After five years of conquering the global R&B music scene, South African phenom Lira is poised to make her American debut next January.
The singer—born Lerato Molapo in Johannesburg—brings as unique a heart and soul to her sound as she does personality to her celebrity. Born during the waning years of Apartheid, Lira’s rough Joburg childhood helped her shape her resilient spirit—all the while listening to the music of American soul singers Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin alongside that of her countrywomen Letta Mbulu and Miriam Makeba. Recording her first demo at the age of 18 with studio time exchanged for accounting work, Lira waited until after graduating from university before embarking on a career that would see her, amont other accomplishments winning more South African Music Awards in one year (four) than any other artist, landing Glamour South Africa’s Woman of the Year award in 2008 and a role in director Antonio Falduto’s film The Italian Consulate.
Having wowed audiences on the African continent and Europe, Lira's finally bringing her multilingual (she speaks five languages!) groove to the United States. Equal parts jazz chanteuse, R&B heroine, soul diva and pop sweetheart, The Lira EP appeared this past August as the precursor to the forthcoming Rise Again LP.
The Komplicated crew has eagerly anticipated the arrival of this globally-renowned talent—with vocal talents akin to Sade and early Whitney Houston with hints of Grace Jones’ attitude and an infectious ebullience all her own—and, since we can’t keep anything this radiant to ourselves for very long, we’ll let the lady speak for herself:
Purchase Lira's music on itunes now!
[Source: Helio PR]