The Grammy-award winning producer grew his music career from Orlando and wants to give back to the community that raised him
By Michael Hull
ORLANDO - Ayo the Producer didn’t know he won his first Grammy.
Despite having tickets to the 2018 Grammy Awards, the Orlando-based producer decided to watch the awards show surrounded by friends and family at his hotel in Los Angeles. So, at the W Hotel with those he loved around him, Ayo watched as R&B duo Chloe x Halle walked on stage to announce the nominees and winner of Best Rap Album.
“And the Grammy goes to…”
Right at that moment, all the TVs in the hotel cut to black.
Confusion and panic set in, followed by the buzzing of phones.
“I’ll never forget my boy calling me, and he’s like ‘Yo, bro, how does it feel?’” Ayo said. “And I was like ‘How does what feel?’”
Austin Owens, aka Ayo the Producer, may not have fully believed it when his friend said he had won the award. Sure enough, though, the TVs came back on, and rapper Cardi B was giving her acceptance speech for her album “Invasion of Privacy,” which Ayo helped produce.
“It was super surreal but literally a priceless moment,” Ayo said.
Similar emotions surge through Ayo when he thinks about his newly announced partnership with the Orlando Magic.
“It’s almost just as special as a Grammy, being able to collaborate with your hometown team and connect with the players and just find new and create new ways for fans to connect with players,” Ayo said. “That’s what it’s all about.”
Ayo has worked with the Magic as part of the team’s 35th Anniversary Season to create custom music that will be featured throughout the gameday experience, both in-arena and on the Magic’s social channels.
Owens took a unique path to reach where he is today. An Orlando native, Ayo has never left the City Beautiful, making a name for himself in the music industry right in his hometown.
Insistent on giving back to the community that raised him, the six-time Grammy nominated producer now has a chance to impact a whole new group of people: basketball fans.
“It (Orlando) is really just one big melting pot, and I think that’s been able to help translate through the music,” Ayo said. “How can I impact not just one group of people, but many people… How can I give a helping hand the same way people have helped me over the years?”
A lifelong fan, Ayo was thrilled to partner with the Magic and wants to impact the city the same way the team has. He said he really got to know people within the organization last season, and everyone has welcomed him in.
“How can I just add my talents?” Ayo said. “Let’s elevate the experience in new ways… helping us enjoy what we all love most, which is the Orlando Magic.”
Ayo prides himself on being born and raised in Orlando, from his musical beginnings playing drums in his local church to starting to produce music while still at Lake Brantley High School. He began producing thanks to two friends, Mike and John, who were already making money in the business by leasing their beats online.
“That’s when I got super passionate about it,” Ayo said.
He would go to John’s house in high school to produce in his studio setup. Today, John and his brother still produce music, while Mike joined the army.
“It’s just crazy to start with these guys, and we’re still all doing it,” Ayo said.
The producer’s first big moment came in 2011, receiving a Grammy nomination for a song he worked on for Lil Wayne featuring Rick Ross. Ayo said the recognition proved to him that it was possible to succeed in the industry while staying local.
“We hear over and over… you’re not going to make it unless you go to a big city,” Ayo said. “Just trusting my gut and planting my roots… showing others, not only in Orlando, but all around the world, take those chances right where you’re at.”
Ayo’s family is a large part of his attachment to Orlando. His parents have always been supportive of his creative dreams, while his oldest brother, Michael, inspired him to be a producer: Before becoming a professor at the University of South Carolina, Michael produced music when he was younger.
Meanwhile, Ayo’s other brother continues to be an inspiration — Travis Owens has cerebral palsy, epilepsy and a learning delay. Despite doctors saying he would never be able to even ride a bike, Travis has his own production studio at his parents’ house and teaches himself how to make music.
“Family’s everything,” Ayo said.
Ayo has felt the support for his music career from more than just his family, as he said the people of Orlando have been there to encourage him over the years too.
As part of his collaboration with the Magic, Owens produced a remix of the original Orlando Magic theme song from 1989. The song has almost become an anthem for Magic fans over the last year after resurfacing online. The “Play the Song” rallying cry unites Orlando supporters around the world, and now Ayo has a chance to put his own spin on it.
“I’m just super excited,” Ayo said. “Not to come in and push away what’s been done before, but just help rewrite it and rebrand it and keep it alive.”
Fans will be able to hear the remixed theme song after every Magic win, whether in the Amway Center or on social media. Hopefully, they’ll be able to hear it quite a few times throughout the season.