Cri$tyle

As her nickname "The Ink" implies, Atlanta native Cri$tyle Johnson is the scribe responsible for some of the biggest hits of the past two years. After a few false starts as a performer, Johnson realized her music industry dream in a way she never expected, as a songwriter signed to Jermaine Dupri's Dieniahmar Publishing. Recently Cri$tyle has had placements with everyone from newcomers Keke Palmer, Tiffany Evans, and Teyanna Taylor as well as established luminary divas like Natasha Bedingfield, Jennifer Lopez, Janet Jackson, Beyonce and Mariah Carey – Cri$tyle is responsible for three of Mariah's singles in 2008, "Touch My Body," "Loving U Long Time," and "Side Effects." ASCAP's Walter Jones caught up with Cri$tyle recently to talk about what's next for the hardworking writer

What have you been working on recently?
My most recent project is Natasha Bedingfield's album Pocket Full of Sunshine. It's actually the US release of her #1 selling album overseas. She added three or four new songs and the song I did, "Angel," just so happened to be the second single. From my understanding it debuted at #3, which is big for her first US release. I think people love the fact that she can really sing. She has a very soulful voice. I also wrote the first single for Pharrell's new artist, Teyanna Taylor. It's called "Google Me." Then of course I have the new single on Mariah Carey. It's called "Touch My Body."

What are you planning to work on next?
Well, I'm working on records for Beyonce and Brandy right now. Also I'll be in LA with Jazze Pha working on records for the Pussycat Dolls and Girlicious.

What was your first project as a musician that you really felt was important?
Actually, every time I get an opportunity to work on a project, I feel like it's the most important thing in the world. And I treat it that way for a reason. It keeps me focused and grounded. That way I won't go around thinking "Aww this aint a big deal." When you start thinking like that, you start working like that. However, Mariah Carey's project was probably the MOST important.

Who do you look to as a mentor in your career, and what have they helped you to learn?
Wow, that's a long list. Actually, I have different mentors for separate reasons. Vocally, I look up to the usual people, Mariah, Gladys Knight, Beyonce, and Brandy. All of them are incredibly strong vocalists with different styles. I don't know how, but somehow I can sound like any one of them when I want to. The fact that I study these "instruments" (I like to call them) expanded my range so now I can sing just about anything. Lyrically, I look up to Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Diane Warren and Babyface. These are some of the greatest writers in the history of music in my opinion so studying their work helps me write about the "normal" things in a way that most people don't think of saying. I learned to use wordplay. See, I told you I had a list. But really, I thank God for all of these people, without them I'd probably be super whack.