Afro-Soul vocalist Lira is currently one the highest selling musical artists in South Africa who just debuts her American album Rise Again. Lira has a very afrocentric savvy flair and wears ensembles from all the top South African fashion designers like Stone Cherrie, Sylvester Falata, Gert Johan Coetzee, David Tlale, and Bongiwe Walaza). She previously graced the pages of Oprah South Africa, Arise, Pride, New African Woman, etc. and also appeared in Dutch Vogue and the second African edition of L'Uomo Vogue. Lira is known for not only her beautiful voice but also her flawless skin. I have been seeing lira's beautiful face all over the net and wanted to ask her a few questions about her style , hair and her beauty regimen..jpg "continue reading ciaafrique's interview South African Singer Lira")
How did you start in the Music industry ?
Growing up I saw the power of music at work among my family members and within my South African community. The elders would play music night and day and I observed what it could do to a people, but did not understand how. There were songs of struggle that seemed to give words to what people were feeling but could not articulate. It seemed to comfort those who could not express their pain. It seemed to give people an escape from their undesired reality. I was intrigued by this and wanted to be able to do the same - - make people feel that they could express their emotions when my music played. By the age of 18 I had my first demo.
Starting off I was signed to be the new face of R&B and Soul in a Kwaito label. I put out my first album All My Love in 2003. In 2006, I signed with Sony Africa to re-launch myself and further grow into the industry - I went on to release albums like Soul in Mind, Feel Good, Return to Love and Rise Again.
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Photo by Steve Tanchel/Styling by Sharon Becker & Marie Claire Team
It was an amazing experience. I got to rub shoulders with so many stars - the media was very accepting of me and BET production crew were so pleasant. I've climbed a mountain in South Africa but I'm very new to the States so it's almost like starting all over, it humbled me.
