Lira

Lira’s music career officially launched in 2000 after signing with 999 Music, leading to her critically acclaimed debut album, ‘All My Love,’ in 2003. The album quickly garnered significant industry recognition, securing awards at the Metro FM Awards, SAMAs, and Channel O Reel Music Awards, with its title track famously surpassing Beyoncé’s ‘Dangerously in Love’ on charts. Following this breakthrough, Lira signed with Sony Music Africa in 2004. Her 2006 album, ‘Feel Good,’ achieved Triple-Platinum status, and its title track became the most played local song on South African radio, notably becoming the first South African music video featured on VH-1.

Her fourth studio album, ‘Return to Love,’ released in 2011, went double-platinum, with the hit song ‘Phakade’ achieving triple-platinum. Expanding her influence beyond music, Lira made her cinematic debut in ‘The Italian Consul’ in 2011. Her international profile was recognized when Essence magazine named her one of ‘Five Unique Artists to Change Music in 2012,’ and she was featured in L’Uomo Vogue’s ‘Re-Branding Africa’ issue in 2012. In 2014, she released her debut American album, ‘Rise Again,’ through Shanachie Records.

Demonstrating entrepreneurial spirit, Lira launched her own label, Otarel Music, under which she released the ‘Born Free’ album in 2016. ‘Born Free’ quickly achieved gold status, with its lead single ‘Let There Be Light’ reaching platinum certification. From 2016 to 2019, Lira also served as a highly regarded coach on ‘The Voice South Africa,’ further showcasing her expertise and mentorship within the music industry.