The name must certainly ring a bell in the head. Hip Hop N More had the chance to interview the beautiful singer / songwriter / producer Olivia who is coming fresh off a deal with Universal Records and is now prepping the release of her brand new album titled Show The World. With an album title like that and a new management headed by Rich Dollaz (Ryan Leslie, Cassie, Gorilla Zoe), she is out to prove a point or two to the world that she’s much more than the girl you heard and saw on 50 Cent’s worldwide hit ‘Candy Shop’.
HHNM: Hey Olivia, thank you for taking out time for us. What’s keeping you busy these days?
Olivia: I’ve been doing movies, finishing the album, touring overseas. I’ve been working on my mixtape Under the Radar which is now available on OliviaWorldwide.com. I’m so excited! We’ve got amazing features including Drake on that “Control” record that’s been going crazy, Maino on the remix to “Take If Off.” I got a song with Webstar called “I Got U” and a little cameo in his video for “Tipsy” with Serani, who is also on the mixtape. I’m working hard, doing interviews, conference calls, treatments… I’ve been blessed. I’m excited.
HHNM: That’s great. I know you probably must be tired of those G-Unit questions by now. Don’t worry, we won’t be going deep into the drama but this is something I’ve always wanted to ask you: Any regrets?
Olivia: I don’t have any regrets. I just think you gotta go through what you gotta go through because it brings you to the next plateau. Nothing I do is a regret or I think is a mistake. I was supposed to go through what I went through to get where I am now.
HHNM: Nice to hear that. So if you just randomly bump into 50 tomorrow, what will it be like?
Olivia: When we finally see each other in person, it’ll be fine lol.
HHNM: So what is the relationship with Rich Dollaz like? How does it feel being managed by an experienced campaigner like him?
Olivia: I love Rich, I’m glad we teamed up. We probably met, I wanna say six or seven months ago. And it feels like I’ve known him my whole life. So it’s a great connection with the both of us, we work very well, I don’t have to tell him what I need done, like, he’ll call me and be on top of it all the time with like interviews and whatever. Most managers don’t talk to their artists on a daily basis and he does that, which is really good.
HHNM: Let’s talk about the album now. I know you’ve been working on it. When is it due?
Oliva: We’re still working on logistics and politics for an exact date but it’s definitely coming out later this year.
HHNM: Have you picked a name for it?
Olivia: Yes, it’s called ‘Show the World’.
HHNM: Nice one. Who all have you worked with so far? Both guests & producers..
Olivia: I’ve got Missy Elliot on there, Ne-Yo, B. Cox, Rockwilder, Betty Wright, Marcus Devon, Corte Ellis, just too many to name.
HHNM: Is there anyone out there who you really wish to work with but haven’t got the chance yet?
Olivia: That’s a hard one but Nicki Minaj and Trina are doing it real big for the females right now so I think a collabo with them would be hot.
HHNM: What is your dream collaboration?
Olivia: Just an all star female anthem with all the hottest female R&B singers and rappers coming together, a lot of female empowerment.
HHNM: I suppose the single ‘Take It Off’ that you released a few months back was just to warm things up. When can we expect to hear the first official single? Can you give us the title?
Olivia: We actually did not intend for ‘Take It Off’ to be the first single. It was actually leaked, which was a good thing. It worked out great. It’s been picking up really, really well, the play has been wonderful and the responses have been great and everybody’s loving it. The single is about taking it off obviously [laughs]. I was in the studio just vibing to the beat with my boy Cham, who did the record. Most people know I keep the studio really, really hot, so you’re gonna be sweating. So that’s where it came from. We started making fun, talking about “take it off,” and that’s where that record came from.
HHNM: What sort of sound are you aiming for on the album?
Olivia: The album ‘Show The World’ is coming soon; it’s completely done. We’re still working on a date. I got Missy Elliot on there, Ne-Yo, Brian Cox. The album is real sexy but I’m also talking about love, dabbling in a little heartbreak, things of that nature. I believe in approach. I might say things that are a little bit nasty but because I sing so sweet, you can’t really tell [laughs]. But I’m also not saying any outlandish things. I’m just speaking from my heart and saying how I feel. Majority of my music is a true story. It’s usually relatable to either myself, a best friend or someone really close to me, so it’s always gonna be personal.
HHNM: So I notice that you tweet quite a bit. How do you feel interacting with your fans directly through the micro-blogging site?
Olivia: It’s the big thing at the moment. The great thing about Twitter is you can use it on your phone. You just send things and you can get personal with your fans on a more direct level. It’s a little more intimate in that way.
HHNM: The men will be interested in this: Are you single?
Olivia: No but I can’t disclose who lol.
HHNM: Ok, one last question & this is something we ask everybody we interview here at Hip Hop N More: Prince or Michael Jackson and why?
Olivia: Wow hard one… Michael Jackson and Prince both are great artists who will be remembered throughout time. They are two artist with completely different walks. I’ve always considered Michael Jackson to be a true genius but I also like Prince. I can’t choose lol.
HHNM: Lol ok. Good luck on your future endeavors, we will be definitely keeping an eye. Any shout outs or message to the fans?
Olivia: I wanna tell the fans that I love them so much. The support is wonderful. I get on my website and my twitter @OliviaLongott and the outpour of people and the things they’ll say to me lifts me up. They’ll always tell me to keep my head up, we love you, we’ve heard that new record. After my situations with other labels, one would think people wouldn’t back me as much but it’s like they love me more and they wanna see me. So it’s a good thing for me because I wasn’t expecting that love.
Visit Olivia’s website | Follow her on Twitter | Download her ‘Under The Radar’ mixtape.