, superstar producer and current President of Virgin Records' Urban
Music Division, Jermaine Dupri. As the two composers began working together on
various projects, Dupri also took notice of Austin 's singing talent. "J.D.
would ask me to write on some tracks," recalls Austin . "I would demo the vocals
on records for other artists and as I did more and more records, J.D. started
listening to my voice. Then I did this song called "Lil More Love." After he
heard it, he was like, 'When I get this new situation [with Virgin], I'm gonna
sign you."
True to his word, Dupri signed Austin to So So Def/Virgin Records in the spring
of 2005. This time, Austin was able to bring a wealth of experience, musical
knowledge, and hit-making talent – not to mention some serious vocal chops – to
his new deal. "I don't think I ever stopped being an artist," maintains Austin .
"I focused on the songwriting thing for so long because I knew when I got
another chance to do an album, I wanted to bring more to the table."
Leading off OCEAN DRIVE is the sensual single "Lil More Love," the song that
ultimately convinced Dupri to give Austin a deal. Produced by Dupri and
Bryan-Michael Cox and written by Austin, "Lil More Love" celebrates the
pleasures of "grown folk" love-making as Austin croons lustily over a
piano-driven melody.
"I try to sing with a lot of emotion," says Austin . "When it's a painful song,
I want you to feel the pain in my voice. When it's a love song, I want you to
feel the love. Marvin Gaye did it best. He could do all the riffs and acrobats
with his voice, but it was his emotion and feeling that really brought the
records home. That's what I try to do every time I get on the mic. I just really
try to concentrate on the feeling."
And there's certainly a range of feelings to explore on OCEAN DRIVE, from the
catchy tune "Joy" to the sultry "Dope Fiend." "Subject matter is key to a good
song," says Austin ." You have to talk about things that people can relate to,
be it love or an argument or wanting to be with someone and you can't. Melody
goes a long way too.”
He may be young, but you can't deny Johnta Austin's "old soul" gift for
songwriting. For years, he's lent this talent to dozens of other artists. Now,
on OCEAN DRIVE it's his turn to shine.
