Joy Keys chats with South African Singer Lira

To say that that Lira is South Africa’s most successful and high-profile young female solo artist just a handful of albums into her career is no puffery.

From her first tentative steps with the 2003 album, “All My Love” to her 2006 record ‘Feel Good’ and 2008’s ‘Soul In Mind’, the girl from Daveyton township on Joburg’s East Rand (who wrote her first song when she was just 16) has pursued a career that has put her on top of her very considerable game.

 ‘Feel Good’ album’s title track became an instant – and enduring radio hit – earning a place as one of the most-played songs ever on South African radio.

Lira’s follow-up, 2008’s ‘Soul In Mind’, was as potent, earning Lira Album of the Year and Best Female Artist awards at the 2009 South African Music Awards. She was named Best Female Artist in 2010 for the live recording ‘Lira - Live in Concert: A Celebration’.

In fact, the success of the latter DVD was proved when it became the fastest selling locally released live DVD in South Africa’s history – reaching double platinum status less than a year after its release.

Early 2011 sees the release of Lira’s fourth studio record – ‘Return To Love’. It’s an album that again raises the bar for an artist who never ceases to push forward. And it’s likely to be Lira’s breakthrough record into a global market that is set to be as smitten by this genuinely warm, hugely gifted artist as her homegrown fans are.

WEBSITE: http://www.misslira.co.za/