Olivia (Olivia album)

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.

Composition and lyrics

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

Critical reception

Olivia received a mixed response from critics. A Honey reviewer saw Olivia as a "real voice" in hip hop soul, and a CMJ critic saw the album as "unique and ground-breaking". 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". 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".

Track listing

Notes
 denotes a co-producer

 Personnel 
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Olivia, J, BMG Rights Management:

Performance credits
Tavia Ivey  – vocals (background)
Olivia Longott  – primary artist
Tamara Powell  – vocals (background)

Visuals and imagery
Eric Altenburger  – retouching
June Ambrose  – stylist
Marc Baptiste  – photography
Sheryl Lutz-Brown  – design
Ralph Robinson  – assistant

Instruments
Eddie Allen  – horn
Baby Paul  – drum programming
Everett Collins  – keyboards
Angel Papo Vasquez  – horn
Bruce Williams  – horn
Warren Wilson  – bass, composer, producer, vocal producer

Technical and production
Charles "Prince Charles" Alexander  – engineer, mixing, producer
Louis Alfred III  – engineer
Doug Allen  – composer, guitar, keyboards
Scott Andrews  – arranger, engineer, programming
Rufus Blaq  – producer, vocals (background)
Earl Cohen  – engineer, mixing
Tom Coyne  – mastering
Jimmy Cozier  – composer, guest artist, vocal arrangement
Cheri Dennis  – composer
Rob Fusari  – composer, producer
Pete Karam  – engineer
Khadejia Bass  – composer
Manny Marroquin  – mixing
Tony Maserati  – mixing
Harvey Mason Jr.  – composer, producer
Victor McCoy  – assistant 
Bart Migal  – assistant
Lamar Mitchell  – composer
Francisco G. Palacios  – composer
Trina Powell  – composer, vocals (background)
Warren Robinson  – composer
John Roper  – digital transfers
Steve Russell  – composer
Damon Thomas  – composer, producer
Joshua Thompson  – composer
Elai Tubo  – engineer, mixing

Charts
+ Chart performance for Olivia Chart (2001) Peak position

 References 
Citations

Book sources

Category:2001 albums
Category:Debut albums
Category:Hip hop albums
Category:Jazz albums
Category:R&B albums