Olivia Dean

Olivia Lauryn Dean (born March 14, 1999) is a critically acclaimed British singer-songwriter hailing from Walthamstow, East London. Raised by a Jamaican-Guyanese mother and English father, she developed a passion for music early, joining a gospel choir at age eight and later attending the prestigious BRIT School. Though she initially studied theatre, she shifted her focus to songwriting, teaching herself guitar and piano. Dean’s career gained momentum after she was hired as a backing vocalist for Rudimental in 2017, later featuring on their 2019 track "Adrenaline". Her solo debut EP, OK Love You Bye, followed in 2019, showcasing a blend of neo-soul, pop, and jazz influences inspired by artists like Amy Winehouse, Lauryn Hill, and Carole King. Known for poignant, self-aware ballads about relationships, she was named Amazon Music's Breakthrough Artist of the Year in 2021. Her debut album, Messy (2023), solidified her rise, earning a Mercury Prize nomination and a BBC Music Introducing Artist of the Year award. In 2024, she performed at Glastonbury. Her second album, The Art of Loving, was released in September 2025, featuring the hit single "Man I Need," which peaked at number one on the UK singles chart and reached the top 10 on the Billboard Global 200. Beyond her music, she is a brand ambassador for Chanel.

Grammy-nominated British singer-songwriter Olivia Dean has consistently integrated philanthropy and social advocacy into her rising music career, focusing on supporting vulnerable young people and mental health initiatives. Since the early 2010s, she has utilized her platform to raise funds and awareness for various charitable causes. Her philanthropic efforts gained early momentum in 2010 when she supported the Teenage Cancer Trust by performing at the Royal Albert Hall for a JLS charity show. That same year, she contributed to the "Give Tilly a Hand" event, which raised funds for meningitis victim Tilly Lockley, and actively supported Anti-Bullying Week in the UK with a public campaign encouraging young people to stand up to bullies. Throughout her career, Dean has partnered with organizations like Oxfam, performing at the 2010 Oxjam Festival to support the charity’s anti-poverty efforts. In 2011, she furthered her charity work by collaborating with Comic Relief, launching an eBay competition that raised funds for the organization. In addition to traditional charity work, Dean has recently engaged in consumer advocacy. In late 2025, she heavily criticized Ticketmaster for exploitative ticket pricing, taking a stand to protect fans—specifically motivated by a story from a single mother facing high resale prices. This reflects a commitment to making her music and live performances accessible and ethical. Through her combination of performances for, and promotion of, causes ranging from health to anti-bullying, Olivia Dean has established a consistent dedication to using her artistic influence for social good.