With two successful solo albums already under his belt ("O" and "21"), R&B singer/songwriter/actor Omari Grandberry--aka Omarion-- returns to the music scene after a four year absence with his third outing, "Ollusion."

Not only does Omarion have a new look--gone are the braids and baggy jeans that the Grammy nominated singer sported while fronting the chart-topping boy band B2K--but a more mature singing style as well.

N2Entertainment.net recently spoke with Omarion about his new album "Ollusion" which is in stores now. (See "In The Groove" Review). The 25-year-old musician, who recently joined MTV's "America's Best Dance Crew" as a new judge, talked candidly about his maturation process both personally and artistically, how he came up with the "Ollusion" CD title, why it was slapped with a parental advisory warning, those rumors he's dating Rihanna and Jazmine Sullivan and forming his own label StarWorld Entertainment. Omarion also set the record straight about being "dropped" from Lil Wayne's Young Money label and told us why he'll never take part in a B2K reunion tour.

Read what else Omarion shared with us.

Q. You have a new look and style. Is this all part of your personal and musical transformation?

A. Absolutely. I've been in the music game since I was 14-years-old. Now, I'm 25. I've learned a lot about the business over the years--mainly that it is definitely a business. But most importantly I've learned about myself and what I want to accomplish. Things haven't always gone as planned, but I have been able to pick myself up when I was down. Now I'm still standing and back in the game.

Q. Is this maturity reflected in your new release "Ollusion?"

A. Yeah it is. I've definitely grown as a singer and songwriter. I think I've become a better vocalist and I'm still growing as a songwriter. All of these songs on this CD are written from my point of view in terms of relationships and everything else that I've experienced in my life.

Q. What does the album title "Ollusion" mean?

A. It's my take on all the negative press that has been out there about me. Stuff like I got some chick pregnant, or that I'm dating a stripper and things that just aren't true. Unfortunately in this business, everything is based on perception. I'm a reflection of this perception. But I've also been an honest and open person with all my fans. I'm not the arrogant and cocky person that some people portray me to be. People tend to see me as someone that I'm not. So that's why I played off the word illusion and put my spin on it by calling the CD "Ollusion."

Q. How is "Ollusion" different than your previous discs?

A. I felt a lot freer going into the studio to make this CD more than any other one I had done. I also felt less pressure and that had to do with me having more control over my work as an artist.

Q. This is also your first solo album that has a parental advisory warning. Can you talk about that?

A. You know it's strange. I don't think I'm cussing on any of the songs, but it may be because the subject matter is a bit racier than most anything that I've done before.

Q. Do you find it easier and more enjoyable to be a solo artist as opposed to being in a group?

A. I do like the freedom that being a soloist brings, although it still requires a lot of work too. There's really something to be said about making your own decisions and seeing them through and that's what I enjoy most about being on my own.

Q. You've had a few bumps in the road during your career with some record labels like Sony/BMG and Little Wayne's Young Money Entertainment. Were you dropped from those labels and what really went down between you and Lil' Wayne and Timbaland's Mosley Music Group label?

A. I started my career with Sony, but the label was going through a lot of changes in the last few years in terms of staffing. And I just felt my work wasn't getting the type of push and promotion that it deserved. Despite everything that was written about this, Sony didn't drop me. I asked to be released. I had been with Sony for about six years. It was just in my best interest to move on and explore other opportunities. In terms of Lil' Wayne, we just didn't see eye to eye on the partnership we were trying to form. Both of us are headstrong guys. I'm a leader and he's a leader. I had to rethink my position of what I was getting into. The last two solo albums I did were number one albums. Lil Wayne's label hadn't really established itself. When I thought about it, most of the artists that do what I do are never under the umbrella of a crew so I decided against going in that direction. I had hoped to work with Timbaland since he is such a great producer and had done "Ice Box" on my "21" album. That just didn't work out. That's really all there is to say about that. Our collaboration simply fell through.

Q. Did all of this drama prompt you to start your own label StarWorld Entertainment?

A. Most definitely. As I mentioned, I like having the creative control now. Because the industry is such a business, you can't always be the artist you want to be. There's a lot of separation as an artist and a businessman. Having my own label is a lot of work. But I've also worked hard--poured lots of blood, sweat and tears--to get where I am today. I'm real proud that I've made some real smart decisions along the way like owning the masters of my music.
I look at it this way. If any mistakes are going to be made, why not make them myself. That way I have no one to blame about how things turn out but me.

Q. Is there any truth to the rumors that you have a serious crush on Rihanna and Jazmine Sullivan and are dating both of them?

A. I'm a little too old for crushes. If I like a woman I'm going to just approach her and let her know it. I'm single and date around.

Q. So are you or aren't you dating around with Jazmine and Rihanna?

A. We're good friends.

Q. Any chance we'll see you on the big screen again?

A. I definitely hope so. I have so much fun doing movies. I really loved doing "You Got Served." It seems the acting side keeps calling me. I would also like to try and do something other than dance movies though. It would be pretty cool to do an action hero type movie.

Q. Any plans of a B2K reunion?

A. Not with me in it. Ever since we split, the members of the group have continually spread negative and false stuff about me.

Q. Like what?

A. Stuff like who I'm seeing, rumors about my family and friends. Very disrespectful things. These definitely are not the kind of people I want to be around and working with. I'm moving forward with my life and career. I don't have time to waste on people who want to try and drag me down. I'm too mature for that sort of stuff now.

Editor's Note: Be sure to check out Omarion's new CD, "Ollusion" which is in stores now.