Olivia Dean, who was recently named BBC Introducing’s Artist of the Year, is not someone who would ever feel like “the odd one out.” She has had a great start to her music career, with a top four debut album, playing at Glastonbury, and being nominated for a Mercury Music Prize. In a recent interview with BBC Newsbeat, the 24-year-old singer recounted growing up in Highams Park, north east London – where she often felt muted as one of only a few black girls in her class. She straightened her hair and tried to assimilate with all the other girls. However, one thing she never doubted was her love for music, singing in assemblies “all the time” and, thanks to her supportive parents, securing a spot at the prestigious Brit School performing arts college, where she found her tribe.
After getting her big break as a backing singer with Rudimental, Olivia then secured her first album, Messy. The album was nominated for the Mercury prize, which she describes as “a pure curveball.” Success has kept her busy – she has also performed on Later… With Jools Holland and covered Beyoncé in the Radio 1 Live Lounge.
Although Olivia’s music takes her all over the world, she says she is nevertheless “London through and through.” Love, and the loss of it, is a huge inspiration for her. Her album Messy, featuring singles including The Hardest Part and Dive, maps the journey of falling in love again after a break-up. But, the seeds for her songs also come from some unexpected places. The inspiration behind Ladies Room, for example, came out of an overheard conversation in a south London pub toilet.
Olivia has experienced imposter syndrome and has wrestled with her identity as well. Her experiences have taught her that being in control of her own sound is a priority. She likes to chill with her team for a couple of hours before work, having long chats over cups of tea – something that fits her well. But, nurturing her mental health has also been an important part of the process. She says therapy has taught her the value of really open communication, having a conversation where you’re really listening, and getting to the root of why you behave the way you do.
The future is set to be just as busy for Olivia with more dates on her tour next year, but one thing she’s dreaming of is another set at Glastonbury. “The sight of looking out at all those festival-goers is the most beautiful thing in the world,” she says. “I was really there in that moment, and I hope I get to have another moment like that.
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