Role Record Producer Name Watts Watts | ||
Austin Garrick, also known as Watts, is a Canadian record producer, songwriter, musician and composer from Toronto, Ontario. He has produced for artists such as Ghostface Killah, Redman, Method Man, and Joe Budden. He is one half of synth-pop duo Electric Youth (alongside childhood girlfriend Bronwyn Griffin), who first rose to prominence upon the release of their song "A Real Hero", from the acclaimed soundtrack of the motion picture Drive.
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Early life and career
Watts grew up in the Oakwood-Vaughan neighbourhood of Toronto. He was born to a Vincentian, musician father and a Polish-born mother (of Greek and Russian descent), a doctor. His father, who was a drummer in the reggae band Messenjah, taught him how to play drums when he was two years old, and professionally by the age of five. Nicknamed "Stixs", he would perform around Toronto regularly, opening for reggae band Third World at the age of seven and in front of a crowd of over 50,000 at the Rogers Centre alongside Nelson Mandela, at the age of 12. After his parents got divorced, he started making beats as an alternative to performing.
When Watts became serious about a career as a record producer, he made several trips to New York City. He dropped out of high school in the 11th Grade after a meeting with producer/DJ Kevin "K-Cut" McKenzie (of the legendary group Main Source). In New York, K-Cut took Watts under his wing and taught him about making great records, and the music business in the U.S. He later worked with Rashad "Ringo" Smith under the Tumblin' Dice Productions label.