photo by steed media service

With the current onslaught of songwriters who find fame and stardom as they evolve into full-fledged recording artists, it's only right that the originator show the newcomers precisely how it's done. After penning such hits as Tyrese's "Sweet Lady," Mary J. Blige's "Be Without You," and Mariah Carey's "We Belong Together," So So Def recording artist Johnta Austin is ready to show the world his true worth with his debut album, Ocean Drive.

"I've been writing for 12 years, so I've had 12 years of training and rehearsing," Austin explains. "I look at myself as a player coach, so I know how to tell somebody what to do for themselves and I'm able to apply the same things to my own artistry."

In addition to being honored by the Georgia Music Hall of Fame for his triumphs in songwriting, Austin has also put the finishing touches on Ocean Drive, which includes the new single "Video" featuring Unk. With the transformation that Austin has made from creating hits for superstars to crafting hits for himself, he still believes that each individual's success comes from within.

"When a writer writes, you kind of write from personal experiences or something that you have gone through," he shares. "When you look at artists we want to look at them as superstars, but we also want to look at them as people we can relate to. That's a good way to relate to an artist when they [open] that window into their soul." - jason thompson

Share this article with a friend