Posted on January 18, 2010 - by Antoinette

Review: Omarion – Ollusion

Ok…so I know this isn’t exactly hip hop- per se, but try to cut me some slack. Tell you what- the title of track number 10 is “I Think My Girl Is Bi”. There-that should hold your attention long enough for me to finish the review.

Omari Ismael Grandberry, better known as Omarion and formerly of the early 2000’s boy band B2K, released his third studio album- Ollusion (EMI/Starworld Entertainment) on January 12. The interesting thing about this album, (which, by the way- will explain why it has anything to do with hip hop) is that it was supposed to be released on what has become the Emerald City of labels for rappers far and wide- Young Money Entertainment. “Supposed” would be the operative word here.

After signing with Young Money in July of ‘09’, Omarion completed the album and then, surprisingly, asked for a release from his contract. The reports are, basically that he wanted to be free to do his music his way. After he was released, he formed Starworld Entertainment and managed to land a deal with EMI. Bold move or big mistake? Guess we’ll see how it works out for him in the coming weeks.

Ollusion is off to a good start with the first single, “I Get It In” (featuring Gucci Mane). The track was leaked early, but the pounding beat and memorable hook made it a favorite off the top with all the former screaming B2K fans that have now grown into young-womanhood and were hoping they could bring Omarion along with them.

The aforementioned “I Think My Girl Is Bi” is catchy and worth listening to- if for no other reason than to check out the lyrics. “Sometimes she can’t keep her pretty hands off me/but when she’s with her girlfriend/she don’t even see/she can spot a pretty girl faster than I can/she tells me that she loves me but I’m tryna understand/I think my girl is bi-aye-aye-aye-aye-aye-aye.” Interesting….

Slated to be the next single from the album, “Hoodie” (featuring Jay Rock), is questionable in the beginning, with Omarion declaring; “Man, I’m fresh as hell in this hoodie.” Ok… if you say so. The song doesn’t pick up much from there. He goes on to describe the rest of his outfit and there’s some more nonsense about “gettin’ money” and what not. It’s marketable, if not memorable.

“Sweet Hangover” (produced by T-Pain and featuring Ryan Leslie) is a mid-tempo joint that will fit in nicely with the rest of the “slow jam” selections on that CD you’re making for your next date night. “What Do You Say” would also make the cut.

If you’re looking for a song that measures up to the Timbaland produced “Icebox” from Omarion’s second album, 21- you’ll be disappointed, but the album, as a whole, is decent. Ollusion earns its parental advisory sticker, which proves Omarion has matured to adulthood- not always a manageable transition for someone who grew up in the R&B spotlight (just ask the rest of B2K, Tevin Campbell and the two missing members of Immature/IMX).

Looking at the bigger picture, it’s nice to see a brother doing his thing, and somewhat admirable that he chose to take the less commercially (and I’m sure financially) sure bet and do it on his own. Hope it pays off in the end.