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Olamide Faison

Olamide Faison (born July 21, 1983) is an and R&B musician best known for portraying Miles Robinson on the Sesame Street from 2003 to 2008 and serving as the lead singer and guitarist for the late-1990s R&B group . Born in to talent agent Shirley Faison and Donald Faison Sr., both active in the National Black Theatre, Faison grew up in alongside his older brother, actor , and another brother, Dade Faison, who also pursues acting. His full name, Olamide Aladejobi Patrick Alexander Faison, reflects Yoruba heritage, with "Olamide," meaning "my wealth has come," pronounced "Oh-lah-me-deh." Faison's acting career began in the early 1990s with the role of young in the musical film Seven Songs for Malcolm X (1993), followed by commercials for brands including and Chevrolet. His most prominent television role came on , where he took over as Miles, contributing to educational segments on topics like letters, numbers, and social skills until leaving the cast in 2008. He later appeared in films such as and Ely's No Kiss List (2015) as Otis the Singer and has continued sporadic acting work. In music, Faison rose to prominence as part of , a Harlem-based R&B that played their own instruments and achieved chart success with singles like "Shorty (You Get the Best from Me)" from their 1998 debut album Imajin That on Records. After the group's disbandment, he pursued a solo career, releasing independent R&B tracks including singles like Hey There Love (2020), "Friend" (2020), and "Other Side" (2025). Faison remains active as a , performing live and sharing covers on platforms like and .

Early life

Family background

Olamide Aladejobi Patrick Alexander was born on July 21, 1983, in , New York, USA. His first name, , is of Yoruba origin and means "my wealth has come," reflecting the Nigerian heritage of his paternal lineage. Faison's father, Sr., worked as a building manager and maintained strong ties to Nigerian , while his mother, Shirley Faison, was a deeply involved in the arts community. Both parents were active members of the National Black Theatre in , fostering an environment rich in performance and cultural expression from an early age. This household immersion in theater and activism shaped a creative atmosphere, though the family faced challenges, including their parents' divorce in 1992. Faison grew up alongside his older brother, Donald Adeosun Faison, an actor best known for his role as Dr. Christopher Turk on the television series Scrubs from 2001 to 2010, and brother Dade Faison, an actor. The siblings shared a middle-class upbringing in , influenced by their parents' professional pursuits in the and community arts sectors, which provided early exposure to the performing world despite the familial transitions.

Childhood and education

Olamide Faison was born on July 21, 1983, in , where he grew up in the neighborhood amid the vibrant cultural landscape of the and . His family's deep ties to the entertainment industry, including his mother Shirley Faison's career as a and his older brother Donald Faison's acting pursuits, offered early exposure to through family discussions and industry events. Faison's initial foray into acting occurred during his childhood, with his debut role portraying the young Malcolm X in the 1993 short film Seven Songs for Malcolm X, directed by John Akomfrah, which provided his first on-camera experience at age 10. This early involvement built on informal influences from New York's theater and film scenes, fostering skills in drama and performance before formal professional commitments. He followed this with supporting roles, such as in the 1996 HBO film Rebound: The Legend of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault, further honing his abilities in front of the camera during his pre-teen years. As a teenager, Faison cultivated interests in R&B and , genres prominent in New York's music ecosystem, leading him to experiment with and guitar playing. By age 13, these pursuits transitioned toward professionalism when he joined the R&B group around 1996, serving as lead singer and guitarist. To balance his rising career with education, Faison relied on tutors who traveled with him during tours, allowing flexibility amid group promotions and recordings. This arrangement marked his shift from exploratory interests to structured entry into the music industry around the late , leveraging family connections for auditions and opportunities.

Music career

Time with Imajin

Olamide Faison entered the music industry as the lead vocalist and guitarist for the R&B group , which was formed in 1996 by producer Bert Price in . The quartet, consisting of Faison, Jamal Hampton, Talib Kareem, and John Fitch, drew inspiration from classic boy bands like and while incorporating live instrumentation. Signed to , the group blended smooth R&B harmonies with influences, setting them apart in the late-1990s urban music scene. Imajin's debut self-titled album was released on October 26, 1999, featuring production from Ron "Amen-Ra" Lawrence and Deric "D-Dot" Angelettie. The lead single, "Shorty (You Keep Playin' with My Mind)" featuring , became their biggest hit, peaking at No. 25 on the and No. 20 on the chart in 1998. The album itself reached No. 44 on the Top Heatseekers chart, showcasing the group's self-written and arranged tracks that highlighted their vocal chemistry and Faison's guitar work on several cuts. Following the debut, toured extensively, opening for major acts and performing worldwide to build their fanbase. Their style continued to evolve with hip-hop-infused R&B, as seen in follow-up singles like "." However, internal challenges, including difficulties securing a second record deal, led to the group's effective disbandment around 2001, though members attempted a comeback through 2007. Following their release, the group released an independent album before disbanding. Faison contributed significantly as a co-writer on key tracks and provided guitar arrangements that added a distinctive edge to their sound.

Solo work and songwriting

Following the disbandment of in the early 2000s, Olamide Faison transitioned to a solo career, focusing on independent releases after the group's release on in the late 1990s. His early solo efforts emphasized R&B and influences drawn from his group experiences, marking a shift toward more personal, introspective songwriting. Faison's songwriting has centered on his own material and select features for other artists, often blending heartfelt lyrics with genre-defying elements. In 2013–2014, he gained visibility through BET's Music Matters program, which highlighted emerging independent talents and boosted his profile as a multifaceted creator. Notable collaborations include his vocal contributions to "Jaded" on Locksmith's 2014 album A Thousand Cuts, "Helpless" on Brady Watt's 2015 album Lifetronics, and "The One" on Locksmith's 2017 album Olive Branch, showcasing his versatility in indie R&B and alternative soul settings. His solo discography reflects an evolution toward indie soul, with key releases including the single "Hey There Love" in 2020, which captured themes of romance and vulnerability. Faison continued this trajectory with "Between Me & You," a 2024 single featuring Isaiah Poet, released on October 31, emphasizing emotional introspection. In 2025, he issued "Other Side" as a single, further solidifying his output amid a style that prioritizes raw, narrative-driven R&B. Faison's career path involved time in during the to hone his songwriting amid the city's music scene, before returning to his roots for a more focused approach. These moves, coupled with his 2024–2025 releases, underscore his ongoing commitment to authentic artistry outside major label constraints.

Acting career

Early roles

Olamide Faison's earliest exposure to acting came through small roles on the children's television program during its 21st season in 1989–1990, where he appeared as one of the background kids in various episodes. He also featured in Episode 2608 from 1989 as the imaginary son of characters and , providing him with initial on-screen experience at age six. His first major film credit arrived at age nine with the role of young Malcolm X in the 1993 documentary-drama Seven Songs for Malcolm X, directed by , which explored the life and legacy of the civil rights leader through interviews, archival footage, and reenactments. This performance marked a breakthrough for Faison as a , showcasing his ability in a historically significant narrative produced by the Black Audio Film Collective. Throughout the early 1990s, Faison supplemented these appearances with work in commercials and educational media, including spots for brands such as , Chevrolet, and , which highlighted his versatility in family-oriented advertising. These roles were facilitated by his family's deep ties to the entertainment industry; his mother, Shirley Faison, worked as a , and both parents were actively involved with the National Black Theatre in , immersing him in New York's vibrant theater scene from a young age. By 1996, at age 13, Faison took on the supporting role of a young enthusiast in the TV movie Rebound: The Legend of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault, portraying aspects of street basketball culture in . This period coincided with the formation of the R&B group , where Faison served as lead singer and guitarist, creating challenges in balancing his burgeoning interests with acting commitments. Despite these early successes, which helped build a foundational resume, Faison increasingly prioritized , positioning acting as a secondary pursuit in his career trajectory.

Film and television appearances

Olamide Faison's acting career as an adult has been characterized by selective engagements, primarily in television and occasional film roles that occasionally intersected with his musical talents. From the early 2000s, he took on the recurring role of Miles Robinson, the adopted son of and , on the long-running children's series , portraying the character from season 34 in 2003 through season 39 in 2008. This role marked a significant television presence during his transition to adulthood, building on his earlier childhood appearances on the show. In addition to scripted television, Faison appeared in various television commercials throughout the 2000s and 2010s, including spots for , Chevy trucks, and Toys, often leveraging his on-screen charisma and vocal abilities. These advertisements provided steady work alongside his burgeoning music career, though specific details on voiceover contributions remain limited to incidental uses in promotional content. He reprised his role as Miles for a guest appearance in the Sesame Street 50th Anniversary Celebration special, which aired in 2019, reuniting him with legacy cast members for nostalgic segments. Faison's most notable film credit came in 2015 with a supporting role as Otis the Singer in the Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List, an adaptation of the novel by and , where he performed in key musical sequences. Following this, his on-screen output has been sparse, with no major film or television roles recorded in the , reflecting a shift in focus toward music production and songwriting. This intermittent acting schedule underscores his pursuit of performance as a complementary endeavor to his primary artistic pursuits.

Discography

Studio albums

Olamide Faison contributed vocals and guitar to the debut studio album of the R&B group , of which he was a founding member. The self-titled , released on October 26, 1999, by , consists of 11 tracks blending and elements with live instrumentation from the group members. Key tracks include the lead single "Shorty (You Keep Playin' With My Mind)" featuring , which achieved commercial success by peaking at number 25 on the and number 20 on the chart, contributing to the album's moderate reception in urban markets. The album's production emphasized the group's youthful energy and instrumental talents, though it did not sustain long-term chart momentum amid internal . Imajin did not release any further studio albums before disbanding in 2000. As a solo artist, Olamide Faison has focused on independent releases, but has not issued a full-length studio album as of November 2025. His solo discography includes singles such as Hey There Love (2020) and Other Side (2025), which explore introspective R&B and soul themes through shorter formats.

Singles and collaborations

Olamide Faison's contributions to singles and collaborations span his time with the R&B group and his subsequent solo endeavors, as well as featured appearances on other artists' tracks. During his tenure with , the group released several notable singles from their 1999 self-titled debut album. The lead single, "Shorty (You Keep Playin' With My Mind)" featuring , peaked at number 25 on the and number 20 on the chart in 1998.) Follow-up single "" reached number 72 on the chart and number 42 on the in 1999.) Another track, "Flava," also received airplay and contributed to the album's promotion. As a solo , Faison has issued independent R&B in the . His 2020 release "Hey There Love" marked an early effort in this phase, showcasing his style. That same year, he dropped "Friend," a reflective available on streaming platforms. In 2024, "Between Me & You" was released as an R&B track on October 31. Most recently, "Other Side" appeared as a in 2025. Faison's collaborations include featured vocals on tracks by other artists. He provided background vocals for "Skybourne" on Currensy's 2010 album . In 2014, he was featured on "Jaded" from Locksmith's album A Thousand Cuts. By 2017, Faison appeared on two songs from Olive Branch's releases: "The One" and "Helpless."

Personal life

Relationships

Olamide Faison was in a long-term romantic relationship with star , spanning from 2003 to 2009. The couple's partnership drew media attention during the late 2000s, particularly as Nunn rose to prominence on , with public sightings and discussions highlighting their connection around that period. Details surrounding their breakup remain private, with no public statements from either party on the reasons for the split. Since then, Faison has kept his out of the spotlight, emphasizing privacy in romantic matters. As of 2025, there are no confirmed reports of subsequent marriages or children.

Current activities

Since returning to in the mid-2010s after a period in , Olamide Faison has resided there, immersing himself in the local music community. As of 2025, Faison maintains an active presence in the R&B scene through digital platforms, including the release of singles such as "Between Me & You" in 2024 and "Other Side" in 2025, available on streaming services like and . He shares updates via , notably under the handle @yoolamide, which has over 8,700 followers. Faison keeps a relatively low public profile post-mainstream exposure, focusing on endeavors without noted major or community workshops, though his work ties into New York's vibrant underground arts ecosystem.

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