Omarion

Omari Ishmael Grandberry (born November 12, 1984), known by his stage name Omarion, is an American singer, songwriter, actor and dancer. He is best known as the lead singer of the American R&B boy band B2K; the group achieved success in the early 2000s with singles like "Bump, Bump, Bump", "Uh Huh", and "Girlfriend", which all reached success on the Billboard Hot 100. After the group disbanded in 2004, Omarion embarked on a solo career and released his debut album, O in 2005, which debuted atop the Billboard 200 and received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Contemporary R&B Album at the 48th Grammy Awards.
His second solo album, 21 (2006), contained "Ice Box", which reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. His third solo album, Ollusion (2010), was released on January 12, 2010, with the lead single, "I Get It In".[1] His fourth solo album, Sex Playlist (2014), spawned the single, "Post to Be", which was certified 3x platinum and reached number 13 on the Hot 100 chart in May 2015.[2] Omarion has also ventured into acting, with appearances in films such as You Got Served, Fat Albert, Somebody Help Me and The Proud Family Movie.
== Early life ==
Omarion was born Omari Ishmael Grandberry on November 12, 1984 in Inglewood, California, to Leslie Burrell and Trent Grandberry. His younger brother, O'Ryan is also a singer.[3] He appeared in commercials for both Kelloggs Corn Pops and McDonald's. He started his dancing career as a background dancer for the R&B girl group Before Dark and appeared in their music videos. Omari soon began pursuing a career in music, and would go on to become the lead singer of the boy band B2K.
== Career ==
=== 1999–2004: B2K ===
Omari joined the group B2K in 1999 and took the stage name Omarion. The group named themselves B2K, an acronym for "Boys of The New Millennium". They began touring with Lil Bow Wow, and eventually released their debut single, "Uh Huh," in 2001. They soon after released their debut album, the self-titled B2Kon March 12, 2002. The album peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop albums chart. They followed the album up in December with their second album, Pandemonium!, supported by their most successful single, Bump, Bump, Bump featuring P. Diddy. The single peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. This would prove to be the group's last album, as they would disband in early 2004.
=== 2005–07: O and 21 ===
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 B2Kbandmates.[4] The movie centered on a group of friends in a hip hop dance crew who take part in underground dance competitions. That same year, he played the role of the school bully "Reggie" in the comedy Fat Albert, based on the animated series Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids.[5] On February 22, 2005, Omarion released his debut solo album O. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts. The first single from the album was "O". The single peaked at #27 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The second single "Touch", peaked at #94 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album received a third and final release with, "I'm Tryna". O has sold over 758,000 copies in the United States since its release. Omarion received a Grammy nomination for the album at the 48th Grammy Awards for Best Contemporary R&B Album. 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". The second single "Ice Box", produced by Timbaland, peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is Omarion's most successful solo single to date,[6] reaching gold certification by the RIAA.[7] 21 has sold over 390,000 copies in the United States since its release.
=== 2007–10: Face Off and Ollusion ===
Towards the end of 2007, he displayed his acting skills in the thriller Somebody Help Me. This movie was released exclusively on DVD and aired on BET in celebration of Halloween.[8] 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.[9] His portrayal of a rapper who gets involved with thugs in the movie Feel the Noise received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics.[10][11] Omarion also co-produced Feel the Noise.[12] In late 2007, Omarion and Bow Wow recorded a collaboration album entitled 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.[13] The first single from the album was "Girlfriend", followed up by "Hey Baby" as the second single.
On March 30, 2009, Lil Wayne confirmed that Omarion was affiliated (though not officially signed) with Young Money Entertainment. Four months later he parted ways with the label; both Lil Wayne and Omarion confirmed that his departure had been for business reasons.[14][15][16] In early 2010, Omarion signed with EMIand created his own label, StarrWorld Entertainment.[17][18] Omarion later re-released the single "I Get It In" with Lil Wayne replaced by Gucci Mane. Then he released his second single "Speedin'". He released his third studio album Ollusion, which sold 19,400 copies in its first week.[19]
=== 2011–present: Sex Playlist and Reasons ===
In 2010, Omarion became a judge on the fifth season of America's Best Dance Crew, replacing former judge Shane Sparks. He left after Season 5 to focus on his music career. 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. 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 2012 album Japonesque and appeared in the music video. On May 2, 2012, Omarion signed with Rick Ross label Maybach Music Group and Warner Bros. Records. He then appeared on Self Made Vol. 2 and is set to release his debut EP through the labels. Also in 2012, Omarion signed to Jay-Z's Roc Nation Management.[20]On November 29, 2012, Omarion released his debut EP Care Package. On November 5, 2013 Omarion released his second EP Care Package 2.
On August 18, 2014, Omarion was cast to be a part of Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood along with his mother, and girlfriend Apryl Jones while awaiting the arrival of their first child. In November 2014, Omarion released the single "You Like It" in promotion of his fourth studio album "SexPlaylist" on February 14, 2014. The second single, "Post to Be," features Chris Brown and Jhené Aiko.[21]"Post to Be" gained substantial commercial success, reaching No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.[22] The song also peaked in the top ten on Urban Radio chart, Rhythmic chart, and the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and reached gold status by the RIAA in May 2015.[23] He released his fourth studio album, Sex Playlist, on December 2, 2014.
In June 2015, Omarion stated in an interview that he wanted to open his own dance studio by the end of the year.[24]
== Personal life ==
In 2014, Omarion and his girlfriend had a son,[25][26] and a daughter in 2016.[27]The couple ended their relationship in July 2016.[28]
== Discography ==
Main article: Omarion discography
See also: B2K discography
; Studio albums
* O (2005)
* 21 (2006)
* Ollusion (2010)
* Sex Playlist (2014)
* Reasons (TBA)
; Collaboration albums
* B2K (with B2K) (2002)
* Pandemonium! (with B2K) (2002)
* Face Off (with Bow Wow) (2007)
== Filmography ==
; Films
Year	Film 	Role 	Notes
2004	You Got Served 	David 	lead role
2004	Fat Albert 	Reggie 	main role
2005	The Proud Family Movie	Fifteen Cent 	main role
2007	Feel the Noise 	Rob 	lead role
2007	Somebody Help Me 	Darryl Jennings	lead role
2010	Wrong Side of Town 	Stash 	cast
2010	Somebody Help Me 2 	Darryl Jennings	lead role
; Television
Year 	Title 	Role 	Notes
2004, 2005	The Bernie Mac Show 	Shonte 	Episodes: "Family Reunion" and "Who Gives This Bride"
2004, 2006	One on One 	Darius/Nytmare	Episodes:"East Meets East Coast" and "Double Trouble"
2004, 2006	Cuts 	Darius 	6 Episodes
2009 	Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami	as Himself 	One episode "All Men are Dogs"
2010 	America's Best Dance Crew 	as Himself 	Replaced former Judge Shane Sparks
2012 	Let's Stay Together 	as Julian 	Season 2, Episode 12 "The Choice is Yours"
2014–2015 	Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood 	as Himself 	Main Cast
== Awards and nominations ==
* African Muzik Magazine Awards
Year	Nominee / work 	Award 	Result
2018	Diamond Platnumz Feat Omarion - African Beauty	Best Collaboration	Won
* African Entertainment Awards
Year	Nominee / work 	Award 	Result
2018	Diamond Platnumz Feat Omarion - African Beauty	Best Collaboration	Won
* American Music Awards
Year	Nominee / work	Award 	Result
2005	Himself 	Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist	Nominated
* BET Awards
Year	Nominee / work	Award 	Result
2005	Himself 	Best New Artist	Won
2005	O 	Viewer's Choice	Won
* Urban Music Awards
Year	Nominee / work	Award 	Result
2007	Himself 	Most Inspiring Act	Won
* NAACP Image Awards
Year	Nominee / work 	Award 	Result
2006	Himself 	Outstanding New Artist 	Nominated
2008	Omarion with Bow Wow	Outstanding Duo or Group	Nominated
* Grammy Awards
Year	Nominee / work	Award 	Result
2006	O 	Best Contemporary R&B Album	Nominated
* iHeartRadio Music Awards
Year	Nominee / work 	Award 	Result
2016	Post to Be (featuring Chris Brown & Jhene Aiko)	R&B Song of the Year	Nominated
* MTV Movie Awards
Year	Nominee / work	Award 	Result
2004	You Got Served	Best Male Breakthrough Performance 	Nominated
2004	You Got Served	Best Dance Sequence with Marques Houston	Nominated
* Teen Choice Awards
Year	Nominee / work 	Award 	Result
2004	You Got Served 	Choice Breakout Movie Star – Male	Nominated
2005	"O" 	Choice Music: Make-Out Song 	Nominated
2005	Himself 	Choice Music: R&B Artist 	Nominated
2005	"Touch" 	Choice Music: R&B Track 	Nominated
2008	"Hey Baby (Jump Off)" w/ Bow Wow	Choice Music: R&B Track 	Nominated