Johnny Balik

Johnny Balik, a soulful singer and songwriter, links the stylistic approaches of Ed Sheeran and Justin Timberlake. Originating from Toronto, this Chattanooga-based multi-instrumentalist cultivated an audience via social media by sharing both cover versions and original material. Following his 2015 single "The Meaning," he released the three tracks "My Perfect," "You Make Me Feel," and "You" throughout 2016. That summer a pivotal encounter with Pat, manager for Chance the Rapper, brought Balik into a Chicago studio alongside Peter Cottontale from Chance's collective the Social Experiment. Together they produced "I Need It," a piano-driven piece echoing Charlie Puth that merged his signature acoustic sentimentality with smoky soul textures. The track gained rapid online traction, approaching one million streams within weeks of its early 2017 release. Later that year he delivered "Made 2 Love U" and "OMW," then issued "Take My Hand" and "Honey" in 2018.