December’s Artist of the Month is… Olivia Dean
Olivia Lauryn Dean (born 14 March 1999) is a British singer and songwriter with two studio albums, Messy (2023) and The Art of Loving (2025), two live albums, and four EPs. She has been recognized as Amazon Music’s breakthrough artist of the year (2021) and BBC Music Introducing Artist of the Year (2023), and has received nominations for a Grammy Award, the Mercury Prize, and three Brit Awards. Her 2025 single “Man I Need” topped the UK singles chart and became an international breakthrough hit.
Born in the London Borough of Haringey to a Jamaican-Guyanese mother and English father, Dean grew up in Highams Park and attended the BRIT School, initially studying theatre before switching to songwriting. She began her career in 2017 as a backing vocalist for Rudimental before self-releasing her debut single “Reason to Stay” in 2018. After signing with AMF Records and Virgin EMI Records, she released her debut EP, OK Love You Bye, in 2019. Her second album, The Art of Loving, was released in September 2025 and launched her to global success, including a performance on Saturday Night Live in November 2025.
Dean cites Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse, Adele, Carole King, and the Supremes as influences. Her music is described as combining “devastating heartbreak ballads and sing-along self-love anthems.” She is a brand ambassador for Chanel and will be the face of the Burberry Her fragrance in January 2026. Dean is a self-described “very strong feminist,” and her mother is the deputy leader of the Women’s Equality Party.
Follow Olivia on Social Media…
@oliviadeano_ it’s so easy !!! one more show short and sweet show #livemusic ♬ So Easy (To Fall In Love) - Olivia Dean
@oliviadeano_ @Saturday Night Live - SNL thank you for having us 🥹🥹🥹 and in custom @VERSACE styled by queen simone beyene !!! #livemusic ♬ Let Alone The One You Love - Olivia Dean
RANDOM FUN FAST FACTS:
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Her middle name, Lauryn, was inspired by musician Lauryn Hill.
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She sang “Tomorrow” from the musical Annie in a school competition, but was so nervous she turned her back and cried before winning second place.
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During the pandemic she toured the UK in a van, performing for small groups in random locations.
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Learned to DJ and knit: She enjoys knitting and has taken up DJing, describing them as being on “opposite ends of the spectrum”.
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A “70s girl”: She is obsessed with 70s fashion and wishes she could have lived in that decade.
