Lemar

Lemar Obika was born on April 4, 1978, in Tottenham, North London, to Nigerian parents. As a child, he developed a passion for R&B and soul music, drawing inspiration from artists like Michael Jackson and the Jacksons. He performed his first concert at 17, opening for Usher. Pursuing his musical aspirations, he declined an offer to study pharmacy at Cardiff University. Early in his career, Lemar supported artists such as Destiny’s Child and Total on their UK club tours. He secured a recording contract with BMG, releasing his debut single “Got Me Saying Ooh.” However, this deal ended within a year due to restructuring at the record label. He then worked as an accounts manager at NatWest in Enfield, North London, before his career breakthrough.

Lemar gained significant public recognition in 2002 as a contestant on the BBC’s talent show “Fame Academy,” where he notably performed Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” and a duet with Lionel Richie on “Easy.” Although he finished third, his talent led to a five-year, £1 million record deal with Sony Music. His second single, “Dance (with U),” reached number two on the UK Singles Chart in early 2003. His debut album, “Dedicated,” released later that year, achieved double-platinum certification by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) and included top 10 singles like “50/50” and “Another Day.” Following his successful UK tour, Lemar opened for Justin Timberlake’s UK dates. In 2004, his single “If There’s Any Justice” from his second album, “Time to Grow,” became a career highlight, peaking at number three on the UK Singles Chart. “Time to Grow” also achieved double-platinum status. He was also part of Band Aid 20’s charity single “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”

His trajectory continued with the 2006 album “The Truth About Love,” which peaked at number three on the UK Albums Chart and featured collaborations with Styles P, Mica Paris, and Joss Stone. His fourth studio album, “The Reason,” was released in 2008. Lemar released “The Hits” in 2010, a compilation featuring ten hits and four new tracks, including a duet with JLS. Beyond music, Lemar expanded into acting, appearing as a Musical Performer in the 2004 film “De-Lovely.” He portrayed Danny in the 2022 mini-series “Little Darlings” and Lord Smythe-Smith in a 2023 episode of “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.” In 2024, he starred as Curtis Jackson in the West End revival of “Sister Act.” He has won two Brit Awards for Best Urban Act (2004, 2006) and three Mobo Awards (2005, 2006) for Best Album, Best Male, and UK Act Of The Year.