Omarion Grandberry

Musician-cum-film actor Omari Grandberry (sometimes billed by his stage name, Omarion) launched his career as a member of the hip hop boy band B2K in the early 2000s, before he branched out into film roles and pursed a solo musical career. Grandberry debuted as an actor in 2004, concurrent with the disbandment of B2K. Per his recording experience, he gravitated to urbanized, musically oriented dramatic parts, such as David in the urban dance picture You Got Served (2004) and an appearance as himself, teaching viewers slick dance moves alongside his co-stars, in the feature's instructional video companion piece, You Got Served: Take It to the Streets (2004). Grandberry played Reggie in the family-friendly outing Fat Albert (2004), based on the famous Bill Cosby cartoon, then took a three-year departure from the screen to focus on recording as a solo artist. As such, Grandberry specialized in unabashedly raunchy lyrics detailing the ups and downs of romance, dating, and sex -- qualities showcased on his debut album, O (2005). Its better-received follow-up, 21 (2006), revealed a lyrical maturation and a smooth segue into more R&B-flavored material. Not long after, Grandberry returned to cinemas with his first lead. In Feel the Noise (2007), he played a hip-hop star who must seek protection with his father in Puerto Rico when a nasty band of thugs threatens his life. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide