On September 4, singer/songwriter Johnta Austin will release his debut album, Ocean Drive. After winning two consecutive Grammy Awards, and having penned hits for artists such as Mary J. Blige and Mariah Carey, Johnta Austin is here to show the world he is a star in the making.  

On T-Pain:

“I think T-Pain is hip-hop, I think T-Pain is R&B, and I think T-Pain is black culture.” 

RTNY: What made you decide to get into the music industry?

J.A.: At first I wanted to be a doctor, I don’t know how I got off track from that; but I’ve just always been a fan of music. Ever since I was younger and being in the house listening to music I started writing songs….and that’s how it all started. 

RTNY: How did you get your big break?

J.A.: Well you know it’s crazy. Before I got into the music industry I was doing a kid television show. We were on the Arsenio Hall Show and Arsenio asked me if I wanted to do anything else, so I sang. I got a call and from that I got a record deal which I later lost. I was actually replaced by Tyrese at RCA Records, but several months later I got an oppurtunity to write a song for Tyrese which was “Sweet Lady”. So “Sweet Lady” was my introduction, or should I say my invitation to stick around the music industry.

RTNY: You’ve got an incredible track record, tell the readers some of your song credits.

J.A.: Well….Tyrese’s “Sweet Lady”; Chris Brown’s “On and Poppin and “Yo”; Mariah Carey’s “Don’t Forget About Us”, “Shake It Off, and “We Belong Together”; Bow Wow’s “Shorty Like Mine”; and Mary J. Blige’s “Be Without You”.

RTNY: What do you think of R&B newcomers Ne-Yo, Chris Brown, and Bobby Valentino?

J.A.: New blood. I think new blood is always good and I appreciate what each of them is bringing to the game. Chris Brown brings alot of energy, and it’s been awhile since we’ve seen a new artist have the success he’s had with each of his singles. Bobby Valentino is a fellow ATL native, so you know I appreciate what he’s doing and how he’s repping for our city. And Ne-Yo was doing his thing with the pen for other artists and now he’s doing it for himself. So I appreciate what everybody brings to the game because I’m a fan of music first and foremost.

RTNY: Do you consider what T-Pain does R&B?

J.A.: Sure. I think hip-hop music has crossed over and crossed all boundaries. When you hear somebody like a Nelly Furtado or Fergie rapping on their albums, that’s hip-hop and black culture that has now crossed over into pop music. So I think T-Pain is hip-hop, I think T-Pain is R&B, and I think T-Pain is black culture.

RTNY: You’re a singer, songwriter, and producer. Is that how you plan on setting yourself apart from other artists?

J.A.: Yes, I definitely think that helps me. I’m not a dancer like Chris Brown or Usher, but I have my own style and version of storytelling that I think will set me apart from other artists also.

RTNY: You’ve worked with so many talented artists, who was your favorite and why?

J.A.: I’ve worked with so many, it would be hard to pick a favorite. I could tell you stories about me and Mary J. Blige, but I can also tell you stories about me and Mariah, and I also have rare stories of the late Aaliyah. So it’s kind of hard to pick a favorite because I love every experience and I enjoy being around people who have the same mentality as mine when it comes to making music.

RTNY: You’re a hell of a songwriter. Do you ever feel the pressure to outdo your last hit?

J.A.: Never man, and I appreciate the compliment. That’s a conversation I was having with Usher, I told him we can’t try to top Confessions statistically, but we can top it creatively. As creative people we can only make albums by how we feel and hope people are feeling the same way we are.

RTNY: Speaking in regards to songwriting: Do you ever get writer’s block?

J.A.: Never. I’m very fortunate and thankful to GOD that I’ve never had to deal with that. I know alot of creative people who encountered that, but when I step in the studio I have faith in GOD and the ability he has blessed me with.

RTNY: Your new album is titled, Ocean Drive. What’s the meaning behind that?

J.A.: It’s the name of a really fun strip down in Miami, it’s like a get away from reality type of strip. And that’s what we want Ocean Drive to be; it’s a love making album, a breakup album, and a being in love album. It’s fun and fresh, and everything we think of when we think of Ocean Drive in Miami.

RTNY: Who are some of the producers and features on the album?

J.A.: Well, Jermaine carried most of the workload. But some of the additional producers are Jazze Pha, Bryan Michael Cox, and Teddy Bishop - who are all producers I’ve worked with for other artists, so they’re family. I also have DJ Unk on the first single, “Video” and a duet with Mary J. Blige called “Hood Love”.

RTNY: Album sells aren’t what they used to be in the music industry. Do you feel any added pressure to sell records?

J.A.: Not at all. But I think it’s a combination of album sells not being what they use to be along with albums themselves not being what they use to be. Alot of people have a  one hit mentality; I have a bangin first single, but I have absolutely nothing to follow that bangin first single up with. So I’m going to get mad when my album doesn’t sell 3 million records off of one single. Usher’s Confessions  10 million records; he put out “Yeah”, than he put out “Burn”, and then he put out “My Boo”, and then “Caught Up”. So it’s like of course people are going to buy his album because he’s giving you hits, it’s not a one hit type of thing. One hit single is not enough when people have the option to buy that one single for 99cents. So if you’re giving them hits, they’re going to spend they’re $13.00 with you because you’re giving them jams.

RTNY: You’ve won two Grammy awards, how’s it like receiving such an award?

J.A.: I felt blessed and thankful to GOD. It was just a wonderful feeling, and I will say this: When I do music, I don’t do it for the Grammys, but I would be lying if I told you it wasn’t a great feeling getting one.

RTNY: At 26, you’re pretty much an accomplished star, what’s the key to your success?

J.A.: A strong faith in GOD, and I don’t take myself too seriously. I think more success comes when you except it and move on to the next opportunity.

RTNY: What’s your long term goal as an artist and person?

J.A.: As an artist: Well, let’s see how Ocean Drive pans out, but I definitely want to have my own artist, maybe branch out and get into television and film. And as a person: Just try to be a better person to those that are closes to me.

RTNY: Any shoutouts before we end?

J.A.: Yes, to all the fans: Thanks for supporting all of the records I’ve done for other artists. And on September 4, the wait is over.

End of interview.

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 19th, 2007 at 8:04 pm and is filed under Interviews.