Singer, songwriter and entertainer LIRA, whose music career spans 18 years and includes 6 studio albums, 4 live DVD’s, an autobiography and a feature movie; has established herself as the foremost female artist in South Africa and a formidable presence on the global music scene.
She released her debut album All My Love in 2003. The title track off the album would go on to surpass Beyonce’s “Dangerously in Love” on its run to the top of the SA Charts, marking the beginning of her meteoric rise. LIRA then signed to Sony Music in 2006 and released three albums, all 3 of which certified platinum and subsequently won her numerous accolades and multiple South African Music Awards (SAMAs) – 11 to date.
In further pursuit of growing her international brand, LIRA released Rise Again in 2014 through the independent USA record label – Shanachie. This was the perfect introduction to the full spectrum of LIRA’s artistry for American audiences.
She took her band on tour in the US over several years and shot the entire experience thus creating four seasons of her documentary series called ‘LIRA – Dream Chaser’ which was aired to 50 countries on FOX. The SABC subsequently bought the series and aired it in December 2021.
In 2010 she had her first acting role in the feature film called THE ITALIAN Consul which was a collaboration between SA and Italy, she had a supporting lead role. She spent a month touring Italy promoting the film at all the Italian film festivals including the Taormina Film Festival where the film was launched.
Lira also made a cameo appearance on the South African romantic comedy Happiness is a Four Letter Word on which she is credited as executive producer.
In 2016 she released her first global album Born Free under her own label OTAREL MUSIC. 2016 became a busy year for LIRA as she became a coach and mentor on South Africa’s version of the international hit music reality TV show, The Voice. She was a coach for all three seasons of the show.
Bobbi Brown cosmetics announced LIRA as their first South African influencer, making her the first African to formally collaborate with the cosmetic house in a campaign titled “Bobbi x LIRA”.
In August 2019, international doll company Martell launched Africa’s first Barbie doll made in the likeness of LIRA to commemorate Barbie brand’s 60th anniversary. This made LIRA the 50th global icon to be given this honour.
She also attended the 62nd Grammy Awards in February 2020 and was invited to perform in front of the Grammy committee.
