Dallas Austin

Dallas Austin is a Grammy Award-winning record producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and film producer recognized for his significant contributions to R&B, hip-hop, and pop music. Emerging from the Atlanta music scene, Austin became a key figure in the new jack swing movement and expanded into mainstream pop production. Beginning to play guitar and keyboards at age 7, Austin has produced more than 60 hit singles that debuted on the Billboard Hot 100, with over 20 songs reaching the Top 10.

Austin's early career featured landmark productions, including work with Boyz II Men on "Cooleyhighharmony" and TLC's quadruple-platinum album "Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip," co-writing Top 10 hits such as "Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg" and "What About Your Friends." He contributed to TLC's Grammy Award-winning album "CrazySexyCool," including the hit single "Creep." Austin also co-wrote and produced Madonna's single "Secret" for her album "Bedtime Stories" and co-produced Michael Jackson's songs "2 Bad" and "This Time Around" for the album "HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I." His collaborations with P!nk on "Can't Take Me Home" and "M!ssundaztood" produced several breakthrough singles.

Austin has been recognized as Billboard Producer of the Year and ranked first in Billboard's Top Ten R&B Songwriters of the Year. TLC's "Creep," produced by Austin, won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, and he received the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album for his work on TLC's "FanMail." In film and television, Austin served as executive producer for "Drumline," inspired by his own life, and produced the film "ATL," both reflecting his experiences in Georgia. His collaborative recording "The Urban Hymnal" won a Grammy Award for Best Roots Gospel Album.

Austin has been inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame and received the Music Innovator Icon Award at Black Music Honors. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters for his contributions to the arts. Austin established the Dallas Austin Foundation for Music Education to support creative youth programs in Atlanta and launched an artist-in-residence program at Georgia State University's Center for Creative Industries. He also wrote the official theme song for Atlanta. Austin's catalog spans genres and generations, establishing him as a prominent figure in American music and an advocate for emerging artists.