"The Official Atozzio Page"

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
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2 MUCH "KNOCKOUT" slideshow
.. Bayje Find A Way