Lira (singer)
Encyclopedia
Lira was born Lerato Molapo in the Daveyton township in Johannesburg’s East Rand. Her name translates to “love” in Sesotho and she speaks five languages. She is a multi-platinum selling and award winning Afro-Soul vocalist who refers to her music as “a fusion of soul, funk, elements of jazz and African.”
As an undergraduate student, Lira studied accounting and used her skills to exchange for recording time at a local studio, resulting in her first demo at the age of 18. Upon graduation, Lira continued in accounting for two years. With ambitions to be a singer she turned in her letter of resignation and created a five-year plan for her music career.
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In summer 2010, she joined a line up of artists that included Alicia Keys, Shakira, K’Naan and John Legend, at the FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Concert performing a rendition of “Pata Pata,” a hit song originally recorded by the late Miriam Makeba. Later that summer, she was selected to take part in the 92nd birthday celebration of former South African president Nelson Mandela. Telecast live in 3D directly to Mandela, her performance of the popular Labi Siffre anti-apartheid tune and Mandela favorite “(Something Inside) So Strong” with the Soweto Spiritual Singers proved to be one of the most prominent performances in her career.
According to The Star Newspaper, she’s currently considered the foremost adult contemporary female solo artist in South Africa. She has appeared in major ad campaigns and been an Ambassador for Audi, Shield, Samsung, MTN and Blackberry. She has appeared on the covers of magazines Jo’Burg Style, Fair Lady, True Love, Sophisticate’s Black Hair, Winkler, Finite, Sunday Times, Cape Times, City Pulse, Jet Club and South Africa Express. She currently has the largest Facebook following for any African born musician with over 322,000 fans.
She lends her time and resources to causes that matter to her the most. She remains active with and has received awards from various grassroots organizations, outreach groups, and advocacy programs such as the Student Sponsorship Programme – which presented her with the Inspiration Award in 2011.
She has also participated in numerous activities for The Southern Africa Trust.
The EP will set the precedent for her debut American studio album Rise Again, a 14-track LP to be released January 31, 2012.
Early life
Her world was shaped by the harsh realities of South Africa’s formerly racial and socioeconomic apartheid. She grew up listening to Miriam Makeba, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and Nina Simone who would eventually inspire her own songwriting. She began performing live at the age of 16, singing both cover versions and self-penned songs.As an undergraduate student, Lira studied accounting and used her skills to exchange for recording time at a local studio, resulting in her first demo at the age of 18. Upon graduation, Lira continued in accounting for two years. With ambitions to be a singer she turned in her letter of resignation and created a five-year plan for her music career.
Career
In 2000 she was discovered by musician/producer Arthur Mafokate, who signed her to his record label, 999 Music, and helped with the release of her debut album, All My Love (2003). The album earned her accolades at the Metro FM Awards, South African Music Awards and Channel O Reel Music Awards. The title track even knocked Beyonce’s single “Dangerously in Love” off the charts The following year, she left 999 Music and teamed up with keyboardist Victor Mngomezulu, bassist Tshepo Sekele, and producer Robin Kohl, subsequently she was signed to Sony Music Africa and released her first major label album Feel Good (2006). A huge success, it led to multiple nominations and wins at the South African Music Awards (SAMA). In July 2007 the album was released in Italy, where its title track gained massive airplay. In 2010 she made her cinematic debut as the support lead in the Antonio Falduto directed drama, The Italian Consulate, which premiered In June 2011 at the Taormina Film Festival in Italy where she was only the second female of African descent to grace the festival's performance stage since Miriam MakebaMiriam Makeba
Miriam Makeba , nicknamed Mama Africa, was a Grammy Award winning South African singer and civil rights activist....
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In summer 2010, she joined a line up of artists that included Alicia Keys, Shakira, K’Naan and John Legend, at the FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Concert performing a rendition of “Pata Pata,” a hit song originally recorded by the late Miriam Makeba. Later that summer, she was selected to take part in the 92nd birthday celebration of former South African president Nelson Mandela. Telecast live in 3D directly to Mandela, her performance of the popular Labi Siffre anti-apartheid tune and Mandela favorite “(Something Inside) So Strong” with the Soweto Spiritual Singers proved to be one of the most prominent performances in her career.
According to The Star Newspaper, she’s currently considered the foremost adult contemporary female solo artist in South Africa. She has appeared in major ad campaigns and been an Ambassador for Audi, Shield, Samsung, MTN and Blackberry. She has appeared on the covers of magazines Jo’Burg Style, Fair Lady, True Love, Sophisticate’s Black Hair, Winkler, Finite, Sunday Times, Cape Times, City Pulse, Jet Club and South Africa Express. She currently has the largest Facebook following for any African born musician with over 322,000 fans.
She lends her time and resources to causes that matter to her the most. She remains active with and has received awards from various grassroots organizations, outreach groups, and advocacy programs such as the Student Sponsorship Programme – which presented her with the Inspiration Award in 2011.
She has also participated in numerous activities for The Southern Africa Trust.
Feel Good
In 2006 she released her first major label album on Sony Music Africa. Feel Good began making waves on the South African music scene. The title track quickly became the most played local song at radio. The album earned her nominations at the South African Music Awards (SAMA) and became the first music video from a South African artist to be featured on VH-1. The album was certified Platinum while the single received the SAMA Award in 2008 for most downloaded song with over 150,000 downloads.Soul in Mind
In 2008 she released the 13-track LP Soul in Mind. It went on to set a SAMA record the following Summer for most Awards won in a single year (4) by a single artist. The album was certified Platinum. Later this year Glamour Magazine South Africa named her "Woman of the Year."Live in Concert: A Celebration
In 2009, Lira began assembling the makings of her live concert DVD. Filmed before a live audience at the Carnival City Casino, the production employed 10 RED digital video cameras - a first globally. Released the same year, nine million South Africans tuned into the concert’s telecast and subsequently the DVD reached 3x Platinum when it was released November 2010. In 2011 a Blu-ray version was released making it the first Blu-ray to be released on the continent. The DVD won the Award for “Best Global Chart DVD” at the 2010 SAMA’s. It soon became the country’s fastest and highest selling music videodisc in the Sony Music catalogue, replacing Celine Dion’s #1 chart position for Live in Las Vegas; A New Day. The soundtrack to the DVD released in October 2009 was certified PlatinumReturn to Love
In January 2011 she unveiled her fourth studio album Return to Love. The 11-track set contained songs about hope, love and interconnectedness. Songs included “Call Me,” “Abba,” “Get into Action,” “Mali” (a mixture of Bossa and Mbaqanga), “Phakade,” and “Be My Friend” while incorporating sounds of funk, ragga, urban, soul and traditional African.The LIRA EP
On August 9, 2011 she released her 5-track EP in the United States. It serves as her introduction to American audiences. THE LIRA EP features live versions of “Feel Good” and “Rise Again” from her 2009 live album and three tracks from the 2006 album Feel Good: “Dance Of Life,” “Crush,” and “Ngiyabonga.” She gives thanks and praise on the gratitude-filled “Ngiyabonga” (which means thank you in Zulu) sung completely in her native tongues. The Spanish guitar driven “Rise Again” discusses the resilience of the human spirit in the face of obstacles.The EP will set the precedent for her debut American studio album Rise Again, a 14-track LP to be released January 31, 2012.
Albums
- Feel GoodFeel Good"Feel Good" was announced as the second promo single from G-Unit's second studio album, Terminate on Sight which was produced by Teddy Becks.-Background:The track premiered on November 1, 2007 and will be included on an upcoming G-Unit album...
(Sony/BMG Africa, 2006) - Soul in Mind (Sony/BMG Africa, 2008)
- Lira Live in Concert: A Celebration (Sony/BMG Africa, 2009)
- Return to Love (Sony/BMG Africa, 2011)
- The LIRA EP (August 9, 2011)
- Rise Again - U.S (January 31, 2012)
Singles
- "Feel Good" (2006)
- "Ixesha" (2007)
- "Wa Mpaleha" (2008)
- "Phakade" (2010)
- "Rise Again" (2011)
Awards
| Year | Awards/Nominations |
|---|---|
| 2004 | Metro FM Awards Nominations for Best R&B Album, Best Vocalist and Best Newcomer |
| 2004 | 10th Annual South African Music Awards Nomination for Best R&B Album (All My Love) |
| 2004 | Channel O Reel Music Award Winner |
| 2006 | 12th Annual South African Music Awards Nominations for Best New Artist, Best Female Artist, Best R&B Album, Best Video and Best Single (Feel Good) |
| 2007 | 13th Annual South African Music Awards Win for Best Music Video (Feel Good) |
| 2008 | 14th Annual South African Music Awards Win for Best Selling Download (Feel Good), Best Music Video (Ixesha) |
| 2009 | 15th Annual South African Music Awards Win for Best Female Artist, Best Adult Contemporary Album, Best Album of the Year (Soul in Mind), Best Remix of the Year (Feel Good) |
| 2009 | MTV Africa Awards Nominations for Best Female Artist and Best Artist of the Year |
| 2009 | MOBO Awards MOBO Awards The Music of Black Origin Awards, established in 1995 by Kanya King MBE and Andy Ruffell, are held annually in the United Kingdom to recognise artists of any ethnicity or nationality performing black music.... Nomination for Best African Act |
| 2009 | Channel O Reel Music Awards Nomination for Best Female Artist |
| 2010 | 16th Annual South African Music Awards Win Best Female Artist, Best Global Chart DVD (Live in Concert: A Celebration). Nomination for Best Album Packaging. |
| Feather Awards Winner | |
| 2011 | Channel O Music Video Awards Channel O Music Video Awards Channel O Music Video Awards, also known as Spirit of Africa Music Video Awards are Pan-African music awards organised by South Africa -based Channel O television channel. The awards were first held in 2003 under the name Reel Music Video Awards. Since 2005 the awards have been held annually... Winner “Most Gifted Female Video” Nomination “Most Gifted Video of Year” |