Lerato molapo biography template

Lira is a young rising star from South Africa. Afropop’s Banning Eyre caught up with her on the eve of her second New York gig, a show at SOB’s last summer, to support her latest album Rise Again (Shanachie). The show proved two things: First, Lira has a bunch of adoring fans in New York. Second, she’s one of the most dynamic and engaging young performers to emerge from Africa in recent years. She's making another New York appearance at the AfrikCan celebration Sept. 19-20 at La Marina. Here’s her conversation with Afropop. Photos by Banning Eyre.

Banning Eyre: It's really nice to meet you! Why don't you start by introducing yourself?

Lira: Absolutely. My name is Lira [born Lerato Molapo] from South Africa. I'm a singer and songwriter. I've been in the industry for about 10 years, and I've had an amazing run--quite popular in Africa and in Europe.

Nice. Let's go back to the beginning. Talk a little bit about your childhood and how you got into music in the first place.

I grew up in South Africa in the time of apartheid, and music was always played, for as long as I can remember. And interestingly, there was a lot of American soul music being played. So you heard Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin, cranking through the streets. There was a lot of that going around. And growing up in apartheid, there was a lot of strife going around as well, but music seemed to offer people an escape. And, with our family in particular, music had the power to unite people. It's amazing how we would dance with our uncles and aunts, and it just formed such fond memories for me. But from a young age I was aware of the power of music in how it transformed people's emotions and moods. I felt music articulated what people were feeling, but they couldn't express themselves. And I wanted to be able to do that. I wanted to be able to write the kinds of songs that would have that effect on people, and that's alway

Lerato "Lira" Molapo was born in Daveyton, South Africa, on March 14, 1979. After winning a competitions for young singers and songwriters, Lira started performing live at the age of 16, singing both cover versions and self-penned songs. In 2000 she was discovered by musician and producer Arthur Mafokate, who had her sign with his own record label, 999 Music, and helped her release her debut album, All My Love (2003).

Having left 999 Music, Lira teamed up with keyboardist Victor Mngomezulu, bassist Tshepo Sekele, and producer Robin Kohl and in 2006 released Feel Good, a much more accomplished work that revealed her as a talented artist, able to move easily from modern R&B to jazz, from lush pop to bossa. A huge success, it led to five nominations at the South African Grammy Awards (Best New Artist, Best Female Artist, Best R&B Album, Best Single, and Best Video). In July 2007 the album was released in Italy, where its title track gained some massive airplay.

South African singer (born 1979)

This article is about a musician. For other uses, see Lira (disambiguation).

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

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.

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.

She has also participated in numerous activities for The Southern Africa Trust. 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 was a member of the coaching panel of The Voice South Africa from 2016 to 2019.

Life and career

1979–1994: Early childhood

Lerato Moipone Molapo was born on 14 March 1979 in Daveyton, Johannesburg to Buyi Radebe (mother) and Khanyapa Molapo Sr. (father).

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

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 Beyoncé'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 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.

Lira 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.