Livvi Franc
She’s a babe in total control
Hailing from Barbados, RnB singer Livvi Franc spent
the first few years of her life in Harrogate, North
Yorkshire. However at the age of five, she and the
family moved to her father’s homeland of Barbados
where she grew up. ‘Barbados is very different from
England. It’s slower paced, but I used to travel back to
England every summer, so I didn’t miss it too much.’
Born Olivia Charlotte Waithe, Livvi Franc is the
newest singer-songwriting sensation to come from the
islands, and she isn’t surprised to be compared to the
world’s most famous Bajan, Rihanna. ‘In this industry
you will always be compared to someone – I’m glad it’s
someone so gorgeous and successful,’ she laughs.

What’s in a name?
‘The stage name Livvi Franc was inspired by my
granddad,’ Livvi explains. ‘His name was Frank Wilson,
and when I was about two, he noticed me playing the
piano and predicted I was going to be a musician.
Sadly he’s no longer here. So, in honour of him, I called
myself Livvi Franc; Livvi because it’s my nickname, and
Franc because it’s a funkier version of Frank.’
After considering a number of careers from interior
design to acting, Livvi went on to impress Jive Records
in 2007 with her rendition of an Etta James classic, and
soon signed with the label. ‘I hadn’t really found what I
wanted to be or what I wanted to do. I was always
changing my mind. One week I wanted to do this, the
next week it was something else.’
Livvi counts Nelly Furtado, Alicia Keys, Alanis
Morissette as her biggest influences and System of a
Down as one of her most favourite bands… ever! ‘I listen
to everything. On my iPod I have Santigold, La Roux,
Nelly Furtado, some soca, and some reggae and some
country music.’ Her love for such broad and diverse
music is said to be reflected in her debut self-titled
album. ‘It’s all the different sides of me come together…
There are a couple of tracks with a little reggae vibe,
some with more of a UK or retro vibe. It’s different and it
all falls into place.’
Livvi co-wrote most of the tracks on her debut album,
collaborating with a host of very successful producers
and writers such as Salaam Remi (Nas, Amy
Winehouse), RedOne (Lady Gaga), and J.R. Rotem
(Natasha Bedingfield, Rick Ross). She claims she
wasn’t intimidated working with industry greats. ‘As a
writer I count myself lucky. It was good to learn from
them, and learn about myself and my own abilities.’
Being a B.I.TC.H
Livvi also wrote Walking on Snow for American Idol
winner, Jordin Sparks. However, her greatest
achievement to date is penning a track that was picked
up by the late Michael Jackson. ‘Michael picked it up
because he liked it, and actually recorded half of the
track for what would have been his forthcoming album.
I think he must have been travelling, so didn’t finish it
and now he is unfortunately no longer with us.’
Livvi laughs exuberantly at the title of her playfully
assertive debut single, Now I’m That Bitch, ‘I know, it’s
like a smack across the face. But I interpret the word as
“babe in total control of herself”. She explains how the
song ‘comes from personal experiences… I can now say
I know what I want. It’s like a female empowerment
song.’

Now I’m That Bitch (featuring Pitbull) is out now.
www.flavourmag.co.uk 035
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