Big Baby

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Deandre “Big Baby” Johnson was primarily raised in the church as young a child, playing drums at the age of three in hopes of following in the footsteps of his older cousin. Today, this same cousin would grow into the phenomenal musician known as Buddy Strong, an international keyboardist playing for artists such as Usher Raymond, Byron Cage, Israel, and many more. His cousin’s talent and success would also drive Deandre to continue his musical career. After playing for the church for many years, he began looking to pick up another skill. Eager to learn, “I wanted to try another instrument, and the organ was very challenging,” says Johnson, recalling his first days. “I had to learn to play with my foot as my bass pedals, and my chord progressions with my right and left hands.”

After accomplishing such feats, Deandre found further interest in learning to read music. His ability to play by ear helped him to excel quickly, attending the prestigious Musical Magnet Program at South Mountain High School in Phoenix, AZ. As a junior in high school, Deandre turned his interest to recording music, saving for equipment and gathering a few friends with similar hopes to do the same. “My first keyboard was a Casio, and that’s how I started producing. We had a name for ourselves, the Backyard Records.”

As his graduation was approaching, Johnson was graced with a gift from his older cousin, Buddy Strong. “I became really good as a senior. My cousin Buddy gave me his keyboard because he saw the potential in my music and how I wanted to elevate to another level.”

Deandre has many talents, not only had he excelled as a musician, but upon his graduation from high school, he received a scholarship to play football for Arizona State University. Big Baby would continue making music and began to work with fellow teammates Nathan Kimborough, and Tyrice Thompson. Tyrice “Rees” Thompson and Nathan “Nasty” Kimbrough created a group known as the Black Notes, and would work with Big Baby in the studio, creating songs, and mastering his craft. Their close relationship on the football field translated into great chemistry in the studio.

After attending Arizona State for 3 years, Deandre transferred to Northern Arizona University where he met another producer by the name of “Nigal” who would introduce him to Propellerhead’s Reason production software platform, which he immediately fell in love with. Big Baby went on to begin selling his production as well as producing for Jazelle Paris. After his football career was over, Big Baby returned to Phoenix and reunited with The Backyard Records, which later became 1Double0 Entertainment.

“I partnered with CEO Marcus Dossie and we built a studio of our own. We got it up and running and I started learning how to record music using Nuendo and later, Protools in addition to being a producer. I really developed my skills working with the local talent coming through the studio at that time.”

In Phoenix, Deandre reconnected with Nate Jetson and Rees, forming a group with talented writer and artist Damon “Dame Luke” Lucas, and David “Nu Dae” Edmonds, phenomenal producer, composer, and singer (who is currently signed to his uncle, Babyface’s record label). They also collaborated with soulful songstress Cherry Brown (currently singing overseas in a production in China). The group would go on to form Galaxxy, a unique group that gained some notoriety during its short run, even being featured on the front page of hip hop website Global Grind. “We came up with our own style of music,” Johnson explains. “We mixed soul with rap, pop with rock, and r&b all in one.”

During live performances, the group enlisted the help of their original live band, the G-Heads, which consisted of an electric guitar, bass guitar, four keyboardists and a drummer. Big Baby organized and conducted this musical ensemble, which made a live show so special. Galaxxy and The G Heads, with their electric performances, went on to place in multiple competitions throughout the state, winning an Arizona State University talent show, and placing second in Amare Stoudemire’s “Chosen 1 Record Deal Competition”.