Lira

South African vocalist LIRA is already a beloved superstar in her homeland, where her first four albums have all achieved multi-platinum status. Raised in the Daveyton township of Johannesburg's East Rand section, LIRA's early life was shaped by the harsh realities of South Africa's apartheid system. Despite that, her drive to create was strong enough to transcend her social circumstances.

Widely regarded as South Africa's top adult contemporary artist, LIRA has racked up an impressive series of achievements since launching her musical career nearly a decade ago - gracefully following in the footsteps of icons Miriam Makeba and Letta Mbulu. Her flawless dossier boasts numerous fashion & lifestyle magazine covers and a multitude of accolades from the South African Music Awards,, MTV Africa Awards, MOJO Awards, Channel O Awards and Glamour Magazine’s 2008 "Woman of the Year," all of which have left an indelible impression on Africa-at-large.

LIRA has amassed the largest Facebook following of any South African artist in excess of 340,000 fans, was the first local artist to knock Beyonce off the top of South African radio charts and boasts the first music video of her country to be put into rotation on
VH-1. Recently, global media outlets have been taking notice, with a 2012 BET nomination for Best International Act, being named Five Unique Artists Set to Change Music in 2012 by Essence Magazine and featured in the Re-Branding Africa issue of the Italian Men's fashion magazine, L'Uomo Vogue.

As part of a new cadre of African artists making waves stateside such as K’Naan, Nneka and D'Banj, Sony Africa superstar LIRA sees herself as an ambassador of the new Africa: A land where, despite a recent history filled with obstacles, a future brimming with infinite possibilities lies. Now, after a decade of triumphant transcendence, prestigious accolades, and record-breaking milestones in her homeland, LIRA is poised to take the international world by storm.

LIRA recently released her debut American album Rise Again (Sony Africa). She describes her music as Afro-Soul – an urbane, sophisticated genre “a fusion of soul music, elements of jazz, funk, and African languages.”

For more information please check out her Official Website