her the nickname "the First Lady of J". Olivia was recorded in various recording studios, including Right Track Studios, in Newport News, West Orange, and Los Angeles. Olivia has co-writing credits on six of the album's twelve songs. She also worked in a suite in New York's Waldorf Astoria Hotel where J was headquartered. In a 2001 Billboard article, she said Davis encouraged her to "explore every part of [herself] on this album". She described it as containing "variety" and having "a whole bunch of elements" that reflects her make up, though she said that she wanted it to be cohesive. She explained: "You won't get lost, though, because each track coincides with the other." In a 2001 Vibe article, Olivia referred to her musical style as "R&B with a strong hip hop flava". Growing up, Olivia had tried rapping under the nickname "O-Lovely" with her brother and friends. J executive Ron Gillyard described her as a singer, songwriter, and a rapper, as well as "the real deal". Olivia said that she had little experience with the album's more explicit content. During a 2011 interview, she said since her time at J, she always wanted to be "a voice for the women" through her music. Composition and lyrics Olivia is a R&B album consisting of twelve tracks. Critics had varying opinions on its influences. According to MTV News' Shaheem Reid, the album features "R&B with elements of jazz and hip-hop". Billboard's Richard B. Henderson referred to the songs as "a mixture of rap, R&B, and pop". The Morning Call's Len Righi wrote the compositions were "sweet instrumental R&B" similar to those for Alicia Keys. Olivia focuses on songs about infidelity and seduction, leading some commentators to notice a split in its tone. Righi characterized the first ten songs as "dreary complaints" with "a mercenary attitude" before transitioning into music that was "girlish and even gooey". Vibe's Dimitri Ehrlich wrote Olivia delivered "an X-rated MC's attitude to the romantic tales of an R&B diva". About these two concepts, Olivia said she had a "sweet side" when singing and a "hard side" while rapping. In the opening track "Bizounce", Olivia encourages women to leave unhealthy relationships with lyrics such as: "I can't take this shit no more / Picture frame broken daddy 'cause I can't trust you / I'm ridin' high now / So nigga fuck you." Throughout the song, Olivia dismisses