South African Singer Lira to Release New Album, “Rise Again” on April 29th | WATCH NEW VIDEO!

Platinum-selling South African singer/model/actress Lira has already conquered South Africa and much of Europe with her irresistible blend of R & B, Jazz and African styles. Like Sade before her, she is now set to conquer America with the release of her debut U.S. single “Feel Good” and her debut U.S. album release Rise Again, due out in April 29, 2014 on Shanachie Entertainment.

“Feel Good” is a slinky, jazzy re-mix of one of her major South African hits, a perfect showcase for Lira’s soulful, melodious singing style. That unique style led Essence  Magazine to name her as one of “Five Unique Artists To Change Music in 2012.”  With her debut U.S. tour slated to begin in May 2014, Lira is clearly poised for a major Stateside breakthrough.
 
“Lira has all the ingredients to be a star in the U.S.,” says Shanachie General Manager Randall Grass. “She has a unique sound, a wonderful voice, model-quality looks and is already a popular artist not only in Africa but in much of Europe as well with a wide-ranging appeal to Jazz, R & B, World music and Pop audiences.”
 
Lira was born in the East Rand near Johannesburg, South Africa. Having grown up listening to Stevie Wonder, Miriam Makeba, Aretha Franklin and Nina Simone , she began writing songs and performing at age 16. In 2000, she was discovered by the musician producer Arthur Mafokate, who signed her to his label, releasing her debut album All My Love in 2003. The title track surpassed Beyonce’s “Dangerously In Love” on a chart-topping run. She was then signed to Sony Music in South Africa and saw her debut Sony album win awards at the South African Music Awards (SAMA), the South African equivalent of the Grammy awards. In summer of 2010 she joined such artists as Alicia Keys, Shakira, K’Naan and John Legend as featured performer in the FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Concert. That year she also made her cinematic debut as the support lead in the Italian feature film Consul. The Star newspaper in South Africa declared her the foremost Adult Contemporary solo artist in South Africa. The release of her high-end concert DVD, Live In Concert: A Celebration, was certified Triple-Platinum and  knocked Celine Dion’s Live In Las Vegas out of the #1 spot on the video sales chart. Her first two Sony albums were likewise certified Platinum. Lira has appeared on the cover of more than twenty magazines around the world and has the largest Facebook following of any South African musician with over 400,000 fans. She also received a BET Awards nomination as “Best International Artist” in 2012. With the release of Rise Again, American  audiences will at last experience the magic Lira has brought to audiences in Europe and Africa.