Olivia Dean

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Olivia Dean
Olivia Dean - Sabrina Carpenter at BST Hyde Park - 20250706 - 115 (cropped) (cropped).jpg
Dean performing at BST Hyde Park, 2025
Background information
Birth nameOlivia Lauryn Dean
Born (1999-03-14) 14 March 1999 (age 26)
Haringey, London, England
Origin Highams Park, London, England [1]
Genres
OccupationSinger
InstrumentVocals
Years active2017–present
Labels
  • AMF Records
  • EMI

Olivia Lauryn Dean (born 14 March 1999) is an English neo soul singer. [4] She has released one studio album, two live albums and four EPs. Her second studio album The Art of Loving is due for release in September 2025. 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.

Contents

Biography

Early life

Dean was born in the London Borough of Haringey to an English father and a Jamaican-Guyanese mother. [5] Her grandmother immigrated to the UK from Guyana at age 18 as part of the Windrush generation. [6] Her middle name "Lauryn" was inspired by Lauryn Hill, of whom her parents are big fans. [5] She grew up in Highams Park [7] and sometimes felt othered for being of mixed-race. [6] Her father often listened to music and they would dance around the kitchen together. [8] 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. [6] [5] She took musical theatre lessons in a Saturday school and participated in a gospel choir. [6] [9] At age 15, she was accepted to the BRIT School and travelled a 3-hour round trip every day to attend school. [6] [10] [11] At first, she studied theatre, but she switched disciplines to songwriting and convinced her mother to buy a second-hand piano. [6]

Career

Dean began writing songs at age 16, teaching herself the guitar and piano. [11] She performed at her graduation concert. [6] She attracted the attention of Emily Braham, a young woman who she hired as her manager. [6] [11] [12]

In October 2018, Dean released her debut single, "Reason to Stay" [13]

Braham got Dean into an audition with Rudimental, who hired Dean as a backing vocalist at age 17. [5] [6] Her first show was at the Sziget Festival in front of 16,000 people. [6] She was featured on Rudimental's single "Adrenaline" on the album Toast to Our Differences (2019). [6] She said that she was not good in the position as she often sang the tune instead of just the harmony. [5]

In November 2019, she released her debut EP, OK Love You Bye, recorded in a converted east London pub. [6] [14] After it was streamed millions of times, she was offered and signed a recording contract with EMI. [6] Her second EP, What Am I Gonna Do On Sundays?, was released in December 2020. [15]

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. [16] [17] Prior to the release, she was previously named the breakthrough artist of the year by Amazon Music. [18]

In 2023, Dean was selected as BBC Music Introducing Artist of the Year. [19]

In June 2023, she released her debut album, Messy . [4]

Dean performed at Glastonbury Festival 2024. [20] On 26 June 2024, she released a single, "Time". [21] 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. [22] In February 2025, Dean released the single "It Isn't Perfect But It Might Be" for the film Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy . [23]

Her second album, The Art of Loving , is set to be released on 26 September 2025. [24]

Artistry and influences

Dean has cited Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse, Adele, Carole King and the Supremes as inspirations. [10] [8]

Her music is described as "devastating heartbreak ballads and sing-along self-love anthems". [5]

Personal life

Dean is a brand ambassador for Chanel. [5] In 2020, her mother became the deputy leader of the Women's Equality Party. [5] Dean describes herself as "a very strong feminist". [5]

Dean is a supporter of West Ham United F.C. and attended many games at Upton Park with her father, a season ticket holder, during her childhood. [25]

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected details, chart positions and certifications
TitleDetailsPeak chart positions Certifications
UK
[26] 		SCO
[26]
Messy
  • Released: 30 June 2023
  • Label: EMI
  • Formats: CD, cassette, LP, digital
410
The Art of Loving
  • Scheduled: 26 September 2025 [24]
  • Label: Capitol, Polydor
  • Formats: CD, cassette, LP, digital
To be released

Live albums

List of live albums
TitleDetailsPeak chart positions
UK
[26]
Live at the Jazz Café
  • Released: 22 October 2021 [28]
  • Label: AMF / EMI Records
  • Format: digital, LP (2024 RSD exclusive)
— [A]
Live at Eventim Apollo
  • Released: 20 December 2024
  • Label: Capitol, Polydor
  • Format: 2×LP, digital
— [B]

EPs

List of extended plays, with selected details and chart positions
TitleDetailsPeak chart positions
UK
[26] 		SCO
[26]
Ok Love You Bye
  • Released: 22 November 2019 [14]
  • Label: AMF, EMI
  • Format: Digital
——
What Am I Gonna Do on Sundays?
  • Released: 4 December 2020 [15] [29]
  • Label: AMF, EMI
  • Format: Digital
——
Olivia Dean If You Know What I Mean
  • Released: 4 June 2021
  • Label: uDicover Music, EMI
  • Format: Digital, LP (2022)
  • Note: Compilation EP
— [C] 19
Growth
  • Released: 30 July 2021 [30]
  • Label: AMF, EMI
  • Format: Digital
——
With Love— [D] —
"—" denotes recording that did not chart in that territory.

Singles

List of singles as lead artist, with select chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
TitleYearPeak chart positions Certifications Album
UK
[26] 		AUS
[32] 		IRE
[33] 		LTU
Air.
[34] 		NLD
[35] 		NOR
[36] 		NZ
[37] 		SWE
[38] 		US
[39] 		WW
[40]
"Reason to Stay" [13] 2018———*——————Ok Love You Bye
"Password Change" [41] 2019—————————
"OK Love You Bye" [42] —————————
"Just for You" [43] —————————Non-album singles
"Crosswords" [44] 2020—————————
"Baby Come Home" [45] —————————
"The Hardest Part"—— [E] 25— [F] ——— [G] ——What Am I Gonna Do on Sundays?
"Echo" [29] —————————
"Merry Christmas Everyone"—————————Non-album single
"Be My Own Boyfriend" [50] 2021—————————Growth
"Slowly" [51] —————————
"The Christmas Song" [52] 19————————Non-album singles
"Wish I Didn't Miss You"
(Mahogany Sessions) [53] 		2022—————————
"Danger" [54] —————————Messy
"UFO" [55] 2023——————————
"Dive"21— [H] 9786— [I] —————
"Carmen" [56] ——————————
"The Hardest Part"
(re-release with Leon Bridges) [57] 		———98——————Non-album single
"Ladies Room" [58] ——————————Messy
"Time" [59] 2024——————————Non-album single
"You Can't Hurry Love"
(Live at Jools' Annual Hootenanny with Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra) [60] 		——————————With Love
"Touching Toes" [61] ——————————
"It Isn't Perfect But It Might Be"202536——81—————— Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
"Nice to Each Other"72173149771974—155The Art of Loving
"Rein Me In"
(with Sam Fender)		6—832——— [J] ———Non-album single
"Lady Lady"38—7067——— [K] ———The Art of Loving
"Man I Need"2221829263716
"—" denotes recording that did not chart in that territory.
"*" denotes that the chart did not exist at that time.

Guest appearances

TitleYearOther artist(s)Album
"Adrenaline" [65] 2019 Rudimental Toast to Our Differences
"Homerton"2022 Loyle Carner and JNR Williams Hugo
"Call Me a Lioness" [66] 2023Various (as Hope FC)Non-album singles
"No One's Watching Me"2024 Ezra Collective Dance, No One's Watching

Tours

Headlining

Opening act

Awards and nominations

YearAwardsCategoryNomineeResultRef
2020 UK Music Video Awards Best R&B/Soul Video – UK"Password Change"Nominated [68]
2023 Mercury Prize —Messy [69]
2024 Brit Awards Best Pop Act Herself [70]
British Artist of the Year
Best New Artist

Notes

  1. ↑ Live at the Jazz Café did not enter the top 100 UK Albums Chart, but peaked at number 6 on the UK Hip Hop and R&B Albums Chart in 2024. [26]
  2. ↑ Live at Eventim Apollo did not enter the top 100 UK Albums Chart, but peaked at number 76 on the UK Physical Albums Chart and number 40 on the UK Record Store Chart. [26]
  3. ↑ Olivia Dean If You Know What I Mean did not enter the top 100 UK Albums Chart, but peaked at number 28 on the UK Record Store Chart. [26]
  4. ↑ With Love did not enter the top 100 UK Albums Chart, but peaked at number 7 on both the UK Vinyl Singles Chart and Physical Singles Chart. [26]
  5. ↑ "The Hardest Part" did not enter the ARIA top 100, but peaked at number 11 on the ARIA On Replay Chart, a chart for songs more than two years old. [46]
  6. ↑ "The Hardest Part" did not enter the Dutch Single Top 100, but peaked at number 1 on the Single Tip chart. [47]
  7. ↑ "The Hardest Part" did not enter the Swedish Singellista Chart, but peaked at number 20 on the Swedish Heatseeker Chart. [48]
  8. ↑ "Dive" did not enter the ARIA top 100, but peaked at number 26 on the ARIA On Replay Chart, a chart for songs more than two years old. [46]
  9. ↑ "Dive" did not enter the Dutch Single Top 100, but peaked at number 12 on the Single Tip chart. [47]
  10. ↑ "Rein Me In" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 18 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart. [63]
  11. ↑ "Lady Lady" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 23 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart. [64]

References

  1. ↑ Savage, Mark (4 January 2024). "BBC Sound Of 2024: How embracing chaos made Olivia Dean a breakout star". BBC News. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  2. ↑ Pareles, Jon (29 June 2023). "On Her Debut Album, Olivia Dean Is Already Pushing Ahead". The New York Times. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  3. ↑ Kheraj, Alim (30 June 2023). "Olivia Dean: Messy review – hackneyed British soul tropes do singer a disservice". The Guardian . Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  4. 1 2 Kheraj, Alim (30 June 2023). "Olivia Dean: Messy review – hackneyed British soul tropes do singer a disservice". The Guardian .
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Van Dyke, Isobel (9 March 2023). "How Olivia Dean became a superstar without releasing an album". The Evening Standard .
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Savage, Mark (3 January 2024). "BBC Sound Of 2024: How embracing chaos made Olivia Dean a breakout star". BBC News .
  7. ↑ Savage, Mark (4 January 2024). "BBC Sound Of 2024: How embracing chaos made Olivia Dean a breakout star". BBC News. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  8. 1 2 Nasinde, Shama (10 August 2020). "interview olivia dean". Schön! .
  9. ↑ Pareles, Jon (29 June 2023). "On Her Debut Album, Olivia Dean Is Already Pushing Ahead" . The New York Times .
  10. 1 2 "Premiere: Olivia – 'Reason to Stay'". Wonderland . 26 October 2018.
  11. 1 2 3 Mylrea, Hannah (27 March 2023). "Get ready for the summer of Olivia Dean". NME .
  12. ↑ Baltin, Steve (9 December 2023). "Best Of 2023: Olivia Dean Mesmerizes On Debut Album, Messy" . Forbes .
  13. 1 2 "Premiere: Olivia Reason to Stay The London-based singer releases her defiant debut single". Wonderland Magazine. 26 October 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  14. 1 2 Watson, Kayleigh (22 November 2019). "Olivia Dean embarks on her next chapter with positivity in "OK Love You Bye"". The Line of Best Fit .
  15. 1 2 "OLIVIA DEAN HAS SHARED A NEW SONG FROM HER UPCOMING 'WHAT AM I GONNA DO ON SUNDAYS?' EP". Dork . 21 October 2020.
  16. ↑ "Olivia Dean". Official Charts Company .
  17. ↑ Griffiths, George (3 November 2021). "Amazon Music's exclusive Christmas songs line-up revealed". Official Charts Company .
  18. ↑ Sherwin, Adam (12 April 2021). "London soul singer Olivia Dean named Amazon Music 2021 Breakthrough Artist". i .
  19. ↑ "BBC Music Introducing Artist of the Year". BBC Music .
  20. ↑ Roberts, Hannah; Dracott, Ed (28 June 2024). "Olivia Dean pays tribute to grandmother and Windrush generation at Glastonbury". Indy100. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  21. ↑ Murray, Robin (27 June 2024). "Olivia Dean's 'Time' Hones In On Her Performance Technique". Clash. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  22. ↑ Fan, Leah. "Olivia Dean Closes the Year With Sentimental Single 'Touching Toes'". newwavemagazine.com. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  23. ↑ "Olivia Dean shares new single, "It Isn't Perfect But It Might Be" taken from forthcoming Bridget Jones soundtrack". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
  24. 1 2 Carter, Daisy (2 June 2025). "Olivia Dean confirms plans for anticipated second LP 'The Art Of Loving'". DIY. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  25. ↑ Greenwood, Al (17 June 2022). "Strike A Chord". Glorious - Culture in Play. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  26. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Peak chart positions in the United Kingdom:
  27. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "British certifications – Olivia Dean". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 29 August 2025.Type Olivia Dean in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  28. ↑ "Live At The Jazz Cafe". Record Store Day . 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  29. 1 2 "Olivia Dean shares her confrontational new single "Echo" and announces new EP". The Line of Best Fit. 21 October 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  30. ↑ "Olivia Dean Details New EP Growth". DIY . 9 July 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  31. ↑ "Record Store Day 2025 > Olivia Dean With Love". Record Store Day . April 2025. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  32. ↑ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 15 September 2025. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  33. ↑ Peaks on the Irish Singles Chart:
  34. ↑ Peak chart positions for singles on the Lithuanian Airplay chart:
  35. ↑ "Discography Olivia Dean". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 17 September 2025.
  36. ↑ "Singel 2025 uke 37". IFPI Norge . Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  37. ↑ "Official Top 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 5 September 2025. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  38. ↑ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 37, 2025". Sverigetopplistan . Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  39. ↑ "Billboard Hot 100: Week of September 20, 2025". Billboard . Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  40. ↑ "Billboard Global 200: Week of September 20, 2025". Billboard . Retrieved 17 September 2025.
  41. ↑ "Olivia Dean explains the "Password Change", Track of the Week". The Blues Project. October 2019. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  42. ↑ "The title track from her debut EP, Olivia Dean's new single "OK Love You Bye" captures a pivotal moment in the young artist's life". The Line of Best Fit . November 2019. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  43. ↑ "Just For You (L.L.Bean Christmas Advert) - Single by Olivia Dean". Apple Music. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  44. ↑ "Olivia Dean "Crosswords"". Alfitude. 12 March 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  45. ↑ "Olivia Dean has unveiled a mesmerising new track "Baby Come Home"". Read Dork. 1 June 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  46. 1 2 "ARIA On Replay Singles Chart" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  47. 1 2 "Dutch Single Tip – 06/09/2025" (in Dutch). MegaCharts . Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  48. ↑ "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 36, 2025". Sverigetopplistan . Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  49. 1 2 3 "New Zealand single certifications – Olivia Dean". Radioscope. Retrieved 12 September 2025.Type Olivia Dean in the "Search:" field.
  50. ↑ Murray, Robin (16 April 2021). "Olivia Dean Finds Independence With 'Be My Own Boyfriend'". Clash . Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  51. ↑ Saftner, EJ (15 July 2021). "Olivia Dean's "Slowly" Turns Vulnerability Into a Superpower". Ones to Watch . Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  52. ↑ "Olivia Dean Shares video for "The Christmas Song"". Universal Music Canada. 3 December 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  53. ↑ "Wish I Didn't Miss You (Mahogany Sessions) - Single by Olivia Dean". Apple Music. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  54. ↑ "Danger". Alfitude. 25 October 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  55. ↑ "Olivia Dean Takes You into Another Planet with "UFO"". New Wave Magazine. 6 February 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  56. ↑ "Olivia Dean "Carmen"". Euphoria Magazine. 30 May 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  57. ↑ Taylor, Sam (16 June 2023). "Olivia Dean Has Teamed Up with Leon Bridges for a New Version of The Hardest Part". Dork . Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  58. ↑ "Ladies Room". U Discover Music. 29 September 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  59. ↑ "Olivia Dean embraces rock in new single-take video for "Time"". Why Now. 12 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  60. ↑ "You Can't Hurry Love (Live at Jools' Annual Hootenanny) - Single by Olivia Dean, Jools Holland and His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra". Apple Music. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  61. ↑ "Olivia Dean has released a new single about falling in love, "Touching Toes"". Read Dork. 15 November 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  62. ↑ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 1 September 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  63. ↑ "Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  64. ↑ "Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 18 July 2025. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  65. ↑ "Toast to our Differences (Deluxe) - Album by Rudimental". Apple Music. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  66. ↑ Solomon, Kate (19 July 2023). "Call Me a Lioness: Melanie C, Self Esteem and more record song for Women's World Cup". The Guardian . Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  67. ↑ Carter, Daisy (1 September 2023). "OLIVIA DEAN ANNOUNCES UK AND EU HEADLINE TOUR FOR 2024". DIY .
  68. ↑ "UK Music Video Awards 2020: all the nominations!". Promonews. 29 September 2020.
  69. ↑ Snapes, Laura (27 July 2023). "Mercury Prize 2023: Arctic Monkeys tie Radiohead's record for most nominations". The Guardian .
  70. ↑ "Brit awards 2024 – full list of winners". The Guardian. 2 March 2024. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 6 March 2024.
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