Biography

Olivia arrived during the early 2000s with a pop-R&B approach inspired by the likes of Janet Jackson, TLC, and Brandy. Known most for the Top 20 pop hit "Bizounce" (2001) and the hook of 50 Cent's chart-topping "Candy Shop" (2005), the singer has since appeared in the first three seasons of Love & Hip Hop: New York and has issued the occasional single, including "Sun Don't Shine" (2014). Born with perfect pitch, New York native Olivia Longott developed her voice in the church choir, singing Michael Jackson songs for friends, and taking voice, guitar, and piano lessons as a teen, eventually inking a recording deal with Clive Davis' J Records in 2000. The next year, she reached number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Bizounce," the lead single off Olivia, her self-titled debut. She released several singles over the next ten years and gained the most fame for her featured appearance on 50 Cent's number one pop hit "Candy Shop" in 2005. A solo album through 50's Interscope-affiliated G Unit label was plotted but never materialized. Early the next decade, Olivia took a role on VH1's Love & Hip Hop: New York and remained on the show for its first three seasons. During this period, another album -- this one for Jerry Duplessis' Wonda Music label -- was planned and shelved. Olivia continued in 2014 with "Sun Don't Shine," featuring Sean Kingston, and published a book, Release Me: My Life, My Words, the same year. Roles in the films Supermodel and The Man in 3B followed shortly thereafter. ~ Andy Kellman & Greg Prato, Rovi