Olivia (singer)
Olivia | |
|---|---|
 Olivia performing in 2007 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | O-Lovely, Lady O |
| Born | Olivia Theresa Longott February 15, 1981 New York City, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Labels | J (2000–2004) Interscope/G-Unit (2004–2007) Def Jam (2007–2008) Universal Motown (2008–2010) Universal Republic (2010–2012) Wonda Music |
| Formerly of | G-Unit |
Olivia Theresa Longott[1] (born February 15, 1981) is an American R&B singer. She is best known for performing with the hip hop group G-Unit and also formerly known as a cast member on the VH1 reality television series Love & Hip Hop: New York.
Early life
[edit]Olivia Theresa Longott was born on February 15, 1981[citation needed], in Brooklyn, New York. Longott is of mixed Indian, Jamaican, and Cuban descent.[2]
Career
[edit]J Records (2000–2004)
[edit]In 2000, Olivia became the first artist signed to Clive Davis' J Records. Her self-titled debut album Olivia was released in 2001 and featured the singles "Bizounce" which made #15 on the charts,[3] and "Are U Capable". The album debuted at No. 55 on the Billboard 200.[citation needed]
G-Unit (2004–2007)
[edit]
Olivia was signed to G-Unit from 2004 to 2007. Her best known song from this period is "Candy Shop" with 50 Cent. She also released the singles "So Sexy" and "Twist It" (with Lloyd Banks) on the label.[citation needed]
2007–present
[edit]In 2007, it was announced Olivia and G-Unit Records had parted ways. Her second studio album Behind Closed Doors was shelved, but leaked a year later on several mixtape websites.[4] In 2009, Olivia did a feature for Congolese singer Fally Ipupa on his song "Chaise Électrique". On April 12, 2011, she released her first music video for "December" the first single from her then-upcoming album Show the World. The song peaked at No. 76 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart.
In December 2011, she released her second single "Walk Away". During this time, she became a cast member on VH1's Love & Hip Hop.
Olivia declined a record deal from label EMI and in April 2012, signed a deal with Jerry Wonda's Wonda Music. She has since released two promotional songs: "Soldier Girl" (featuring Mavado) and "Sun Don't Shine" (featuring Sean Kingston).[5][6] In 2013, Olivia's song "Where Do I Go from Here?" hit iTunes at the No. 10 spot on the R&B/Soul charts.[7]
After a seven-year hiatus, Olivia returned to Love & Hip Hop: New York for its tenth anniversary season.[8]
Olivia released her second studio album, You Are, in 2024, marking her first album in 23 years. After releasing singles like "Join Me" in 2019 and "No Permission" in 2022, she released the album on September 1. The album featured the songs mentioned before, and more R&B tracks. The title track was a tribute to her mother, who died in 2018.[9][10]
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
- Olivia (2001)
- You Are (2024)
Personal life
[edit]Olivia announced her marriage in 2019.[11]
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Conspiracy X | Lisa | |
| 2015 | Supermodel | Tia Rivers | |
| The Man in 3B | Jerri |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Saturday Night Live | Herself / musical guest | Episode "Hilary Swank/50 Cent" |
| 2011–2013, 2019–20 | Love & Hip Hop: New York | Herself | Main role (seasons 1–2) Supporting role (seasons 3 & 10) |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 50 Cent: Bulletproof | Additional voices |
| Year | Title | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | "Shorty Wanna Ride" | Young Buck |
| "Let Me In" | ||
| "On Fire" | Lloyd Banks | |
| "I'm So Fly" | ||
| "Karma" | ||
| "How We Do" | The Game | |
| 2005 | "Candy Shop" | 50 Cent |
| "Window Shopper" | ||
| "Hustler's Ambition" | ||
| "Outta Control" | ||
| "Just a Lil Bit" | ||
| "Curious" | Tony Yayo | |
| "So Seductive" | ||
| "Look at Me Now / Bonafide Hustler" | Young Buck |
References
[edit]- ^ Cassidy, Maurice (March 9, 2021). "Whatever Happened To 50 Cent's Protege, Olivia?". The Things. Archived from the original on February 25, 2022.
- ^ Olivia Speaks On Why She Really Left G-Unit!. YouTube. 3 November 2009. Archived from the original on 2021-12-13.
- ^ Artist Chart History. Billboard. Retrieved September 24, 2007.
- ^ "Behind Closed Doors (the Album We Never Received) Mixtape by Olivia Hosted by DJ Tre'i Starzz, G-unit, DJ Whoo Kid". www.datpiff.com. Archived from the original on 2019-12-29. Retrieved 2020-06-17.
- ^ HipHopDX (30 April 2012). "Olivia Signs With Jerry Wonda's Wonda Music Label, New Album On The Way". HipHopDX.
- ^ "New Music: Olivia f/ Sean Kingston – 'Sun Don't Shine'". Rap-Up.
- ^ "Olivia Discusses Kissing Maino, New Boyfriend And Love & Hip Hop Drama". Necole Bitchie.com. Archived from the original on 2012-06-06.
- ^ "Video: Super Trailer - VH1's "Love & Hip Hop: New York" - Premiering Monday, December 16 at 8PM". The Futon Critic. Retrieved 2020-06-17.
- ^ "R&B Singer Olivia Mourns Death Of Mother In Touching Tribute". Essence. 2020-10-23. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
- ^ Samuels, Keithan (2024-09-05). "Olivia Releases First Album in Over 20 Years: 'You Are'". Rated R&B. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
- ^ Marie, Erika (2019-10-15). "Olivia, "First Lady Of G-Unit," Announces She's Getting Married: "#HappilyEngaged"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
External links
[edit]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| People | |
- 1981 births
- American contemporary R&B singers
- American musicians of Jamaican descent
- American entertainers of Cuban descent
- American singers of Indian descent
- Hispanic and Latino American women singers
- Hofstra University alumni
- Living people
- Singers from Brooklyn
- American television actresses
- Hispanic and Latino American television people
- Participants in American reality television series
- 21st-century American women singers
- 21st-century American singers
- Bayside High School (Queens) alumni
- American women hip-hop singers