Olivia (singer)
Encyclopedia
Olivia Theresa Longott (born February 15, 1981), professionally known as Olivia, is an American R&B
singer and rapper
.
, and Indian descent.
She studied music at Bayside High School (New York City)
, in Queens and began her performing career in her teenage.
J Records
. Her self-titled debut album Olivia was released in 2001 and featured the singles "Bizounce" which made #15 on the charts, and "Are U Capable". The album debuted at #55 on the Billboard 200
.
. She contributed vocals to the group's debut album Beg for Mercy
and to 50 Cent
's The Massacre
, including the album's number-one single "candy shop
".
Her first solo single released via G-Unit Records
was "Twist It
", featuring fellow G-Unit member Lloyd Banks
, followed up by "So Sexy" in summer 2005. Both songs failed to debut on the charts due to little promotion. Olivia briefly attended Hofstra University
in New York and planned her second album, Behind Closed Doors, which was originally slated for a 2005 release on Interscope and G-Unit Records
. Around the same time, Olivia contributed vocals to Shaggy's single "Wild 2Nite
" which debuted at number 61 on the UK charts.
Olivia released her single, "Best Friend
", featuring 50 Cent
in 2006.
had parted ways, therefore her second studio album Behind Closed Doors was shelved. However, the album has since been released as a mixtape available for download on several websites. Since then Olivia has hired an acting coach and been auditioning for both television and film. She will make her acting debut in the film Conspiracy X directed by Shawn Barker.
In 2009, Olivia did a feature for Congolese singer Fally Ipupa on his song "Chaise Electrique". On April 12, 2011 she released her first music video for "December" the first single off of her new album. The single "December" wasn't a commercial success.
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
singer and rapper
Rapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
.
Early life
Raised in New York City, Longott is of Puerto RicanPuerto Rican
A Puerto Rican is a person who was born in Puerto Rico.Puerto Ricans born and raised in the continental United States are also sometimes referred to as Puerto Ricans, although they were not born in Puerto Rico...
, and Indian descent.
She studied music at Bayside High School (New York City)
Bayside High School (New York City)
Bayside High School is a four-year public high school located in Bayside, in the New York City borough of Queens, administered by the New York City Department of Education. Bayside High School, Abraham Lincoln High School, Samuel J...
, in Queens and began her performing career in her teenage.
J Records (2000–2002)
In 2000, she became the first artist signed to Clive DavisClive Davis
Clive Davis is an American record producer and music industry executive. He has won five Grammy Awards and is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer. From 1967 to 1973 he was the President of Columbia Records. He was the founder and president of Arista Records from 1975...
J Records
J Records
J Records was an American record label, owned and operated by Sony Music Entertainment, and was distributed through the RCA Music Group.-Company history:...
. Her self-titled debut album Olivia was released in 2001 and featured the singles "Bizounce" which made #15 on the charts, and "Are U Capable". The album debuted at #55 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
.
G-Unit Records (2004–2007)
In 2004, Olivia re-emerged as the first woman signed to G-Unit RecordsG-Unit Records
G-Unit Records is an American record label, specializing in hip hop music, founded in 2003 by rapper 50 Cent and his manager Sha Money XL. Upon its inception, it operated as a subsidiary of, and was distributed through, Universal Music Group's Interscope Records...
. She contributed vocals to the group's debut album Beg for Mercy
Beg for Mercy
Beg for Mercy is the debut album by hip hop group G-Unit, composed of rappers 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, and Young Buck, with support from Tony Yayo. The album was released in November 2003, 10 months after 50 Cent's debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin....
and to 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
's The Massacre
The Massacre
The Massacre is the second studio album by American rapper 50 Cent, released March 3, 2005 on Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records in the United States. Its initially planned release was pushed five days ahead to avoid Internet leakage. The album debuted at number 1 on the U.S. Billboard...
, including the album's number-one single "candy shop
Candy Shop
"Candy Shop" is the second single by rapper 50 Cent from his second commercial album The Massacre . It features R&B singer Olivia, and was written by 50 Cent....
".
Her first solo single released via G-Unit Records
G-Unit Records
G-Unit Records is an American record label, specializing in hip hop music, founded in 2003 by rapper 50 Cent and his manager Sha Money XL. Upon its inception, it operated as a subsidiary of, and was distributed through, Universal Music Group's Interscope Records...
was "Twist It
Twist It
"Twist It" is the first single from Olivia's G-Unit debut Behind Closed Doors. The song also features rapper Lloyd Banks. The song wasn't a big success therefore the album was constantly pushed back. "Twist It" peaked at number 114 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart but didn't stay up...
", featuring fellow G-Unit member Lloyd Banks
Lloyd Banks
Christopher Charles Lloyd , better known by his stage name Lloyd Banks, is an American rapper and member of the rap group G-Unit. Raised in South Jamaica, Queens, he dropped out of high school in 1998. G-Unit released two albums, Beg for Mercy in 2003 and T.O.S. in 2008...
, followed up by "So Sexy" in summer 2005. Both songs failed to debut on the charts due to little promotion. Olivia briefly attended Hofstra University
Hofstra University
Hofstra University is a private, nonsectarian institution of higher learning located in the Village of Hempstead, New York, United States, about east of New York City: less than an hour away by train or car...
in New York and planned her second album, Behind Closed Doors, which was originally slated for a 2005 release on Interscope and G-Unit Records
G-Unit Records
G-Unit Records is an American record label, specializing in hip hop music, founded in 2003 by rapper 50 Cent and his manager Sha Money XL. Upon its inception, it operated as a subsidiary of, and was distributed through, Universal Music Group's Interscope Records...
. Around the same time, Olivia contributed vocals to Shaggy's single "Wild 2Nite
Wild 2nite
"Wild 2nite" is the lead single from Jamacian rapper Shaggy's sixth studio album, Clothes Drop. The song features guest vocals from Olivia. The song was released on September 5, 2005, and peaked at #61 on the UK Singles Chart...
" which debuted at number 61 on the UK charts.
Olivia released her single, "Best Friend
Best Friend (50 Cent song)
"Best Friend" by 50 Cent is the third single released from the soundtrack of the film Get Rich or Die Tryin and the remix featuring Olivia is the third single from her album, Behind Closed Doors.-Background:...
", featuring 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
in 2006.
Universal Motown (2009–present)
In 2007, it was announced Olivia and G-Unit RecordsG-Unit Records
G-Unit Records is an American record label, specializing in hip hop music, founded in 2003 by rapper 50 Cent and his manager Sha Money XL. Upon its inception, it operated as a subsidiary of, and was distributed through, Universal Music Group's Interscope Records...
had parted ways, therefore her second studio album Behind Closed Doors was shelved. However, the album has since been released as a mixtape available for download on several websites. Since then Olivia has hired an acting coach and been auditioning for both television and film. She will make her acting debut in the film Conspiracy X directed by Shawn Barker.
In 2009, Olivia did a feature for Congolese singer Fally Ipupa on his song "Chaise Electrique". On April 12, 2011 she released her first music video for "December" the first single off of her new album. The single "December" wasn't a commercial success.
Discography
- 2001: Olivia
- 2012: Show the World
Mixtapes
- 2005: First Lady of G-Unit (Sampler EP)
- 2010: Under The Radar
- 2011: Love & Hip Hop (EP)