Lira to stun Lowvelders

A celebratory mood with love all around is all that is promised during Lira’s visit to Emnotweni on February 14.

Mpumalanga News spoke to this BET Nominee and love songbird about her shows planned for the province, and we can reassure you that they are not to be missed for anything.

1. How has being in the music scene for over a decade shaped your view of the music industry?

The evolution of music in the past decade has been enormous, the prevalence and empowerment of female artists has spearheaded that growth. The digital era has taken over, thus record stores don’t stock up more music like they did before, but the overall quality is exciting.

2. You have been called the Beyoncé of South Africa, how does that make you feel?

Although my fans get a little bit angry whenever some people say that, because they celebrate my uniqueness, I think that’s vast complement and I’m grateful.

I would like to think that the comparison comes from the hard work put towards the art, and the compassion that comes with it. As exciting as it is though, I should reassure my fans that I am still Lira, stirring in my own right.

3. Being nominated for Best International Artist at the BET Awards must’ve been awesome, tell us more about it.

It is one of the highlights of my career. Walking down the red carpet with celebrities I grew up admiring was just amazing.

I mean, I remember walking next to Samuel L. Jackson and his wife, I saw Will Smith and his children, Beyoncé was sitting on the same row as I, and Miguel was just behind me. The excitement was unfathomable, the attention I got from the media as well, it was just a beautiful and humbling experience.
4. Where do you find the inspiration to write love songs the way you do? Is it sentimental?

Most of the things I write about are inspired by my own relationship. However, I don’t limit myself, I observe other people as well, my parents, my fans, the stories they write to me and the ones I see on Facebook. But, I believe one has to have their own experience in order to fully relate to what they are singing about. I just put words and melody to the things we go through every day.

5. Having toured the US a number of times, what’s your view of the international market in terms of music?

It is such a huge market which has its challenges. I should also say that it is so beneficial to my career, and the media attention is also a positive thing.

We made an appearance on Fox TV, and went to a breakfast show in LA, and we managed to visit 12 states while we were there. I won’t necessarily say we are taking baby steps in penetrating that market, but I mean, if it took me ten years to build my brand in Mzansi, how much more in such a huge market like the US.

6. You sang for Obama? Tell us about that.

It was phenomenal; again I made it a point to remain calm and original. I was in the presence of great stardom, Miss USA was there, ambassadors from nearly the whole world, and I just felt I needed to be no one but myself.

I did a song by Al Green, called Let’s Stay Together, we did some research with my team and found that the Obamas love dancing to that song.

I also had to remain exclusive by doing my native songs, so I did Ngiyazifela alongside Mariam Makeba’s Phataphata. It was great.

7. How do you manage to keep your private life so private?

It’s a decision I made, one which seems to be working out pretty well for me. I think it brings that normalcy in my life, which helps me keep the necessary balance one needs.

South African media has been gracious to me in that regard, allowing me to keep it on the hush.

8. You have always rocked the same hairstyle, more or less? What is the story behind that?

I just wanted to be authentic; in between the choices I had, short hair was ideal. Although I was a little bit skeptical in the beginning, the inflexibility and all, but I fell in love with it.

The originality and ability to do all the things that come with it, such as swimming. And of course, the one greatest benefit of all, being able to save on hairdos and less hustle.

9. You have always produced the same kind of feel in your music, do you ever consider changing your style maybe?

I wouldn’t really say it’s the same kind of music, rather a revolution in the Lira era. The only consistency I strive to keep is the content in a sense of the messages that I pass across.

I sing love songs, I don’t think I will change the genres, I honestly don’t see that one happening, at least not yet.
10. The “Eduze Kwami” song sounds like a translated version of Emeli Sande’s Next to me. What’s the story behind it?

WOW! You have no idea the shock I went through when I heard the song. It was pure coincidence. I didn’t know there was such a song, I went to look it up after I saw comments on YouTube from my fans. I said “What?”… I honestly was surprised as well.

Had I known about the song earlier, I probably would have made changes to mine, or not release it mine at all. Pity it is my favorite release of 2014, I was even discouraged to make the video to it, I said to myself, there goes my favorite song.

For what it’s worth, the rhythm was purely inspired by Lenny Williams’ Because I love You.

11. Are you involved in any charity work?

Absolutely, I am a fan of education. However, I don’t like my charity work involvement being on the public eye, a decision which I’m not sure if it’s a yey or ney, because the more people see the good you do, the more they get encouraged to do the same as well.

I work with the Students’ Scholarship Programme, it deals with getting learners into private schools. One of my favorite students is a certain Siya, I forgot his surname, who made it to Harvard University. He loves Astronomy so much, NASA named a star after him, South Africans don’t know about this. But it’s one of those inspiring stories.

12. You seem to be a regular in the province. What’s your favorite holiday destination in Mpumalanga?

I love Kruger National Park. I think it’s really beautiful. I also love God’s Window, I think Mpumalanga is a stunning province altogether.

13. What can people expect from your shows?

Bring your partner, bring your friend or anyone that you love, those will be shows to remember. The level planned for these shows will be the first I ever had to do, skyrocketing.

I am bringing gifts this time, a CD and DVD which covers music from across the decade, upon ticket purchase, will be one of the things the people should look forward to. Nothing but great energy and love vibes will be experienced, we are celebrating the greatest feeling of them all, love.

Competition questions:

Which song did she sing for US President Barack Obama?

Where is LIRA performing on Valentines Day?

email your answers to: sesane@lowvelder.co.za and the closing date is February 11, 2015 at 12 noon.