Omarion
Omarion in December 2007.
Background information
Birth name	Omari Ishmael Grandberry
Born	November 12, 1984 (1984-11-12) (age 25) Inglewood, California, United States
Origin	Los Angeles, California, United States
Genres	R&B, Hip Hop, Soul, New Jack Swing, Kompa, Jazz
Occupations	Singer–songwriter, dancer, actor
Instruments	Vocals, piano guitar
Years active	1993–present
Labels	EMI StarWorld Entertainment The Ultimate Group
Associated acts	B2K, Bow Wow, Chris Brown, Marques Houston, Lil Wayne
Website	www.omariononline.com

Omari Ismael Grandberry (born November 12, 1984)¹, better known as Omarion, is an American R&B singer, actor, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and former lead singer of the boy band, B2K. His third album Ollusion was released January 12, 2010 with the lead single "I Get It In." Omarion is also currently the newest judge of the hit show America's Best Dance Crew on MTV.²

Music career

Departure from B2K and Solo Career

Almost a year after the multi platinum group B2K's split, Omarion started his own solo career with his first album: O.¹ The album debuted at #1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. It spawned the hit singles O and the Neptunes-produced "Touch".

Transition to Adulthood and Second Album

In December 2006, Omarion released his second album, 21, named for his age at the time of recording. It also debuted at #1 on the U.S. ¹ This album had a much more mature vibe than his previous work. Entourage (produced by Eric Hudson) was the first single released; the video featured former B2K bandmate Lil' Fizz. The second single from 21, "Ice Box", produced by Timbaland, gained significant radio airplay and peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The video features Solange Knowles.³ An official remix featured Usher and a DJ White Owl mix featuring Usher, Fabolous & Michael Doughty.

Collaboration Album with Bow Wow

In December 2007, Omarion released his third project, a collaborative effort alongside rapper Bow Wow, entitled Face Off⁴. Producer Jermaine Dupri initially suggested the collaboration, which offered an album and a two-part documentary entitled "The Road To Platinum". This was a BET special following the recording and promotion of the project. The first single released was written by The-Dream, called "Girlfriend". The second single sampled LL Cool J's "Going Back To Cali" and was entitled "Hey Baby". Face Off entered the official Billboard 200 album chart at number twelve, was the number one rap album in the U.S. and number two R&B album. He also released a solo autobiography book titled "O" in 2004. It was released on behalf of MTV.

Departure with Young Money Records and Ollusion

It was reported that on the July 20, Omarion had signed with Lil Wayne's Young Money Label under Cash Money Records. But rumors had began to spread that Omarion was dropped from the label due to leaking the single "I Get It In" featuring Lil Wayne. On August 21, 2009 Omarion Posted on Twitter that he wasn't dropped from Young Money Records for leaking the song, but had asked to be released from Young Money Records to pursue other arrangements with no conflict with the company or its roster. He also added that he has a lot of respect for Lil Wayne, and what he is so notorious for. This was also supported later that week in an interview with Lil Wayne⁵ he stated himself that it was just a 'business decision' and Omarion asked for the release to better his career. Since parting ways with Young Money, Omarion created his own imprint StarWorld Entertainment and signed with EMI while redoing the 1st single "I Get It In", which now features So Icey/Atlantic artist Gucci Mane. "Hoodie" will be the follow-up single with Jay Rock⁶

Acting career

In early 2004, Omarion appeared in several films, most notably You Got Served in which he starred alongside his label mate Marques Houston, as well as his former B2K band mates. The movie centered around a group of friends in a hip hop dance crew who take part in underground dance competitions. It earned $40 million worldwide. Later that year he had the role of the school bully "Reggie" in the comedy Fat Albert, based on the animated series Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids. Omarion also played the voice of Fifteen Cent in The Proud Family Movie.

In late 2007, Omarion, starred in the urban thriller/horror film Somebody Help Me,which was released only on DVD and aired on BET in celebration of Halloween.

Omarion also starred in and co-produced Feel the Noise. Omarion has also guest starred on several TV shows. He appeared on One on One as Nytemare and The Bernie Mac Show as Shonte.

He did make an appearance as himself with Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian on "Kourtney and Khloe take Miami" show where Khloe and Omarion explore if a relationship between the two would be feasible. But it turns out that it didn't work out.

On January 17, 2010, he appeared on Lopez Tonight and performed his hit single "I Get It In" Live.

It has been announced that he will be a judge on the fifth season of America's Best Dance Crew, replacing Shane Sparks.

He studies the Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses, according to one of his latest interviews.

Discography

Main Article: Omarion discography

Solo Albums

• 2005: O
• 2006: 21
• 2010: Ollusion

Collaboration Albums

• 2002: B2K (with B2K)
• 2002: Pandemonium! (with B2K)
• 2007: Face Off (with Bow Wow)

Filmography

• 2004: You Got Served
• 2004: Fat Albert
• 2007: Feel the Noise
• 2007: Somebody Help Me
• 2010: Wrong Side of Town

Awards and nominations

• American Music Awards
  • 2005, Favorite R&B Male Artist (Nominated)

• BET Awards
  • 2005, Viewer's Choice Award: O (Winner)
  • 2005, Best New Artist (Nominated)

• Image Awards
  • 2008, Outstanding Duo or Group w/ Bow Wow (Nominated)
  • 2006, Outstanding New Artist (Nominated)

• Grammy Awards
  • 2006, Best Contemporary R&B Album: O (Nominated)

• MTV Movie Awards
  • 2004, Best Male Breakthrough Performance: You Got Served (Nominated)
  • 2004, Best Dance Sequence: You Got Served w/ Marques Houston (Nominated)

References

External links

• Official website
• Omarion at the Internet Movie Database
• Omarion at Twitter