Olivia Dean
{{Short description|English neo soul singer (born 1999)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Olivia Dean
| image = Olivia Dean - 4369.jpg
| caption = Dean at the SWR3 New Pop Festival, 2023
| birth_name = Olivia Lauryn Dean
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1999|3|14}}
| birth_place = Haringey, London, England
| origin = Walthamstow, London, England{{cite news |last=Van Dyke |first=Isobel |date=9 March 2023 |title=How Olivia Dean became a superstar without releasing an album |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/olivia-dean-interview-album-koko-camden-sold-out-tour-b1066055.html |work=The Standard |location=London, England |publisher=The Standard |access-date=21 June 2025}}
| occupation = Singer, songwriter
| years_active = 2017–present
| genre = {{flat list|
- Pop-soul{{cite news |title=On Her Debut Album, Olivia Dean Is Already Pushing Ahead |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/29/arts/music/olivia-dean-messy-review.html |work=The New York Times |date=29 June 2023 |access-date=30 June 2023 |last=Pareles |first=Jon }}
- soul
- neo-soul{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jun/30/olivia-dean-messy-review|title=Olivia Dean: Messy review – hackneyed British soul tropes do singer a disservice|work=The Guardian|last=Kheraj|first=Alim|date=30 June 2023|accessdate=5 July 2023}}
}}
| label = AMF Records, EMI
}}
Olivia Lauryn Dean (born 14 March 1999) is an English neo soul singer and songwriter.{{Cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jun/30/olivia-dean-messy-review | title=Olivia Dean: Messy review – hackneyed British soul tropes do singer a disservice | first=Alim | last=Kheraj | work=The Guardian | date=30 June 2023}} She has released one studio album, Messy (2023), and five EPs. In 2021, Dean was named the breakthrough artist of the year by Amazon Music and in 2023 she was selected as BBC Music Introducing Artist of the Year.
Biography
=Early life=
Dean was born in the London Borough of Haringey to an English father and a Jamaican-Guyanese mother. Her grandmother immigrated to the UK from Guyana at age 18 as part of the Windrush generation.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-67714013 |title=BBC Sound Of 2024: How embracing chaos made Olivia Dean a breakout star |first=Mark |last=Savage |work=BBC News |date=3 January 2024}} Her middle name "Lauryn" was inspired by Lauryn Hill, of whom her parents are big fans. She grew up in Highams Park{{cite web |last=Savage |first=Mark |title=BBC Sound Of 2024: How embracing chaos made Olivia Dean a breakout star |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-67714013 |website=BBC News |access-date=29 February 2024 |date=4 January 2024}} and sometimes felt othered for being of mixed-race. Her father often listened to music and they would dance around the kitchen together. In primary school, she sang "Tomorrow" from the musical Annie in a competition and was so nervous that she initially turned her back to the audience and started crying from stage fright, although she did win second place. She took musical theatre lessons in a Saturday school and participated in a gospel choir.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/29/arts/music/olivia-dean-messy-review.html |title=On Her Debut Album, Olivia Dean Is Already Pushing Ahead |first=Jon |last=Pareles |authorlink=Jon Pareles |work=The New York Times |date=29 June 2023 |url-access=limited}} At age 15, she was accepted to the BRIT School and travelled a 3-hour round trip every day to attend school.{{Cite news |url=https://www.wonderlandmagazine.com/2018/10/26/premiere-olivia-reason-stay/ |title=Premiere: Olivia – 'Reason to Stay' |work=Wonderland |date=26 October 2018}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.nme.com/features/music-interviews/olivia-dean-debut-album-mess-ufo-dive-interview-radar-3419896 |title=Get ready for the summer of Olivia Dean |first=Hannah | last=Mylrea |work=NME |date=27 March 2023}} At first, she studied theatre, but she switched disciplines to songwriting and convinced her mother to buy a second-hand piano.
=Career=
Dean began writing songs at age 16, teaching herself the guitar and piano. She performed at her graduation concert. She attracted the attention of Emily Braham, a young woman who she hired as her manager.{{Cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevebaltin/2023/12/09/best-of-2023-olivia-dean-mesmerizes-on-debut-album-messy/ |title=Best Of 2023: Olivia Dean Mesmerizes On Debut Album, Messy |first=Steve |last=Baltin |work=Forbes |date=9 December 2023 |url-access=limited}}
Braham got Dean into an audition with Rudimental, who hired Dean as a backing vocalist at age 17. Her first show was at the Sziget Festival in front of 16,000 people. She was featured on Rudimental's single "Adrenaline" on the album Toast to Our Differences (2019). She said that she was not good in the position as she often sang the tune instead of just the harmony.
In November 2019, she released her debut EP, OK Love You Bye, recorded in a converted east London pub.{{cite news |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/new-music/discovery/olivia-dean-ok-love-you-bye |title=Olivia Dean embarks on her next chapter with positivity in "OK Love You Bye" |first=Kayleigh |last=Watson |work=The Line of Best Fit |date=22 November 2019}} After it was streamed millions of times, she was offered and signed a recording contract with EMI. Her second EP, What Am I Gonna Do On Sundays?, was released in December 2020.{{Cite news |url=https://readdork.com/news/olivia-dean-what-am-i-gonna-do-on-sundays-ep/ |title=OLIVIA DEAN HAS SHARED A NEW SONG FROM HER UPCOMING ‘WHAT AM I GONNA DO ON SUNDAYS?’ EP |work=Dork |date=21 October 2020}}
In 2021, Dean recorded an exclusive version of Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song" for Amazon's Christmas Originals line-up, which charted at number 19 in the UK singles chart.{{Cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/61513/olivia-dean/ |title=Olivia Dean |work=Official Charts Company}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/george-ezra-camila-cabello-and-alessia-cara-announced-for-amazon-exclusive-christmas-songs-line-up__34365/ |title=Amazon Music's exclusive Christmas songs line-up revealed |work=Official Charts Company |first=George |last=Griffiths |date=3 November 2021}} That year, she was named the breakthrough artist of the year by Amazon Music.{{Cite news |url=https://inews.co.uk/culture/music/london-soul-singer-olivia-dean-named-amazon-music-2021-breakthrough-artist-953137 |title=London soul singer Olivia Dean named Amazon Music 2021 Breakthrough Artist |work=i |first=Adam |last=Sherwin |date=12 April 2021}}
In 2023, Dean was selected as BBC Music Introducing Artist of the Year.{{Cite news |title=BBC Music Introducing Artist of the Year |url=https://canvas-story.bbcrewind.co.uk/introducingaoty23/ |work=BBC Music}}
In June 2023, she released her debut album, Messy.
Dean performed at Glastonbury Festival 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.indy100.com/news/olivia-dean-pays-tribute-to-grandmother-and-windrush-generation-at-glastonbury|title=Olivia Dean pays tribute to grandmother and Windrush generation at Glastonbury|website=Indy100|last1=Roberts|first1=Hannah|last2=Dracott|first2=Ed|date=28 June 2024|access-date=7 December 2024}} On 26 June 2024, she released a single, "Time".{{cite web|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/news/olivia-deans-time-hones-in-on-her-performance-technique/|title=Olivia Dean’s ‘Time’ Hones In On Her Performance Technique|website=Clash|last=Murray|first=Robin|date=27 June 2024|access-date=7 December 2024}} She released a cover of The Supremes's "You Can't Hurry Love" recorded at Jools' Annual Hootenanny on 9 October 2024. She released her third single of the year, "Touching Toes" on 15 November.{{cite web|url=https://www.newwavemagazine.com/single-post/olivia-dean-closes-the-year-with-sentimental-single-touching-toes|title=Olivia Dean Closes the Year With Sentimental Single ‘Touching Toes’|website=newwavemagazine.com|last=Fan|first=Leah|access-date=7 December 2024}} In February 2025, Dean released the single "It Isn't Perfect But It Might Be" for the film Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.{{Cite web |title=Olivia Dean shares new single, "It Isn't Perfect But It Might Be" taken from forthcoming Bridget Jones soundtrack |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/olivia-dean-shares-new-single-it-isnt-perfect-but-it-might-be-taken-from-forthcoming-bridget-jones-soundtrack |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=The Line of Best Fit |language=en-US}}
Her second album, The Art of Loving, is set to be released on 26 September 2025.{{cite web |last1=Carter |first1=Daisy |title=Olivia Dean confirms plans for anticipated second LP ‘The Art Of Loving’ |url=https://diymag.com/news/olivia-dean-second-album-the-art-of-loving |website=DIY |access-date=4 June 2025 |language=en |date=2 June 2025}}
Artistry and influences
Dean has cited Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse, Adele, Carole King and the Supremes as inspirations.{{Cite news |url=https://schonmagazine.com/interview-olivia-dean/ |title=interview olivia dean |first=Shama |last=Nasinde |work=Schön! |date=10 August 2020}}
Her music is described as "devastating heartbreak ballads and sing-along self-love anthems".{{Cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/olivia-dean-interview-album-koko-camden-sold-out-tour-b1066055.html |title=How Olivia Dean became a superstar without releasing an album |first=Isobel |last=Van Dyke |work=The Evening Standard |date=9 March 2023}}
Personal life
Tours
=Headlining=
Discography
=Studio albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of studio albums, with selected details, chart positions and certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Details ! scope="col" colspan="2"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Certifications |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| UK Peak chart positions in the United Kingdom:
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| SCO |
|---|
| scope="row"| Messy
|
| 4 || 10 | |
| scope="row"| The Art of Loving
|
| colspan="3" {{TBA|To be released}} |
=EPs=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of extended plays, with selected details and chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Details ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| SCO |
|---|
| scope="row"| Ok Love You Bye
| | — |
| scope="row"| What Am I Gonna Do on Sundays?
| | — |
| scope="row"| Olivia Dean If You Know What I Mean
|
| 19 |
| scope="row"| Growth
|
| — |
| scope="row"| Ladies Room
|
| — |
| colspan="3" style="font-size:90%" | "—" denotes recording that did not chart in that territory. |
=Singles=
==As lead artist==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
|+ List of singles as lead artist, with select chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name ! scope="col" style="width:14em;" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" style="width:2em;" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="4"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|UK ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|AUS ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|IRE ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|NZ |
|---|
| scope="row" | "Reason to Stay"
| 2018 | — || — || — || — | | rowspan="2"| OK Love You Bye |
| scope="row" | "Password Change"
| 2019 | — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row" | "Baby Come Home"
| rowspan="5"| 2020 | — || — || — || — | | rowspan="2" {{Non-album singles}} |
| scope="row" | "Crosswords"
| — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row" | "The Hardest Part"
| — || — || — || — | | What Am I Gonna Do On Sundays? |
| scope="row" | "Merry Christmas Everyone"
| — || — || — || — | | {{Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Echo"
| — || — || — || — | | What Am I Gonna Do On Sundays? |
| scope="row" | "Be My Own Boyfriend"{{Cite news |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/news/olivia-dean-finds-independence-with-be-my-own-boyfriend |title=Olivia Dean Finds Independence With 'Be My Own Boyfriend' |first=Robin |last=Murray |work=Clash |date=16 April 2021}}
| rowspan="3"| 2021 | — || — || — || — | | rowspan="2"| Growth |
| scope="row" | "Slowly"{{Cite news |url=https://www.onestowatch.com/en/blog/olvia-dean-slowly |title=Olivia Dean's "Slowly" Turns Vulnerability Into a Superpower |first=EJ |last=Saftner |work=Ones to Watch |date=15 July 2021}}
| — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row" | "The Christmas Song"
| 19 || — || — || — | | {{Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Danger"
| 2022 | — || — || — || — | | rowspan="6"| Messy |
| scope="row" | "UFO"
| rowspan="5"| 2023 | — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row" | "Dive"
| 63 || — || — || — | |
| scope="row" | "Carmen"
| — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row" | "The Hardest Part" (re-release with Leon Bridges){{cite news |url=https://readdork.com/news/olivia-dean-leon-bridges-the-hardest-part/ |title=Olivia Dean Has Teamed Up with Leon Bridges for a New Version of The Hardest Part |first=Sam |last=Taylor |work=Dork |date=16 June 2023}} | — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row" | "Ladies Room"
| — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row" | "Time"
| rowspan="2"| 2024 | — || — || — || — | | rowspan="2" {{Non-album singles}} |
| scope="row" | "Touching Toes"
| — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row" | "It Isn't Perfect But It Might Be"
| rowspan="4"| 2025 | 36 || — || — || — | | Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) |
| scope="row" | "Nice to Each Other"
| 14 || 42 || 11 || 29 | | The Art of Loving |
| scope="row"| "Rein Me In" (with Sam Fender){{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/sam-fender-rein-me-in-olivia-dean-1236003629/|title= Sam Fender Unveils "Rein Me In" Collab With Olivia Dean: Listen Here|website=Billboard|date=20 June 2025|access-date=22 June 2025}} | 6 || — || 16 || — | | {{Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Lady Lady"
| — || — || — || — | | The Art of Loving |
| colspan="8" style="font-size:90%" | "—" denotes recording that did not chart in that territory. |
==As featured artist==
- "Free" (2017)
- "Adrenaline" (2019)
- "Homerton" (2022)
- "Call Me a Lioness" (2023)
=Music videos=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+List of music videos ! Year ! Title |
| rowspan="2" | 2019
| "Password Change" |
| "Ok Love You Bye" |
| rowspan="4" | 2020
| "Crosswords" |
| "Baby Come Home" |
| "The Hardest Part" |
| "Echo" |
| rowspan="2" | 2021
| "Be My Own Boyfriend" |
| "Slowly" |
| 2022
|"Danger" |
| rowspan="3" | 2023
|"UFO" |
| "Dive" |
| "Call Me A Lioness" |
Awards and nominations
| class=wikitable |
| Year
! Awards ! Category ! Nominee ! Result ! Ref |
|---|
| 2020
| Best R&B/Soul Video – UK | "Password Change" | {{nom}} |
| 2023
| {{n/a}} | Messy | {{nom}} | {{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jul/27/mercury-prize-nominations-arctic-monkeys |title=Mercury Prize 2023: Arctic Monkeys tie Radiohead's record for most nominations |last=Snapes |first=Laura |work=The Guardian |date=27 July 2023}} |
| rowspan="3" |2024
| rowspan="3" |Brit Awards | rowspan="3" |Herself | {{nom}} |
| British Artist of the Year
| {{nom}} |
| Best New Artist
| {{nom}} |
{{Commonscat}}
References
{{reflist|2}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dean, Olivia}}
Category:21st-century English women singers
Category:21st-century English singers
Category:English people of Guyanese descent
Category:English people of Jamaican descent
Category:People educated at the BRIT School
Category:Singers from the London Borough of Waltham Forest