Omari Ishmael Grandberry, who is widely recognized by his stage name Omarion, holds a prominent place in the American entertainment scene as a multifaceted artist. Born on November 12, 1984, in Inglewood, California to parents Leslie Burrell and Trent Grandberry, his journey in the realms of R&B music, acting, and dance has left a lasting impact.
Omarion initially gained fame as the frontman of the iconic boy band, B2K. This group made waves in the early 2000s, enchanting audiences with hit singles like “Gots ta Be,” “Uh Huh,” “Girlfriend,” and the chart-topping sensation “Bump, Bump, Bump,” featuring P. Diddy.
Following B2K’s disbandment in 2004, Omarion embarked on a solo music career, marked by the release of his debut solo album, “O,” in 2005. Notably, “O” soared to the pinnacle of the Billboard 200 chart, earning him a Grammy Award nomination for Best Contemporary R&B Album at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards. In the same year, he collaborated with Bow Wow on the track “Let Me Hold You,” which peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.
His second solo endeavor, “21,” in 2006, replicated the success of its predecessor by clinching the top spot on the charts. The album spawned the hit single “Ice Box,” which stands as his highest-charting single, reaching the 12th position on the Hot 100. Subsequently, Omarion continued to delight his fans with his third studio album, “Ollusion,” released in 2010.
Omarion’s career took a dynamic turn when he signed with Rick Ross’ Maybach Music Group. Under this new partnership, he unveiled his fourth solo album, “Sex Playlist,” in 2014. The album featured the popular single “Post to Be,” which included collaborations with Chris Brown and Jhené Aiko, reaching the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and securing a 3× platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Besides his musical endeavors, Omarion ventured into acting, gracing the screen in films like “You Got Served,” “Fat Albert,” “Somebody Help Me,” and “The Proud Family Movie.” His impressive solo career has been recognized with prestigious awards, including a BET Award, a Billboard Music Award, and a Soul Train Music Award.
Omarion’s early career saw him emerge as a prominent figure in the entertainment world. His journey began as a background dancer for the R&B girl group Before Dark, where he also made appearances in their music videos. This experience laid the foundation for his future pursuits in the world of music and entertainment.