By Stacy A. Anderson, The Hilltop
October 5, 2006
http://www.thehilltoponline.com/life_style/1.463752
“If at first you don’t succeed, try again.”
The old-age cliché is the phrase that music producer and upcoming vocalist Johnta Austin lives by. His first single, “Turn It Up,” featuring Jermaine Dupri, can now be heard on the radio, but Austin has been in the music industry for over a decade.
Most recently, Austin helped write the majority of Janet Jackson’s new album, 20Y.O. and is currently in the studio with Jessica Simpson and Mary J. Blige, but his career is not without humble beginnings.
He started in the entertainment business as a host for teen programs on CNN and Turner Broadcasting Station in Atlanta at the age of 12. One guest he interviewed for a show ignited his future musical aspirations.
“I interviewed Arsenio Hall and the stipulation was that if I interviewed him, he could interview me,” Austin said in an interview with The Hilltop. “He asked me on the show if there was anything else I wanted to do and I said music, so I sang a hook.”
A record producer was in the audience of the late night show and Austin soon signed a record deal with RCA records in 1994 at 13 years old. Austin’s deal grew sour over time and he was soon replaced by another upcoming R&B teen star by the name of Tyrese.
“Basically at that point, I learned at an early age that you can be bitter about what happens to you or do something about it,” Austin explained of his disappointment. “I put my pen to the paper and tried to write something. It was the only option at the time to stay in the music business.”
Austin continued to wait for his big break as a solo artist, while writing for other singers. Although Tyrese took away his first chance to shine, Austin received much success at 16 from writing “Sweet Lady,” which became a hit for Tyrese in 1998.
Austin went on to write and co-write memorable tracks like Ideal’s no. 2 hit “Get Gone,” “I Don’t Wanna” by Aaliyah, and Toni Braxton’s “Just Be A Man (About It).” Austin also reached the no. 1 spot with Aaliyah’s “Miss You.” He has collaborated with various talents in the music industry such as Faith Evans, Ginuwine, B2K, Ciara, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia and Mario.
Austin eventually returned to his own singing roots, and in 2005 he released the single, “Lil More Love” on So So Def and Virgin Records. A debut album was set to follow soon after, but the release date was pushed back. Austin, who still remained in the limelight with his cameo in Dupri’s “Gotta Getcha,” said the album needed more time to be perfected.
“‘A Li’l More Love’ was a buzz record. We wanted people to get a taste,” he said. “‘Turn It Up’ is the official single with a video. Jermaine wanted to give it more time, since it was originally supposed to come out in October.”
Austin spent the time improving his debut and learning from his mentor and friend Dupri, who has guided the careers of artists like Mariah Carey and Bow Wow.
“It’s an honor. I think about it all the time,” Austin said.
“Jermaine’s track record is amazing. You can feel the magic. It’s like playing with Michael Jordan or for the Yankees.”
Dupri also helped Austin with the clever title for his album now set with a December 26 release date. “Ocean Drive is a strip in Miami,” he said. “It’s a mentality; when we hear Ocean Drive, we think fun, sexy, no inhibitions—and that’s what we want this album to be.”
Austin, who helped write Carey’s “Shake It Off,” “It’s Like That” and “Don’t Forget About Us” won his first Grammy last year from her no. 1 hit “We Belong Together.”
“Now I feel like Dwayne Wade when he won a championship so early in the game,” Austin said of winning one of the most prestigious music awards. “It’s out of the way and now I can really experiment. It’s truly all about the music now. The pressure is not there anymore to win. Some people spend their whole careers to get that. Don’t get me wrong, I would like to win more awards, but I have one and it can’t be taken away.”
Austin, who is no stranger to the District, performed at Howard’s Yardfest last year and again this summer at Club H20. He also stopped by WHBC radio station yesterday to chat with DJs about his career and upcoming album. The student-run radio station added Austin to the rotation earlier this school year, with several requests in Austin’s favor as a result.
“He’s gotten a better response than most new artists in the past,” said sophomore audio production major Anthony Poole.
Poole, who is also music director for WHBC said, “He’s real humble and down to earth, a real cool cat. His album is promising.”
