Olivia (Olivia album)

debut album by R&B singer Olivia

Olivia is the self-titled debut studio album by American singer and songwriter Olivia. It was released on May 15, 2001, through J. As Olivia was the first artist signed to the record label, Olivia was referred to as "the First Lady of J". Its lyrics revolve around sexuality and romance. Critics noticed two distinct tones on the album, which Olivia identified as "softer R&B" alongside "harder hip hop" sounds. Olivia wrote six of the album's twelve tracks where she sings and raps.

Olivia
Studio album by
ReleasedMay 15, 2001
Genre
Length49:10
Label
Producer
Singles from Olivia
  1. "Bizounce"
    Released: March 20, 2001
  2. "Are U Capable"
    Released: June 12, 2001

Composition and lyrics

change

Olivia is a R&B album consisting of twelve tracks.[1][2] Critics had different opinions on its influences.[1][3][4] According to MTV News' Shaheem Reid, the album features "R&B with elements of jazz and hip-hop".[1] Billboard's Richard B. Henderson referred to the songs as "a mixture of rap, R&B, and dance.[4] The Morning Call's Len Righi wrote the compositions were "sweet instrumental R&B" similar to those for Alicia Keys.[3]

Critical reception

change
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [2]
Entertainment WeeklyB−[5]
Q     [6]

Olivia received a mixed response from critics. A Honey reviewer saw Olivia as a "real voice" in hip hop soul,[7] and a CMJ critic saw the album as "unique and ground-breaking".[8] A Q magazine reviewer wrote that Olivia was "well-versed in the not always noble art of the R&B ballad" and the music had "a list of saucy demands that would make Lil' Kim blush".[6] In a The Source review, a contributor found Olivia to be the "most memorable when she's in woman-scorned mode" and compared her to "a thugged-out Aaliyah and pissed-off Mýa".[9]

Track listing

change
Olivia track listing
No. TitleProducer(s) Length
1. "Bizounce"  
  • Allen
  • Thompson
4:24
2. "Are U Capable"  
  • Thompson
  • Peters[a]
3:08
3. "You Got the Damn Thing"  The Underdogs 3:52
4. "Silly Bitch in Love"  Wilson 3:34
5. "It's On Again"  
  • Fusari
  • Thompson
4:35
6. "Woop-T-Woo"   4:31
7. "Whoadie" (featuring Petey Pablo)
  • Spydaman
  • Fran Lover
4:07
8. "'Til He Comes Home"  
  • Conley
  • Wilson[a]
4:55
9. "Bring Da Roof Down"  
  • Thompson
  • Peters[a]
2:58
10. "When 2 Souls Touch"  
  • Fusari
  • Thompson
4:39
11. "Lower 2 My Heart"  Thompson 4:13
12. "Look Around" (duet with Jimmy Cozier)Fanatic 5:14
Total length:
49:10
Japanese bonus track
No. TitleProducer(s) Length
13. "Under New Conditions"  
  • Thompson
  • Peters[a]
3:05
Total length:
52:15

Notes

  • ^[a] denotes a co-producer

Personnel

change

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Olivia, J, BMG Rights Management:[10]

Charts

change
Chart performance for Olivia
Chart (2001) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[11] 55
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[12] 22

References

change

Citations

change
  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Cite error: The named reference Source6 was used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page).
  2. 2.0 2.1 Cite error: The named reference Source5 was used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page).
  3. 3.0 3.1 Righi, Len (August 11, 2001). "Aaliyah and Olivia". The Morning Call. Archived from the original on April 15, 2019.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Henderson, Richard B. (May 19, 2001). "Reviews & Previews: Olivia". Billboard. Vol. 113, no. 20. p. 18. Archived from the original on April 16, 2019 – via Google Books.
  5. Cite error: The named reference Source11 was used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page).
  6. 6.0 6.1 "Olivia Review". Q. London: Bauer Media Group. Summer 2001.
  7. "The Hottest Stars from J Records to You..." CMJ New Music Report. 69 (743): 31. December 17, 2001. Archived from the original on May 28, 2016 – via Google Books.
  8. "Olivia Review". CMJ. New York City. March 30, 2001.
  9. "Olivia Review". The Source. New York City. June 2001.
  10. Olivia (Inlay cover). Olivia. J, BMG. May 15, 2001.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. "Olivia Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
  12. "Olivia Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 10, 2016.

Book sources

change