October 10, 2005 @ 12:00 am

Johnta Austin - Love Interrupted

by: Sonia Murray

Born and bred in Atlanta, Johnta (pronounced john-TAY) watched from the sidelines as hometown products Usher and 112 shot past him to superstardom. But please don’t think he’s looking for sympathy. True, it’s been more than a decade since Austin got his first record deal with RCA and served as cohost of the CNN children’s series Real News for Kids, but he hasn’t exactly spent his time in limbo doing nothing. He’s been busy writing hits for other folks, including Tyrese’s “Sweet Lady,” Aaliyah’s “Miss You,” and Mariah Carey’s “We Belong Together.” Austin’s become a very successful man while waiting for his break.

Ironically, Austin has Tyrese to thank for both his fortune and misfortune. Once RCA tapped the chiseled R&B sensation to be its star, Austin was handed a pink slip. Hurt by the decision, he wiped his tears with the five-figure check he got for crafting “Sweet Lady” and moved on. Impressed by Austin’s talents during their collaboration on the Carey record, Dupri eventually signed him to So So Def/Virgin earlier this year. “As far as young R&B artists go, there’s nobody out there who’s on Johnta’s level mentally,” says Dupri. “His style is grown and sexy, but the hardheads can still relate.” On his debut, Ocean Drive, Austin’s breezy tenor flows over a bevy of mid-tempo grooves that champion seduction.The lead single, “Lil’ More Love,” underlines his affinity for romance with its spare, percussive sway and sweet plea for some of that “in-the-middle-of-the-night love.”

And for all their similarities — A-town-repping heartthrobs who sing alluring Dupri-produced R&B — Austin waves off any comparisons to Usher. “The worst thing an artist can do is try to be like someone else,” he says. “Instead of evolving, you get stuck trying to be the next whoever. All I want right now is to be the first Johnta Austin.” Sorry it took so long.

Do you want VIBE delivered to your home or office? CLICK HERE.

Article tags: Johnta Austin, Love Interrupted, Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri, Tyrese, Ocean Drive, Aaliyah 

del.icio.us digg Furl Reddit YahooMyWeb

Page printed from:
http://www.vibe.com/music/next/2005/10/johnta_austin_love_interrupted/

Return to previous page