Olivia Dean

Olivia Dean
Dean performing at BST Hyde Park, 2025
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
OriginHighams Park, London, England[1]
Genres
OccupationSinger
InstrumentVocals
Years active2017–present
Labels

Olivia Lauryn Dean (born 14 March 1999) is an English neo soul singer.[4] She has released five EPs and one studio album, Messy (2023) with her follow-up album The Art of Loving 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.

Biography

[edit]

Early life

[edit]

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

[edit]

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]

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][13] 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.[14]

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.[15][16] Prior to the release, she was previously named the breakthrough artist of the year by Amazon Music.[17]

In 2023, Dean was selected as BBC Music Introducing Artist of the Year.[18]

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

Dean performed at Glastonbury Festival 2024.[19] On 26 June 2024, she released a single, "Time".[20] 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.[21] In February 2025, Dean released the single "It Isn't Perfect But It Might Be" for the film Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.[22]

Her second album, The Art of Loving, is set to be released on 26 September 2025.[23]

Artistry and influences

[edit]

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

[edit]

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.[24]

Tours

[edit]

Headlining

Opening act

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
List of studio albums, with selected details, chart positions and certifications
Title Details Peak chart positions Certifications
UK
[26]
SCO
[26]
Messy
  • Released: 30 June 2023
  • Label: EMI
  • Formats: CD, cassette, digital download, streaming, vinyl
4 10
The Art of Loving To be released

EPs

[edit]
List of extended plays, with selected details and chart positions
Title Details Peak chart positions
SCO
[26]
Ok Love You Bye
  • Released: 22 November 2019[13]
  • Label: AMF / EMI Records
What Am I Gonna Do on Sundays?
  • Released: 4 December 2020[14]
  • Label: AMF / EMI Records
Olivia Dean If You Know What I Mean
  • Released: 4 June 2021
  • Label: UMG Recordings
19
Growth
  • Released: 30 July 2021[28]
  • Label: AMF / EMI Records
"—" denotes recording that did not chart in that territory.

Singles

[edit]

As lead artist

[edit]
List of singles as lead artist, with select chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
UK
[26]
AUS
[29]
EST
Air.

[30]
IRE
[31]
NOR
[32]
NZ
[33]
SWE
[34]
"Reason to Stay" 2018 * OK Love You Bye
"Password Change" 2019
"Baby Come Home" 2020 Non-album singles
"Crosswords"
"The Hardest Part" What Am I Gonna Do On Sundays?
"Merry Christmas Everyone" Non-album single
"Echo" What Am I Gonna Do On Sundays?
"Be My Own Boyfriend"[36] 2021 Growth
"Slowly"[37]
"The Christmas Song" 19 Non-album single
"Danger" 2022 Messy
"UFO" 2023
"Dive" 59 97
"Carmen"
"The Hardest Part"
(re-release with Leon Bridges)[38]
"Ladies Room"
"Time" 2024 Non-album singles
"Touching Toes"
"It Isn't Perfect But It Might Be"[39] 2025 36 Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
"Nice to Each Other"[40] 9 24 52 11 19 [A] The Art of Loving
"Rein Me In"
(with Sam Fender)[42]
6 13 [B] Non-album single
"Lady Lady"[44] 38 70 [C] The Art of Loving
"Man I Need"[46] 8 43 17 62 31 100
"—" denotes recording that did not chart in that territory.
"*" denotes that the chart did not exist at that time.
[edit]

Other certified songs

[edit]
Title Year Certifications Album
"Ok Love You Bye" 2019 Ok Love You Bye

Music videos

[edit]
List of music videos
Year Title
2019 "Password Change"
"Ok Love You Bye"
2020 "Crosswords"
"Baby Come Home"
"The Hardest Part"
"Echo"
2021 "Be My Own Boyfriend"
"Slowly"
2022 "Danger"
2023 "UFO"
"Dive"
"Call Me a Lioness"
2024 "Time"
2025 "Nice to Each Other"
"Lady Lady"
"Man I Need"

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Awards Category Nominee Result Ref
2020 UK Music Video Awards Best R&B/Soul Video – UK "Password Change" Nominated [47]
2023 Mercury Prize Messy Nominated [48]
2024 Brit Awards Best Pop Act Herself Nominated [49]
British Artist of the Year Nominated
Best New Artist Nominated

Notes

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  1. ^ "Nice to Each Other" did not enter the Swedish Singellista Chart, but peaked at number 17 on the Swedish Heatseeker Chart.[41]
  2. ^ "Rein Me In" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 18 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.[43]
  3. ^ "Lady Lady" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 23 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.[45]

References

[edit]
  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. ^ a b Kheraj, Alim (30 June 2023). "Olivia Dean: Messy review – hackneyed British soul tropes do singer a disservice". The Guardian.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i Van Dyke, Isobel (9 March 2023). "How Olivia Dean became a superstar without releasing an album". The Evening Standard.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b "Premiere: Olivia – 'Reason to Stay'". Wonderland. 26 October 2018.
  11. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b Watson, Kayleigh (22 November 2019). "Olivia Dean embarks on her next chapter with positivity in "OK Love You Bye"". The Line of Best Fit.
  14. ^ a b "OLIVIA DEAN HAS SHARED A NEW SONG FROM HER UPCOMING 'WHAT AM I GONNA DO ON SUNDAYS?' EP". Dork. 21 October 2020.
  15. ^ "Olivia Dean". Official Charts Company.
  16. ^ Griffiths, George (3 November 2021). "Amazon Music's exclusive Christmas songs line-up revealed". Official Charts Company.
  17. ^ Sherwin, Adam (12 April 2021). "London soul singer Olivia Dean named Amazon Music 2021 Breakthrough Artist". i.
  18. ^ "BBC Music Introducing Artist of the Year". BBC Music.
  19. ^ Roberts, Hannah; Dracott, Ed (28 June 2024). "Olivia Dean pays tribute to grandmother and Windrush generation at Glastonbury". Indy100. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  20. ^ Murray, Robin (27 June 2024). "Olivia Dean's 'Time' Hones In On Her Performance Technique". Clash. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  21. ^ Fan, Leah. "Olivia Dean Closes the Year With Sentimental Single 'Touching Toes'". newwavemagazine.com. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  22. ^ "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.
  23. ^ a b Carter, Daisy (2 June 2025). "Olivia Dean confirms plans for anticipated second LP 'The Art Of Loving'". DIY. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  24. ^ Greenwood, Al (17 June 2022). "Strike A Chord". Glorious - Culture in Play. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  25. ^ Carter, Daisy (1 September 2023). "OLIVIA DEAN ANNOUNCES UK AND EU HEADLINE TOUR FOR 2024". DIY.
  26. ^ a b c d Peak chart positions in the United Kingdom:
  27. ^ a b c d e f "British certifications – Olivia Dean". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 23 August 2025. Type Olivia Dean in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  28. ^ "OLIVIA DEAN DETAILS NEW EP 'GROWTH'". DIY. 9 July 2021.
  29. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 25 August 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  30. ^ Peak chart positions for singles in Estonian Airplay:
  31. ^ Peaks on the Irish Singles Chart:
  32. ^ "Singel 2025 uke 34". IFPI Norge. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  33. ^ "Official Top 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 22 August 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  34. ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 34, 2025". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  35. ^ a b "New Zealand single certifications – Olivia Dean". Radioscope. Retrieved 23 August 2025. Type Olivia Dean in the "Search:" field.
  36. ^ Murray, Robin (16 April 2021). "Olivia Dean Finds Independence With 'Be My Own Boyfriend'". Clash.
  37. ^ Saftner, EJ (15 July 2021). "Olivia Dean's "Slowly" Turns Vulnerability Into a Superpower". Ones to Watch.
  38. ^ Taylor, Sam (16 June 2023). "Olivia Dean Has Teamed Up with Leon Bridges for a New Version of The Hardest Part". Dork.
  39. ^ Carter, Daisy (12 February 2025). "Olivia Dean shares Bridget Jones soundtrack cut 'It Isn't Perfect But It Might Be'". DIY. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  40. ^ Damara Kelly, Tyler (30 May 2025). "Olivia Dean returns with new single, "Nice To Each Other"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  41. ^ "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 34, 2025". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  42. ^ "Sam Fender Unveils "Rein Me In" Collab With Olivia Dean: Listen Here". Billboard. 20 June 2025. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
  43. ^ "Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  44. ^ Taylor, Sam (11 July 2025). "Olivia Dean has released a video for 'Lady Lady' with ballet star Francesca Hayward". Dork. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  45. ^ "Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 18 July 2025. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  46. ^ Damara Kelly, Tyler (15 August 2025). "Olivia Dean presents new single, "Man I Need"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  47. ^ "UK Music Video Awards 2020: all the nominations!". Promonews. 29 September 2020.
  48. ^ Snapes, Laura (27 July 2023). "Mercury Prize 2023: Arctic Monkeys tie Radiohead's record for most nominations". The Guardian.
  49. ^ "Brit awards 2024 – full list of winners". The Guardian. 2 March 2024. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 6 March 2024.