Johnta Austin 'Ocean Drive' album

As the singular most successful songwriter at work today – whose tunes have been brought to the top of the charts by Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, and at least 50 more artists over the last decade, including Whitney Houston, Jennifer Hudson, Jessica Simpson, Usher, Chris Brown, Toni Braxton, Tyrese, Enrique Iglesias, Aaliyah, Faith Evans, B2K, Ciara, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia, and Mario – what do you deliver for an encore, after winning the Best R&B Song Grammy Award for the past two consecutive years?

In the case of 26-year old Atlanta native Johnta (pronounced “John-tay”) Austin, the highly anticipated arrival of his debut album OCEAN DRIVE on mega-producer Jermaine Dupri’s So So Def/Island Urban Music label is the fulfillment of a dream that’s lasted half a lifetime. Set to arrive in stores September 4th, OCEAN DRIVE gets off to a fast start with the new single, “Video.” With a big up to the club scene, the infectious new single features Atlanta-based rapper DJ Unk.

Also guesting on the album is Jadakiss, on the soulful ode “Turn It Up,” which earned big adds at radio back in late 2006 (and a popular video on BET, BET-J and VH1-Soul). Mary J. Blige joins on “Hood Love,” described as the story of two people who “fight more than they get along…but at the end of the day, really love each other…” Ms. Blige’s “Be Without You” of last year brought Johnta one of his two Best R&B Song Grammy Awards.

Johnta’s other Best R&B Song Grammy was courtesy of Mariah Carey’s record-setting 2005 single, “We Belong Together.” In fact, Johnta and Mariah co-wrote all four U.S. chart hits from her phenomenal 12-million selling album The Emancipation of Mimi, including “Don’t Forget About Us,” “Shake It Off,” and “It’s Like That,” as well as the Europe-only “Get Your Number” (featuring Dupri), and Ultra Platinum Edition bonus track “Makin’ It Last All Night (What It Do)” – all six of which were produced by Dupri.

With a groove that is reminiscent of the finely-crafted work of such soul icons as Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross and in more recent times, Al B. Sure, OCEAN DRIVE also boasts production work by Teddy Bishop (“A Mess”) and Jazze Pha (the chill cut “Mutual”). The balance of the tracks are produced by Dupri.

Over the past eight years, as many as 100 combined chart single hits and album tracks, by more than 50 artists, were written by Johnta Austin, one of the most prolific track records in contemporary music publishing. In addition to the aforementioned hits by Mariah, Mary J., and Tyrese, a sampling of Johnta’s biggest and best includes: “A Public Affair” (Jessica Simpson); “Get Gone” (Ideal); “Miss You” and “Come Over” (Aaliyah); “Just Be A Man” (Toni Braxton); “Let’s Stay Home Tonight” (Anthony Hamilton, Raheem DeVaughn); “My Baby” (Jagged Edge/Bow Wow); “Like You” (Bow Wow/Ciara); “True Love” (Faith Evans); and “Excuse Me Miss” (Chris Brown).

After working together on The Emancipation of Mimi, it was Jermaine Dupri’s idea to present Johnta as a solo artist. Taking time to ensure that Johnta’s first album would reflect the span of his skills as a soulful vocalist, songwriter and producer, Dupri has supervised the creation of OCEAN DRIVE from inception to release.

Biography
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.

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Johnta Austin - Ocean Drive