OMARION Biography - Musicians

 
 

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OMARION

Name: Omarion                                                                           
Birth name: Omari Ishmael Grandberry                                                     
Born: 12 November 1984 Inglewood, California                                             
                                                                                         
Omari Ishmael Grandberry (born November 12, 1984), better known as Omarion, is           
an American Grammy-nominated R&B singer, actor, songwriter, record producer,             
dancer, founder of the group 2 Much, and the former lead singer of boy band B2K.         
                                                                                         
Omari Ishmael Grandberry was born in Inglewood, California, the son of Leslie (nee       
Burrell) and Trent Grandberry. He is the oldest of seven children. His                   
younger brother O'Ryan is also a singer. Omarion began to perform at age five.           
He was part of "UAC"(Under Aged Criminals) but soon disbanded as he wanted to           
focus on his talent as an entertainer. Before he made it into the music business,       
he was in commercials for Kelloggs Corn Pops and McDonald's                             
                                                                                         
Almost a year after the multi platinum group, B2K's split, Omarion released his         
debut album, O. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, going gold. The album             
included the successful song "O" and the smash hit [produced by Pharell Williams         
of the Neptunes] "Touch". That same year, he was featured on Bow Wow's hit song         
"Let Me Hold You. The song reached #4 of the Billboard 100, becoming one of             
Omarion's first top-ten singles as a solo artist.                                       
                                                                                         
In December of 2006, Omarion released his second album, 21, named for his age at         
the time he recorded it (though he turned 22 before the CD was released.) This           
album is rated 4 out of 5 stars(great) by All Music Guide, and is considered             
Omarions best album ever (solo and collaborative.) "Entourage"(Produced by Eric         
Hudson) was the first single released, the video for "Entourage" featured former         
B2K bandmate Lil' Fizz. The second single from 21, "Ice Box", produced by               
Timbaland, has gained significant radio airplay and has become his biggest               
single to date, peaking at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The video                 
features Beyonce's younger sister, Solange Knowles. There is an official remix           
featuring Usher as well as a DJ White Owl mix featuring Usher & Fabolous.               
                                                                                         
                                                                                         
In December of 2007, Omarion released his third project [a collaborative effort         
along side rapper Bow Wow], entitled "Face Off". The idea of the two coming             
together was originally that of super producer Jermaine Dupri. This was more of         
an event than project. The collaboration offered not only an album but a two             
part documentary entitled "The Road To Platinum". This was a BET special                 
following the two during the recording and promo. of the project. The first             
single released was written by The Dream [who also penned Rihanna's Umbrella]           
called "Girlfriend". The second single sampled LL Cool J's "Going Back To Cali"         
and was entitled "Hey Baby". "Face Off" entered the official Billboard 200 album         
chart at #12, was the #1 Rap album in the country and #2 R'n'B album.                   
                                                                                         
                                                                                         
Omarion currently holds light as one of the best dancers in his generation in           
music. He is best known for his tutting, popping, locking and waving, (along             
with intricate choreography). He has been trained in Street Dancing, break               
dancing (during the making of his first movie You Got Served) and can tap               
dance.                                                                                   
                                                                                         
In August 2007, Omarion and an entourage of 12 including The Game perfomed a             
concert in Luanda, Angola with two dates on August 11 and August 12 at the               
Atlantico Cinema produced by Casa Blanca company.                                       
                                                                                         
In early 2004, Omarion appeared in several films, most notably You Got Served,           
in which he starred alongside his label mate Marques Houston and his former B2K         
bandmates at the time. The movie centered around a group of friends in a                 
breakdancing crew who take part in a street dancing competition. It managed to           
earn $40 million worldwide.                                                             
                                                                                         
Later that year he had the role of the school bully "Reggie" in the comedy Fat           
Albert, based on the animated series Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids. This also           
starred Kyla Pratt.                                                                     
                                                                                         
In late 2007 Omarion, alongside Marques Houston, Alexis Fields and Brooklyn             
Sudano [daughter of Donna Summer], in the urban thriller/horror "Somebody Help           
Me". This was released only on DVD and aired on B.E.T in celebration of                 
Halloween.                                                                               
                                                                                         
Omarion also starred in Feel the Noise, which was produced by Jennifer Lopez. A         
drama about a young, troubled rapper "Rob" from Harlem who vacates to Puerto             
Rico with his estranged father, finding his love for the native island's 'Reggaeton'     
music and love interest "CC" played by up and comming actress Zulay Henao. The           
single for the film, called "Cut Off Time", features Kat DeLuna.                         
                                                                                         
Omarion has also given guest appearances in the sitcoms "One on One" firstly as         
"Nytemare" Kyla Pratt's love interest and secondly as "Darius". From this a spin         
off to the show was created entitled "Cuts", starring alongside Marques Houston.         
Omarion has also previously appeared on "The Bernie Mac Show" as "Shonte".               
                                                                                         
2008- Omarion is due to appear in another dance movie, deemed to 'out do' all           
previous dance movies [made after "You Got Served"] called "Back Down". Filming         
is to take place early 2008, a release date has yet to be announced.                     
                                                                                         
Omarion was set to tour with Avant and Marques Houston called Get Served in             
Australia, originally scheduled for November 2007 and rescheduled for February           
2008, it has been cancelled due to 'security reasons'. However it has been cited         
that its cancellation was due to poor ticket sales.