I’ve added 7 photos of Livvi Franc at one of her first performances in the United States. She performed at Le Poisson Rouge in New York City on May 30, 2009 looking spectacular!

I’ve added 5 promotional photos from Livvi’s upcoming debut album, Underground Sunshine. Livvi is looking absolutetly gorgeous so make sure to check them out.

The 2nd Annual Logo NewNowNext Awards were held at the Hiro Ballroom at The Maritime Hotel in New York City, NY on May 20, 2009. Livvi Franc walked her first award red carpet looking beautiful! This year, the awards will air on Saturday, June 13, 2009 at 9:00 PM ET/PT. The event is hosted by none other than the legendary drag racer RuPaul, and Livvi Franc is a presenter. I’ve added 6 photos from the event!

Check out a behind the scenes look at Livvi’s photo shoot for her debut album and the first single “Now I’m That Bitch” with photographer Ron Cadiz.

Score another point for Barbados. The small Caribbean island that many people never even heard of until recent years is fast becoming the place to find superior female pop talent.

First there was megastar Rihanna, the modelesque beauty with the unmistakable voice and insane sense of style. Then came Shontelle, the versatile chanteuse that had us all dying to get wrapped up in our boyfriends’ T-Shirt last Fall. And soon everyone will know Livvi Franc.

The 21-year-old Bajan-by-way-of-Britain beauty, born Olivia Charlotte Waithe, pretty much grew up preparing for stardom. She performed in school talent shows and pageants, began writing songs at age 11, and started playing guitar at age 15. All of these skills came in handy when Franc started putting together her debut album, Underground Sunshine, set for release this summer on Jive Records.

Learn more about Livvi Franc in this Limelight Spotlight Q&A:

You’re from Barbados, so of course there will be comparisons to other Bajan female artists like Shontelle and Rihanna. How have you prepared yourself for that and what do you think is the biggest difference between you three?

I find it quite a compliment to be compared to both Rihanna and Shontelle! They are talented and beautiful! I think people will see the differences between us once my music is out.

How did you go from island girl to the next big thing on Jive Records?

Next big thing? Wow! I like that title! Hmmm… Lots of hard work, a great team and more hard work! No, seriously, having a unique sound that is still commercially viable is a massive plus.

When you first came to America, what was the biggest difference from Barbados (besides the weather!)?

VARIETY! I was overwhelmed by the wide selection of fruits, veggies, movies, books and music, etc!

Your first single in the US (Now I’m That B.I.T.C.H.) and in the UK (Free) are so different sonically. It’s hard to gage which direction your album will go in. Any insight on what the set will sound like?

That contradiction is the essence of Livvi Franc! I am idealistic and a dreamer one minute and a Bajan in total control of herself the next. But for the record, I am a pop artist. My music will, for the most part, make you wanna move!

Was it important for you to kind of break out of the typical “island” sound and jump right into pop music?

I am proud of my Caribbean heritage and my goal was to fuse it in a fresh way into my pop sound. I think I managed to do that. Listening to my album will take you to the beaches of the Barbados via NYC, LA and London! [laughs]

What did you listen to growing up and how did you form your sound?

Katie Melua, Eva Cassidy, Etta James, Nelly Furtado, Lauryn Hill, The Cranberries. These artists all taught me to embrace my uniqueness.

We are completely in love with your duet with Marié Digby, “Overboard.” How did that collaboration come about?

My publisher-Sony ATV (Rich Christina) set that up. Marié is such a cool person! We had a great time writing and hanging out. Frankie Storm also wrote on that song. I love her!

Songwriter Toby Gad seems certain you will be the next big superstar. What was it like working with a man who’s work with some of the biggest names in the industry on your debut?

Toby Gad is just amazing and super talented! I had the best writing experience with him. He was the first producer in the US I ever worked with! I look forward to working with him again in the near future!

If we stole your iPod and threatened to delete every song except for 5 of them (because we’re incredibly mean that way), which 5 songs would you save?

I’m Like A Bird – Nelly Furtado
Ex-Factor- Lauryn Hill
By Your Side- Sade
No Other Like Jah – Sizzla
Paper Planes – M.I.A

You have some pretty epic labelmates at Jive. Anyone you’d love to sit down with and pick their brain for tips on the music business?

Hmmm. Always been asked about possible collaborations…never this before! Hmmm… Justin Timberlake. Yeah, the same artist I’d love to work with.

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As of late, the isle of Barbados has gained notoriety for being the hometown of pop princess Rihanna. But now she’s got some competition in the form of Bajan British sensation Livvi Franc and her pop gem “Now I’m That Bitch,” an intensely hot single produced by Salaam Remi (Amy Winehouse, Nas).

By way of Harrogate, England, and Barbados, 21-year-old Livvi has traversed from an in-the-shadows student to emerging B.I.T.C.H.—a concept she describes for every young woman as “Being In Total Control of Herself.”

“In high school, I was a wallflower and as I matured, I came into my own,” says Livvi, who cites Lauryn Hill and Alanis Morissette as musical inspirations. “I learned that being defined as a bitch doesn’t have to be negative. The song is about when that crush—in high school or in life—does not notice you, as you come into your own, you will be able to say, ‘Now I’m that bitch.’”

With bold self-assurance and a musical style that is an eclectic mash-up of pop, folk, and Caribbean flavor, it’s no wonder the arrestingly feminine and powerful chant Livvi announces on her single incites confidence in women around the globe.

Though she’s already being compared creatively to Rihanna, Lily Allen, and Lady GaGa, according to Livvi, her casual flair is unique and her sound, distinct. “Being compared to Rihanna is flattering,” Livvi reveals. “She is very talented, but I think my music will speak for itself.”

Livvi Franc’s debut album drops this summer on Jive Records.

Livvi Franc, the 19-year old singer/songwriter who is perhaps best known (in Barbados) as the featured voice on J-Co’s hit track Pon Fire, is now preparing to launch an international singing and songwriting career. The deal, which is the first label direct deal signed by a Barbadian artist in recent times, is the culmination of 3 years of artist development, which all took place in Barbados.

The Livvi/Jive deal was officially inked on October 25, 2007 in New York, after months of negotiations with Jive. The deal effectively makes Livvi labelmates with the likes of Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Pink, Chris Brown and Usher. The deal provides Livvi with access not only to a number of globally recognised artistes for potential collabs, but also further access to a slew of international industry insiders.

Livvi’s ‘worked with’ list is an impressive one, despite her still being in the embryonic stage of development of her career. In an exclusive interview with CiRCUIT magazine, her manager of three years, Kerrie Thomas-Armstrong, revealed that to date, Livvi has worked with Toby Gad who co-wrote Big Girls Don’t Cry for Fergie, and with songwriter Angela Hunte who was one of the songwriters behind Showstoppers, the first Danity Kane single. She has also worked with SRP’s Evan Rogers and Carl Sturken, who are credited with discovering Bajan superstar Rihanna. In a statement released by SRP to CiRCUIT magazine, Rogers stated: “Livvi is a brilliant writer with an amazing voice – totally unique and distinctive. Her appeal will cross many boundaries. She also has all the star quality you could ask for – the whole package, which is rare. We (SRP) are excited to be part of the project!”

Strong Barbadian Links Remain

Armstrong also revealed that access to international industry insiders does not necessarily imply that Livvi’s future project will exclude Barbadian industry professionals. It was, after all, the strength of her local management and local production team which heavily influenced Jive’s interest in the Livvi project. Armstrong will continue to manage Livvi in a co-management deal with Armstrong’s longtime friend, Allison Hunte, who is also Kevin Lyttle’s manager and a Barbadian. The co-management deal allows Livvi to continue her work with Armstrong, who has guided the singer/songwriter’s budding career, while being further supported by a management link already familiar with the complexities of managing a Caribbean artist in a global music environment.

Livvi’s other local ties include songwriting/production collaborations with Tony ‘Rebel’ Bailey, Chris Allman, De Red Boyz and Eyan. She is likely to continue working with other Barbadians within the coming months.

Just who is Livvi Franc?

Livvi’s Jive deal may come as a surprise to the vast majority of Barbadians, as not many Bajans are familiar with the name Livvi Franc. Livvi’s management team seems to have employed a strategy of lying relatively low on public appearances while focussing on songwriting, voice training and studio recording. And so far, the strategy seems to have paid off. Livvi has now managed to add her name to a relatively short list of Barbadians who have secured deals with international record labels. Now that the news that another local artist has broken into the international arena, the obvious question remains: just who is Livvi Franc?

Born Olivia Charlotte Waithe to a Barbadian father and English mother, Livvi Franc’s multicultural, multiethnic background is reflected in her music style. Livvi herself notes that from an early age, her parents exposed her to a wide cross-section of music – ‘everything from Bob Marley to the Beatles.’ She also developed a love for artists such as Etta James, Nelly Furtado, Krosfyah, The Cranberries, Alanis Morrisette and Lauryn Hill. Livvi has spent years crafting her own personal style which has turned out to be an interesting blend of pop, R&B, folk and country.

Livvi’s fans are well aware of her musical stylings via her myspace page www.myspace.com/livvifranc. Free, Bliss, Shiver and Tap Tap, all produced by Barbados-born producers Classic Soul Productions, have struck a chord with Livvi’s growing online fan base and are sure to shine a spotlight on Classic Soul as a production unit.

During the CiRCUIT magazine interview, Armstrong repeatedly stressed the importance which her team placed on holistic artist development, noting that the signing didn’t just come out of the blue. Livvi’s camp had laid out a developmental plan for the artist which involved rigorous physical fitness sessions-compliments of Ray Armstrong (former lead vocalist of Krosfyah and Second Ave) and years of songwriting, studio sessions and vocal training-compliments of local jazz vocalist, Marissa Lindsey.

The Next Step

Livvi’s camp has been relatively tight-lipped on the details of the Jive deal. No info has been released regarding how many albums Livvi’s deal entails or how much money was involved in the deal. According to Armstrong, what is important for their team is continuing the foundation which has been set for an enduring musical career. What is known, however, is that her team is moving forward with plans for Livvi’s international debut, even though no timelines for Livvi’s first album have been released to the public.

According to Armstrong, her team’s first priority is producing and delivering to Jive a “solid album.” Similarly, the former Queen’s College student, Franc states, “getting the deal now appears to be the easiest part of this process. Packaging my sound and brand into a form that will be embraced by my label and my market, is the focus. I work hard and sacrifice with my team to realise this goal. Over the last three years I’ve learned that you’ve got to love what you do and surround yourself with a team of supporters who are equally committed to the journey, because in this business you can spend a considerable amount of time on the journey before you actually reach the destination. Yes I am ELATED to have signed a record deal, but I am well aware that my journey continues. So just as I did before my deal, I continue my songwriting, meeting potential new producers for possible collaborations and recording. And when I have a spare moment, you’ll find me cooking in the kitchen. I love to cook! It de-stresses me and makes me almost as happy as music!”

Born Olivia Charlotte Waithe to a Barbadian father and English mother, Livvi Franc’s music mirrors her ethnic background. “My music is a mixture of music influences- pop, R&B, country, and soca. My parents exposed me to everything from Bob Marley to the Beatles, and on my own, I developed a love for artists such as Etta James, Nelly Furtado, The Cranberries, Alanis Morrisette and UB40.” Her musical influences can be heard in her sound. Her soulful vocals are tinged with traces of R&B smoothness, pop/soca energy and country story-telling and emotion.

Livvi Franc’s interest in the creative arts started from young. An accomplished visual arts student, she began writing songs at age 10. “I did not really know what I was doing; I just had melodies and lyrics in my head, so I began jotting them down. By 14, I began recording myself singing (on my tape recorder) and sharing my songs with my family and friends,” Livvi Franc adds, with a beauty pageant smile. By 15, her journey into the music industry began thanks to her manager, Kerrie Thomas, who began pairing her up with professional musicians. Franc spent her time performing and writing with other local artists. She even co-penned and released a song on radio in Barbados. Eventually, Franc linked up with Classic Soul Productions- up and coming Barbadian music producers, Eliseus Joseph and Julian Griffith, who began working with Franc to create a sound that reflected her true talent and style.