Get To Know Johntá Austin: Your Favorite Artist's Favorite Songwriter

Many may not know Johntá Austin by name, but many certainly know his work. For two decades, Austin has acted as the pen behind many of your favorite songs. From Mary J. Blige to Mariah Carey to Jennifer Hudson, Austin has helped many of the greatest acts in R&B take their talent and push it to the next level.

Adding on to his career as a musician, Austin also has notable television credits. In his lifetime, he's hosted a talk shows, produced content for CNN and appeared on one of the greatest late night shows in Black history.

In 2020, Austin finally received some of the credit he has rightfully deserved for some time when battled Ne-Yo in a Verzuz sponsored event. While many have known Ne-Yo for years, many were getting to know Austin for the first time. Full of life and personality, Austin shined on the internet's biggest stage. Still, there are some who may not know his work. For those of you who are still unfamiliar with his legacy, here are 10 things to know about your favorite singer's favorite songwriter, Johntá Austin.

1. Austin hosted his own television show on TBS at 8 years old.

Austin's star power was evident at a young age. At just 8 years old, he hosted his very own television show called Kid's Beat. He later hosted the CNN shows, Real News for Kids and Feed Your Mind.

2. He appeared on The Arsenio Hall Show at 13 years old.

Austin didn't simply appear on his own shows, but he appeared on others as well. At just 13 years old, he appeared on the legendary Arsenio Hall Show where he told the host that he wanted to sing one day. I guess he was on to something.

3. Austin earned his first songwriting credit in 1996.

Austin earned his first songwriting credit when Mona Lisa released "Can't Be Wasting My Time" in 1996. Early in his career, he worked with RCA Records. Unfortunately, he was dropped by the label, but would return to work with Tyrese on hits such as "Sweet Lady."

4. He worked with Aaliyah on what would become her posthumous album, I Care 4 U.

In the fall of 1999, Austin co-wrote Aaliyah's "Miss You" with Ginuwine and Teddy Bishop. The song was initially recorded for her self-titled album. However, the song was pushed to her posthumous album, I Care 4 U.

5. Austin Co-Wrote Mariah Carey's Hit Singles, "We Belong Together" and "Shake It Off."

In 2005, Austin achieved massive success with the release of Mariah Carey's The Emancipation of Mimi. He co-wrote some of the Carey's biggest hits from the album including "We Belong Together," "Don't Forget About Us," "It's Like That" and "Shake It Off."

6. Months after The Emancipation of Mimi, he co-wrote Mary J. Blige's "Be Without You" and "Every Time The Beat Drops" by Monica.

Austin delivered an incredible number of hits between 2005 and 2009. Just months after The Emancipation of Mimi was release, he co-wrote Mary J. Blige's "Be Without You" and Monica's "Every Time The Beat Drops." "Be Without You" is now certified double platinum. In 2017, Billboard called it the most successful R&B/Hip-Hop song of all-time. Monica's "Every Time The Beat Drops" rose to the top half of the Billboard Hot 100 in the same year.

7. In 2005, Austin co-wrote three of the biggest singles from Chris Brown's self-titled debut album.

In the same year that he co-wrote records for Mariah Carey and Mary J. Blige, Austin co-wrote three songs for an up and coming singer named Chris Brown. He co-wrote "Yo, Excuse Me Miss," "Poppin'" and produced "Without You" for the young artist. He later worked with Brown and Shad "Bow Wow" Moss on their joint album, The Price of Fame. He co-wrote "Shortie Like Mine" and "Outta My System."

8. He was the supervising music producer for the FOX series, Star.

For three seasons, Austin worked alongside Lee Daniels, Luke James and Ryan Destiny as the supervising music producer for FOX's Star. Despite being cancelled in 2019, the show earned four Teen Choice Awards and two GLAAD Media Awards.

9. Austin is one of the few songwriters to have co-written songs with both Whitney Houston and Janet Jackson.

Austin sits among rare company. The singer-songwriter is one of the few musicians to have co-written songs with both Whitney Houston and Janet Jackson. In 2006, Austin co-wrote "With U" alongside Seal, Jermaine Dupri, Janet Jackson, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Three years later, he assisted Whitney Houston on "Call You Tonight" from her final studio album, I Look To You.

10. Austin won the "Song of the Decade" award at the ASCAP 23rd Annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards.

In 2010, Austin received one of the music's greatest honors. At the 23rd Annual ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Awards, he won the "Song of the Decade" award for "We Belong Together." The song spent 14 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 charts and won two Grammys.

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