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Biography
Infobox musical artist | name = Omarion| image =| caption = Omarion in December 2007.| Age = 26| birth_name = Omari Ishmael Grandberry| alias = Omarion,Omari| birth_date = Birth date and age|1984|11|12| origin = Watts, California | instrument = Vocals, Piano, Guitar, Compas music|Compas | occupation = Singer , Songwriter , Dancer , Actor | years_active = 2001–present| label = EMI Starrworld Entertainment The Ultimate Group | associated_acts = B2K , Bow Wow (rapper)|Bow Wow , Wolfgang Gartner , Chris Brown (American singer)|Chris Brown , Marques Houston , Lil Wayne , Gucci Mane | website = http://www.1omarion.com/ www.1omarion.com| background=solo_singer Omari Ishmael Grandberry (born November 12, 1984) better known as Omarion , is an People of the United States|American rhythm and blues|R& B singer , actor , songwriter , record producer , dancer , and former lead singer of the Rhythm and blues|R& B group, B2K . Omarion was spotted at a young age by a manager, Christopher B. Stokes, who took a liking to his vocal abilities.Citation needed|date=March 2011 This led to forming the group B2K, which disbanded after being successful for a few years. His third album Ollusion (album)|Ollusion was released January 12, 2010 with the lead single I Get It In (Omarion song)|I Get It In .cite web|url= http://www.singersroom.com/news/4924/Omarion-Says-New-Label-Album-Beautiful-Thing|title=Omarion Says New Label, Album 'Beautiful Thing'|accessdate=2009-12-15
Born in Watts, California , to Leslie Burrell and Trent Grandberry, Omarion is the oldest of seven children. At school he captained his football team and was also known for his slick dance moves. Although he dropped out of school midway, Omarion began to perform at age five. He was part of 'UAC' but soon disbanded as he wanted to focus on his talent, hip-hop. Before he made it into the music business, he was in commercials for Corn Pops|Kelloggs Corn Pops and McDonald's . He also made cameos in the R& B girl group Before Dark 's music videos. He embarked on a career in music. The smooth harmony singing that formed an integral part of the band B2K, helped him establish a solo career. His younger brother O'Ryan is also a singer.cite web|url= http://www.billboard.com/artist/omarion-featuring-gucci-mane/484526#/artist/omarion/bio/484526|title=Omarion Biography|last=Kellman|first=Andy|publisher= Billboard magazine|Billboard
Music career
B2K
In 1998, Omarion was the last member to join B2K and became the lead singer of the group. The band, including Omarion, was made up of four members, Lil Fizz , J-Boog , and Raz-B . The band released their debut album, B2K (album)|B2K , to some success. Their second album, Pandemonium! , was far more successful, reaching the top ten on the Billboard 200 , giving them their first #1 with " Bump, Bump, Bump ". Following their third album, a soundtrack to the movie You Got Served , B2K announced they had broken up.
O (2004-2005)
After the breakup of B2K, Omarion started his solo career under Epic Records and Sony Urban Music , releasing his debut single " O (song)|O ", also the lead single off his then upcoming debut album entitled " O (Omarion album)|O ", on July 17, 2004. The single was a top 30 hit on the Billboard 100 , peaking at #27. http://www.billboard.com/#/song/omarion/o/5797016 On February 21, 2005 Omarion released his second single " Touch (Omarion song)|Touch ". Omarion released his debut solo album " O (Omarion album)|O " on February 22, 2005, peaking at #1 on the Billboard 200 , selling over 500,000 copies in the US and reaching music recording sales certification|gold certification by the RIAA .cite web|url= http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php? resultpage=1& table=SEARCH_RESULTS& title=& artist=omarion& perPage=100 |title=Recording Industry Association of America |publisher=RIAA |date= |accessdate=2011-05-12 The third and final single " I'm Tryna " was released on April 5, 2005.
That same year, Omarion was featured on Bow Wow's hit song " Let Me Hold You ". The song reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Omarion's first entry into the top 10 since going solo.cite web|url= http://www.allmusic.com/artist/bow-wow-p440722/charts-awards/billboard-singles |title=Bow Wow |publisher=AllMusic |date=1987-03-09 |accessdate=2011-05-12
21 (2006-2007)
On December 26, 2006 Omarion released his second album 21 . The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and Top R& B/Hip-Hop Albums charts. The first single from the album was " Entourage (song)|Entourage ". The second single " Ice Box (song)|Ice Box ", produced by Timbaland , peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is Omarion's most successful solo single to date,cite web|url= http://www.allmusic.com/artist/omarion-p528354/charts-awards/billboard-singles |title=Omarion |publisher=AllMusic |date=1984-11-12 |accessdate=2011-05-12 reaching gold certification by the RIAA. 21 has sold over 390,000 copies in the United States since its release.
Face Off (2007-2009)
In late 2007 Omarion and Bow Wow (rapper)|Bow Wow recorded a collaboration album entitled Face Off (Bow Wow & Omarion album)|Face Off . The album sold over 100,000 copies in its first week and went on to sell over 500,000 copies, reaching gold certification by the RIAA. http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php? resultpage=1& table=SEARCH_RESULTS& title=& artist=omarion& perPage=100 The first single from the album was " Girlfriend (Bow Wow & Omarion song)|Girlfriend ", followed up by " Hey Baby (Jump Off)|Hey Baby " as the second single.
During this time, Omarion toured with numerous artists, including Bow Wow (rapper)|Bow Wow , Ciara , Yung Joc , Ne-Yo , Usher (entertainer)|Usher , Lloyd (singer)|Lloyd , Mario (entertainer)|Mario , Pretty Ricky , and Jibbs .
Ollusion (2009-2010)
On March 30, 2009 Lil Wayne confirmed that Omarion was officially signed to Young Money Entertainment but only after two months he parted ways with the label, with both Lil Wayne and Omarion confirming he was out for business reasons.cite web|url= http://www.rap-up.com/2009/08/20/omarion-splits-from-young-money/ |title=Omarion Splits From Young Money |publisher=Rap-Up.com |date=2009-08-20 |accessdate=2011-05-12cite web|url= http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1619186/20090820/omarion.jhtml |title=Omarion : Omarion Parts Ways With Young Money - Rhapsody Music Downloads |publisher=VH1.com |date= |accessdate=2011-05-12cite web|url= http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=i294Z2AoCsE |title=Omarion explains why he didn't want to join Lil Wayne, Drake, & Bow Wow at Young Money |publisher=YouTube |date= |accessdate=2011-05-12 In early 2010, Omarion signed with EMI and created his own label, StarrWorld Entertainment.cite web|author=Posted on Oct. 2nd, 2009 by Denise |url= http://www.hiphoprx.com/2009/10/02/omarion-signs-with-emi-preps-new-album-ollusion-and-label-imprint/ |title=Omarion Signs With EMI, Preps New Album 'Ollusion' and Label Imprint |publisher=Hiphoprx.com |date=2009-10-02 |accessdate=2011-05-12cite web|last=Rodriguez |first=Jayson |url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1622301/omarions-new-lp-ollusion-due-november-24.jhtml |title=Omarion's New LP, Ollusion, Due November 24 - Music, Celebrity, Artist News |publisher=MTV |date=2009-09-24 |accessdate=2011-05-12 Omarion later re-released the single " I Get It In (Omarion song)|I Get It In " with Lil Wayne replaced by Gucci Mane . Then he released his second single " Speedin' (Omarion song)|Speedin' ". He released his third studio album Ollusion (album)|Ollusion , which sold 19,400 copies in its first week.cite web|last=Langhorne |first=Cyrus |url= http://www.sohh.com/2010/01/keha_finds_her_instinct_at_no_3_alicia_k.html |title=Ke$ha Finds Her Instinct At No. 3, Alicia Keys Roams Free In Top 5 & Omarion Lands On The Charts |publisher=Sohh.Com |date=2010-01-20 |accessdate=2011-05-12...
The Awakening (Mixtape)
In early 2011 Omarion worked on his first mixtape presented by DJ Drama , titled 'The Awakening'. Originally to be released on April 27, 2011, the mixtape was instead released on May 11, 2011.cite web|url= http://www.datpiff.com/Omarion-The-Awakening-mixtape.227956.html |title=Omarion - The Awakening Hosted by DJ Drama // Free Mixtape @ |publisher=Datpiff.com |date= |accessdate=2011-05-12
Other ventures
Acting career
In early 2004, Omarion appeared in several films, most notably You Got Served in which he starred alongside Marques Houston , as well as his former B2K band mates.cite web|url= http://www.hiphop-elements.com/article/read/6/7216/1/ |title=OMARION Interview |publisher=HipHop-Elements.com |date= |accessdate=2011-05-12 The movie centered around a group of friends in a hip hop dance crew who take part in underground dance competitions. Later that year, he played the role of the school bully "Reggie" in the comedy Fat Albert (film)|Fat Albert , based on the animated series Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids . cite news|url= http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/28/AR2006122800330.html |title=R& B's Omarion: On His Own and Loving It |publisher=washingtonpost.com |date= 2006-12-29|accessdate=2011-05-12 |first=Richard |last=Harrington Towards the end of 2007, he displayed his acting skills in the thriller Somebody Help Me (film)|Somebody Help Me . This movie was released exclusively on DVD and aired on BET in celebration of Halloween .cite web|url= http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-7105543/What-to-Watch-on-BET.html |title=What to Watch on BET. & #124; Goliath Business News |publisher=Goliath.ecnext.com |date=2007-10-24 |accessdate=2011-05-12 Omarion has also made several appearances in a number of TV shows, including One on One . Omarion also played the voice of Fifteen Cent in The Proud Family Movie . cite news|last=McDonough|first=Kevin|title=Famous voices animate new features|url= http://news.google.com/newspapers? id=AmBWAAAAIBAJ& sjid=efADAAAAIBAJ& pg=6655,4042719& dq=omarion+proud-family& hl=en|accessdate=12 May 2011|newspaper= Eugene Register-Guard |date=Aug 19 2005 His portrayal of a rapper, who gets involved with thugs, in the movie Feel the Noise , received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics.cite news|last=Scheck |first=Frank |url= http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/10/06/review-film-noise-dc-idUSN0625265920071006 |title=Feel the Noise appealing despite cliches |publisher=Reuters |date= 2007-10-06|accessdate=2011-05-12cite news|last=Howell |first=Peter |url= http://www.thestar.com/Movies/MovieReview/article/264339 |title='Feel the noise': This movie barely even lets us hear it |publisher=thestar.com |date=2007-10-07 |accessdate=2011-05-12 |location=Toronto Omarion also co-produced Feel the Noise .cite web|last=Bentley |first=Rick |url= http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/life/stories/2007/10/10/2_FEEL_THE_NOISE.ART_ART_10-10-07_D3_498506G.html? sid=101 |title=Movie Review & #124; Feel the Noise: Story discovers its rhythm after slow start & #124; The Columbus Dispatch |publisher=Dispatch.com |date=2007-10-10 |accessdate=2011-05-12
''America's Best Dance Crew
In 2010, Omarion became a judge on the America's Best Dance Crew (season 5)|fifth season of '' America's Best Dance Crew , replacing former judge Shane Sparks . He left after Season 5 to focus on his music career.
Other Forays
In November 2011, Omarion was seen on set with Japanese star Koda Kumi . On December 6, 2011, it was revealed that he collaborated with the star on the song "Slow" for her upcoming 2012 album Japonesque (Kumi Koda album)|Japonesque . He will also star in the music video.
Discography
main|Omarion discography|B2K discography
Studio albums
O (Omarion album)|O (2005), Epic Records and Sony Urban Music
21 (Omarion album)|21 (2006), Epic Records and Sony Urban Music
Ollusion (2010), EMI|EMI Music , Capitol Records , StarWorld Entertainment and MusicWorks
Collaborations Albums
Face Off (Bow Wow & Omarion album)|Face Off (with Bow Wow (rapper)|Bow Wow ) (2007), Columbia Records , RCA Records and Sony Urban Music
Mixtapes
The Awakening (Hosted by DJ Drama) (2011), StarWorld Entertainment
"The Reinvention" Produced by @KCBEATZ, Ryan Leslie, Timbaland and many more (Soon to be released)
Filmography
col-begincol-2 ;Films
Year
Film
Role
Notes
2004
You Got Served
David
lead role
Fat Albert
Reggie
main role
2005
The Proud Family Movie
Fifteen Cent
main role
2007
Feel the Noise
Rob
lead role
Somebody Help Me
Darryl Jennings
lead role
2010
Wrong Side of Town
Stash
cast
Somebody Help Me 2
Darryl Jennings
lead role
col-2;Television
Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes
2009
2010
col-end
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 (Winner)
Urban Music Awards
* 2007, Most Inspiring Act (Winner)
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 (Omarion 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)
Teen Choice Awards
*2004, Choice Breakout Movie Star - Male for: You Got Served (Nominated)
*2005, Choice Music: R& B Track for: Touch (Nominated)
OmarionCash Money RecordsYoung Money EntertainmentAmerica's Best Dance Crew Persondata | NAME = Omarion | ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Grandberry, Omari Ishmael | SHORT DESCRIPTION = | DATE OF BIRTH = November 12, 1984 | PLACE OF BIRTH = Los Angeles , California , United States | DATE OF DEATH = | PLACE OF DEATH = Category:Cash Money Records artists Category:1984 births Category:African American dancers Category:African American male singers Category:American pop singers Category:American rhythm and blues singers Category:Hip hop singers Category:B2K members Category:Living people Category:People from Inglewood, California Category:Singers from California Category:African American record producers Category:African American actors Category:African American singer-songwriters Category:Songwriters from California
