Johntá Austin

Johntá Austin
Austin in 2019
Background information
Birth name	Johntá Moore Austin
Born	(1980-06-28)June 28, 1980 Atlanta,Georgia,U.S.
Genres	R&B
Occupations	Singer-songwriter record producer
Years active	1995–present
Labels	So So Def Island Urban Music Island Def Jam
Formerly of	Ocean's 7 the Characters
Website	johntaaustin.com

Johntá Moore Austin(/dʒɒnˈteɪ/jon-TAY;born June 28, 1980) is an American singer-songwriter. He is best known for his production and songwriting work on hometown nativeJermaine Dupri's record label,So So Def Recordingsduring the mid-2000s.

As a recording artist, Austin signed with the label prior to his guest appearance on Dupri's 2005 single "Gotta Getcha",which entered theBillboardHot 100.The following year, his guest performance alongsideChris Brownon labelmateBow Wow's 2006 single "Shortie Like Mine"peaked within the top ten of the chart; the following year, his appearance alongsideT-Painon Bow Wow's single, "Outta My System"peaked within the top 40. As a lead artist, Austin released a number of singles—including"Turn It Up"in 2005—in promotion for his debut studio albumOcean Drive,which was never released.

As a staff songwriter for So So Def, Austin's songwriting credits often accompanied Dupri's production, while he also collaborated with producerBryan-Michael Coxand the duoStarGate.He won two Grammy Awards for his work on the songs "We Belong Together"byMariah Careyand "Be Without You"byMary J. Blige.

Early life and career

Austin grew up inAtlanta.In 1989 at the age of 8, Austin hosted the daily television show,Kid's BeatonTBS.Covering current events, sports and the entertainment world, Austin went on to become the Atlanta Bureau Chief for theCNNweekly news program,Real News for Kidsand the reporter for the TBS half-hour weekly,Feed Your Mind.Austin is also related toDreamville RecordssigneeJ.i.D.

Austin grew up singing in church choirs and wanted to become an actor. He interviewed celebrities includingMichael JacksonandMichael Jordan,among others, and in 1993 he made his television debut onThe Arsenio Hall Show.On the show he said he loved singing and was asked to sing withArsenio Hall's band.

Songwriting

1996–2004

Austin's first professional credit as a songwriter was the 1996 single "Can't Be Wasting My Time"for singerMona Lisa.

Austin was signed in the mid-late 1990s toRCA Recordsbefore being dropped in favor of R&B singerTyrese Gibson.However, he ended up writing a few songs for him (including the hit "Sweet Lady") as well as writing for other artists.

In 1998, Austin co-wrote the single "Miss You",which was originally intended for release on Aaliyah's self-titled third studio album (2001). However, following the singer’s untimely death in August of 2001, the track was ultimately included on the posthumously released compilation album,I Care 4 U(2002) alongside other Austin-penned songs "All I Need", "Come Over", and "Don't Worry". Austin co-wrote "Just Be a Man About It"forThe Heat,the third studio album forToni Braxton.

2005–2009

Austin co-wroteMariah Carey's hit 2005 singles, "We Belong Together","Don't Forget About Us","It's Like That",and"Shake It Off"from her albumThe Emancipation of Mimi.

"We Belong Together" stayed at number one for fourteen non-consecutive weeks, becoming the second longest-running number one song in US chart history at the time, behind Carey's 1996 collaboration with Boyz II Men on "One Sweet Day" (both songs have since been surpassed byLil Nas XandBilly Ray Cyrus' 2019 hit single "Old Town Road",which spent 19 weeks in the number one position at its peak)." We Belong Together "won Grammys for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song.

In that same year, Austin also co-wroteMary J. Blige's single "Be Without You"from her No. 1 selling CDThe BreakthroughandMonica's single "Everytime Tha Beat Drop"from her albumThe Makings of Me.He is also featured as a guest artist on Jermaine Dupri's 2005 song, "Gotta Getcha"and is credited as co-writer on several songs onChris Brown'sself-titled debut albumin 2005, such as "Yo (Excuse Me Miss)"and"Poppin'".He also co-wrote"With You"for Chris Brown and" Can I Call You "fromMarques Houston's debut albumMHin 2003.

Austin produced and was featured on the songs "Shortie Like Mine"and"Outta My System",both singles by rapperBow Wowoff his albumThe Price of Fame.Both of the songs were successful, "Shortie Like Mine" reaching number nine, and "Outta My System" reaching number 14 on theBillboardHot 100.

Austin co-wrote "Still"by Canadian singerTamia,found on her 2004 release,More,"This Song" byLeToya Luckett,found on her 2006 debut,LeToya,He also co-wrote "My Heart" onJennifer Hudson's self-titled debut albumJennifer Hudson(2008).

In 2007, Austin co-wrote "Can't Help but Wait"byTrey Songzfor his second studio album,Trey Day.The song was nominated for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards. Austin continuing his work with Trey Songz in 2009 and would go on to executive produce and write on his next albumReady.Austin wrote "One Love" with his musical partnerBryan Michael-Cox.Austin also co-wrote "I Need A Girl"which saw radio success reaching No. 6 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Song chart.

2010–present

In 2010, Austin co-wrote the song "Foolin Around" withJermaine Dupriand Bryan Michael-Cox forUsher's Grammy award-winning albumRaymond v. Raymond.Also, he co-wrote the song "Never Let You Go" for Justin Bieber's debut albumMy World 2.0.He executive produced and sang background vocal onPassion, Pain & Pleasure,the fourth studio album of Trey Songz.

On June 25, 2010, in Los Angeles, California, at theASCAP23rd annual Rhythm & Soul music awards, Austin received the prestigious “Song of the Decade” award for his work on "We Belong Together" byMariah Carey,alongside fellow producerJermaine Dupriand songwriter Manuel Seal. He is currently a recurring character on the Fox show Star (2016) alongside hip hop legendQueen Latifah.

Solo career

After achieving success writing for other artists, Austin began work on his full-length debut albumOcean Driveon So So Def/Virgin Records. His first single "Lil' More Love" was released on June 7, 2005.It was followed by the release of "Dope Fiend" on November 29 later that year.While the album's first two singles failed to achieve radio/chart success, the label released a third single "Turn It Up" on July 11, 2006along with aJadakiss-added version in November.

A fourth single, "Video" featuringUnkwas released a year later on July 31, 2007.Following the departure of So So Def Recordings fromVirgin RecordsforIsland Def Jamin 2007, the album was pushed back from a February 6, 2007, release to a September 4 release.A final single, the ballad "The One That Got Away" was released in 2008, before the album was eventually shelved.

In 2010, Austin released a digital single "Close Your Eyes".

In 2012, Austin announced the upcoming release of the "Love" EP, part 1 of a three-part release with the subsequent "Sex" and "Religion" EPs to follow. "Love" EP was released on December 12 preceded by the buzz single "What a Feeling" featuring Jermaine Dupri.

Discography

Studio albums

• 2008:Ocean Drive(Shelved)
• 2019:Love, Sex, & Religion

EPs

• 2012:Love

Singles

Year	Single	Peak charts		Album
		US	US R&B
2005	"Lil' More Love"	—	—	Ocean Drive (Shelved)
	"Dope Fiend"	—	—
2006	"Turn It Up"(featuringJermaine Dupri)	—	48
2007	"Video"(featuringDJ Unk)	—	—
2008	"The One That Got Away"	—	94
2011	"Close Your Eyes"	—	—	Love, Sex, & Religion

Featured singles

Year	Single	Artist	Chart positions			Album
			US	US R&B	US Rap
2005	"Gotta Getcha"	Jermaine Dupri	60	31	15	Young, Fly & Flashy, Vol. 1
2006	"Shortie Like Mine"	Bow Wow(also feat.Chris Brown)	9	9	1	The Price of Fame
	"Outta My System"	Bow Wow(also feat.T-Pain)	22	12	2
2009	"You Can Get It All"	Bow Wow	55	30	9	New Jack City II
2010	"Shawty Wus Up"	Dondria(also feat.Diamond)	—	66	—	Dondria vs. Phatfffat
2022	"Better Days"	JID	–	–	–	The Forever Story

External links

• Official Def Jam page
• Official websiteArchivedFebruary 4, 2012, at theWayback Machine