The power of the pen creates the greatest string of words and phrases
for any writer to weave together. The melodic rhythms words generate
have the ability to touch hearts, souls and minds alike. To write is
a gift and Jacksonville, Florida native Atozzio has such a talent. As
a youth, his mother told him that his unique name meant "great king."
When he later learned this wasn't the case, he created his own meaning
reflective of his passion and purpose. With his debut album on Warner
Bros. Records, Atozzio looks to express through lyric and song what he
has embraced his name to represent and himself to be, "a breath of
fresh air. I am the savior of music."
Inspired by everyone from Donnie Hathaway and Marvin Gaye to Joe and
R. Kelly, twenty-three year old Atozzio has been singing since the age
of 5 and writing songs since he was 14 years old. Atozzio honed his
writing and vocal skills throughout junior high and high school
singing in groups and his city choir, Ritz Voices of Jacksonville.
The choir director worked with legendary musicians including Luther
Vandross, Roberta Flack and Peabo Bryson and trained the young
wunderkinds in the genres of gospel, classical and contemporary music.
Atozzio and the choir performed with everyone from Gerald Austin to
Barry Manilow, even appearing in a regional McDonald's commercial.
Although Atozzio took his music seriously, he made a few choices that
led to trouble, forcing him to leave home and move around as a
teenager. Disenchanted with opportunities to fully express his
creativity in his hometown, a meeting with Isaac Hayes gave him the
encouragement he was looking for. "He told me to continue to believe
in what you do and who you are and you'll find yourself in a place you
didn't expect. That always stuck with me."
Atozzio left the choir during his senior year of high school and upon
graduation enrolled in the Navy at the age of eighteen. A chance
viewing of American Idol witnessing an enlisted officer granted
permission to pursue his singing aspirations fueled Atozzio to seek
support from his sergeants, who didn't respond favorably. It wasn't
long before Atozzio literally went AWOL in hot pursuit of his dreams.
His longtime producer, and friend Maddscientist, had an opportunity
for Atozzio to write for an Atlanta based group under super-producer
Jazze Pha's Sho'Nuff Records. The rest is fast becoming history in
the making.
By September 2006, Atozzio witnessed the birth of his first child and
made a move to Hot-Lanta in full musical pursuit. Although the
Sno'Nuff group's project was postponed indefinitely, Atozzio's song
"Superstar" gained some local and virtual traction via myspace.
Maddscientist continued to extend his network to Atozzio while he
researched and studied the industry game. "You have to use your
street sense in this industry. By the summer of 2006, Atozzio met EMI
Publishing executive Mike Jackson who took an interest in his writing
style and soon after, another chance meeting with Warner Chappell
publishing exec Chris Hicks led to his interest in Atozzio. A bidding
war ensued for the young man with tremendous talent and ability, with
EMI Publishing winning the battle in December 2006.
Inspired by his new opportunity, Atozzio penned an inspirational track
with spiritual undertones entitled "Kryptonite." In the Bible, women
were the weakness of King David and his son Solomon. "Kryptonite" was
Atozzio's reaction to "being a saved man of God and battling with
women because they're his weakness." Atozzio's manager at the time
was shopping an artist deal for the songwriter/singer/performer.
Rodney Jerkins quickly scooped him for his own Darkchild imprint, but
once "Kryptonite" was recorded by J Records artist Mario, the
Darkchild deal went south. Atozzio quickly recovered penning songs
for Chris Brown ("Mama"), Jesse McCartney ("Relapse"), New Kids on the
Block ("Officially Over"), Bayje (Find A Way, Every Bit Of My Heart),
Dave Hollister (I Know I Can) and Keke Palmer ("Friend Me Up").
By March 2008 at the annual EMI conference where writers, producers
and A&R's convene, Atozzio met songwriter and Warner Bros. A&R Kara
DioGuardi who Atozzio professes "saw my vision of artistry." The ink
on the deal was dry by May 2008 and Atozzio began recording his debut.
Describing his style and sound as simply "innovative," mixing R&B,
house, fusion and pop, Atozzio wants his music to be relatable. "I
want the fans to feel the passion, the pain, the happiness, the joy,
all of that. I'm an artist all day long and I have a message to give
to the world."
As things are coming together for Atozzio professionally, personally
his life has turned around as well, citing a reconciliation with his
mom, who he now calls his best friend the two have become closer in
his adult years. Atozzio desires to use his experiences, share his
light and be a light for everyone to witness. "I don't want it to just
be about my music, but how I made a difference in the world. I want
my legacy to exist as a humanitarian in terms of giving an opportunity
and giving a chance by giving back to the world, giving God to the
world and giving people a chance at a better life." Just like his
name represents, Atozzio has come to be a savior.
2 MUCH IN STUDIO MAKING HOLLA AT YO BOY
2 MUCH "KNOCKOUT" slideshow
Bayje Find A Way
