Lira (singer)

Lerato Moipone Molapo (born March 14, 1979) is a South African singer. Her name translates to "love" in Setswana and she speaks four languages. She is a multi-platinum selling and an 11-times South African Music Award-winning Afro-Soul vocalist, who refers to her music as "a fusion of soul, funk, elements of jazz and African."[1]

Lira
Background information
Birth nameLerato Moipone Molapo
Born (1979-03-14) 14 March 1979
OriginJohannesburg
Genres
Occupation(s)singer-songwriter
InstrumentsVocals
Years active2003–present
LabelsSony
Associated actsSimphiwe Dana, Miriam Makeba, Letta Mbulu, Hugh Masekela, Arthur Mafokate
WebsiteOfficial website

Life and career

1979-1994:Early childhood

Lerato Moipone Molapo was born on March 14, 1979, Daveyton, Johannesburg. Lira's 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.[2]

1995-2000:Music career beginnings

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 Beyoncé's single "Dangerously in Love" off the charts[3] 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).[4] A huge success, it led to multiple nominations and wins at the South African Music Awards (SAMA).[4] In July 2007 the album was released in Italy, where its title track gained massive airplay.


According to The Star newspaper, Lira is 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 more than 30 magazines worldwide.

In December 2011, she was named one of the "Five Unique Artists to Change Music in 2012" by Essence magazine.[5] In May 2012, she appeared in L'Uomo Vogue's "Re-Branding Africa" issue, featuring General Ban Ki-Moon on the cover, where she said, "We're a young democracy, and we're accustomed to an image of Africa as a place that expects outside help. We must instead take stock of our situation, become autonomous, find our identity and independence."[6]

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 organisations, outreach groups, and advocacy programs such as the Student Sponsorship Programme – which presented her with the Inspiration Award in 2011.[7] She has also participated in numerous activities for The Southern Africa Trust.[8] In 2015, she was listed by Forbes Magazine as one of the richest female singers in Africa with net worth in excess of $35 Million. She is currently a member of the coaching panel of The Voice South Africa.

In early 2016, Lira was hand picked by Bobbi Brown Cosmetics to appear in their South Africa Advertisement campaigns shot in Johannesburg.[9]

2006: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.[2] 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.[10] The album was certified Platinum while the single received the SAMA Award in 2008 for most downloaded song.[11]

2008: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.[11] The album was certified Platinum.[12] Later this year Glamour Magazine South Africa named her "Woman of the Year."

2009:Live in Concert: A Celebration

In 2009, she 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 – and was released the same year. Nine million South Africans tuned into the concert's telecast and subsequently the DVD reached three-times Platinum when it was released in November 2010. In 2011 a Blu-ray version was released making it the first Blu-ray to be released on the continent.[13] 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 No. 1 chart position for Live in Las Vegas; A New Day.[13] The soundtrack to the DVD released in October 2009 was certified Platinum

2010:FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Concert

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 favourite "(Something Inside) So Strong" with the Soweto Spiritual Singers proved to be one of the most prominent performances in her career.[14]

She made her cinematic debut as the support lead in the Antonio Falduto-directed drama The Italian Consul (Il console italiano). In June 2011, the film premiered at the Taormina Film Festival in Italy, where Lira became only the second African vocalist to grace the Teatro Del Greco stage since Miriam Makeba. Lira stars opposite Italian actress Giuliana de Sio – as well as Edwin Angless and Anna Galiena, while the film centres on the trafficking of girls in Europe.[15]

2011:Return 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.[16]

2014:Rise Again

In April 29, 2014, she released her debut American album, Rise Again (Shanachie Records), a 14-track LP featuring songs from her African catalogue, including "Feel Good" "Phakade" and "Rise Again."[17]

2014:Jill Scott Concert, Johannesburg

In December 13, 2014, Lira was the special guest act for American Neo-Soul star Jill Scott, in a one-night-only concert in Johannesburg.[18]

2016:Born Free

In March 25, 2016, she released her sixth studio album, Born Free, featuring songs such as "Rhythm of Your Heart," "Listen," Brave Heart"Let There Be Light" and "Be About It" exclusive for iTunes Africa[19]

Discography

Studio albums
  • All My Love (999 Music,2003)
  • Feel Good (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 (9 August 2011)
  • Rise Again (Shanachie Records, 2014)
  • Born Free (Otarel Music, 2016)

Singles
  • "All My Love" (2003)
  • "Feel Good" (2006)
  • "Ixesha" (2007)
  • "Wa Mpaleha" (2008)
  • "Phakade" (2010)
  • "Rise Again" (2011)
  • "Mali" (2012)

Achievements
YearAwards/Nominations
2004Metro FM Awards Nominations for Best R&B Album, Best Vocalist and Best Newcomer[20]
200410th Annual South African Music Awards Nomination for Best R&B Album (All My Love)[21]
2004Channel O Reel Music Award Winner[21]
200612th Annual South African Music Awards Nominations for Best New Artist, Best Female Artist, Best R&B Album, Best Video and Best Single (Feel Good)[21]
200713th Annual South African Music Awards Win for Best Music Video (Feel Good)[21]
200814th Annual South African Music Awards Win for Best Selling Download (Feel Good), Best Music Video (Ixesha)[21]
200915th 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)[3]
2009MTV Africa Awards Nominations for Best Female Artist and Best Artist of the Year[22]
2009MOBO Awards Nomination for Best African Act[23]
2009Channel O Reel Music Awards Nomination for Best Female Artist[24]
201016th Annual South African Music Awards Win Best Female Artist, Best Global Chart DVD (Live in Concert: A Celebration). Nomination for Best Album Packaging.[25]
2010Feather Awards Winner[26]
2011Channel O Music Video Awards Winner "Most Gifted Female Video" Nomination "Most Gifted Video of Year"[27]
201218th Annual South African Music Awards Nominated "Best Smooth Urban" "Best Producer" "Best Engineer" "Remix of the Year" "Record of the Year"[28]
2012BET Awards Nomination "Best International Artist"[29]
2013South African Music Awards Winner "Best Live DVD"[30]
2014Africa Muzik Magazine Awards for Best Female Southern Africa – (Results Pending)[31]

Personal life

She was born Lerato Molapo to Buyi Radebe and Khanyapa Molapo Sr. on 14 March 1979. On 9 September 2009, she married manager Robin Kohl. In July 2019 after a 9-year marriage, she announced their separation.[32]

References
  1. Joy Keys chats with South African Singer Lira 03/22 by Joy Keys. Blog Talk Radio (22 March 2011). Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  2. Home of the African Music Fan Archived 5 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Museke. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  3. Lira South Africa´s Afro Soul Queen booking at Griot Archived 21 December 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Griot.de. Retrieved on 25 January 2013.
  4. LIRA. ReverbNation (10 June 2010). Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  5. JPG image Archived 26 August 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Essence (December 2011).
  6. Lira Archived 18 February 2013 at Archive.today. Vogue.it. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  7. Celebrating 10 Years of SSP – Print Version Archived 25 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Africa.com. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  8. Regional integration can build a better future for young people. southernafricatrust.org (January 2011)
  9. Danielle James, "Bobbi Brown Sees The Beauty In Africa", Hello Beautiful.
  10. "Feel Good" by Lira | Music Video. VH1.com. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  11. Lira – A biography. paradigmagency.com
  12. "Lira: Soul In Mind". Mio.co.za. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  13. VUZU.tv Website Archived 2 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Vuzu.dstv.com (26 October 2010). Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  14. "Lira and Soweto Spiritual Singers tribute to Mr Nelson Mandela at Sony 3D world". YouTube (4 July 2010). Retrieved on 25 January 2013.
  15. Lira stars in The Italian Consul | South Africa Archived 14 December 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Filmcontact.com (20 May 2010). Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  16. Home of the African Music Fan Archived 26 August 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Museke. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  17. "Rise Again", iTunes Preview.
  18. https://jillscottsa.co.za%5B%5D
  19. "Born Free", iTunes Preview.
  20. city of Johannesburg – Lira, Jozi top awards nominations. Joburg.org.za. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  21. Lira Archived 26 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine. GRIOT GmbH. griot.de
  22. Home of the African Music Fan Archived 24 June 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Museke. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  23. "Mobo Awards 2009 nominations unveiled". Telegraph (26 August 2009). Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  24. Home of the African Music Fan Archived 6 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Museke. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  25. Home of the African Music Fan Archived 25 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Museke. Retrieved on 25 January 2013.
  26. JUST IN: 2010 FEATHER AWARDS!!!. Farai Today (16 November 2010). Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  27. Channel O. Channelo.dstv.com. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  28. The 18th Annual MTN South African Music Awards Nominees | MK. Mk.dstv.com (12 March 2012). Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  29. Best International Act: Africa | BET Awards | Shows. BET. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  30. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  31. "AFRIMMA Nominees". African Muzik Magazine. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  32. "Lira and husband Robin Kohl announce separation". citizen. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
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