His name is already familiar to record buyers who make note of the songwriting credits on major hit records by such superstar artists as Mariah Carey and Mary J. Blige. Music industry insiders know him as the Grammy-winning 'go-to' writer which is why the legendary Whitney Houston,
Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, global multi-platinum artist Usher and hitmaker Chris Brown have tracks on forthcoming projects by this unassuming Atlanta native. While he may have spent the last eight years behind the scenes, penning songs for the likes of Toni Braxton, Tyrese, Enrique Iglesias, Ginuwine, Aaliyah, Faith Evans, B2K, Ciara, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, and Mario, that's all about to change with the 2007 release of Johnta Austin's much-awaited debut album, OCEAN DRIVE.
Signed to super-producer Jermaine Dupri's So So Def label, Johnta (pronounced "John-tay") Austin is stepping out front with a first record that is reminiscent of the finely-crafted work of such soulful icons as Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross and in more recent times, Babyface. For, like all three, Johnta brings the skill of his honed penmanship to his work as a recording artist. Indeed, if Gaye – one of Johnta's musical influences – were around today cutting his groundbreaking "Let's Get It On" album, it might sound a little like Austin's auspicious debut in terms of lyrical content, smooth'n'sexy vocals and masterful production. The analogy is particular interesting: when asked if any artist or album provided the inspiration for OCEAN DRIVE, Johnta is quick to mention Gaye's 1973 masterpiece which he heard when he was just fifteen. Like Marvin and other 'triple threat' artists such as Babyface and R. Kelly, who write, produce and sing, Johnta describes himself as "a storyteller, writing songs that are lyrically relevant, without too many gimmicks."
