Lira, ‘thee African sister’

By Tshepo Bareetseng
Lerato Molapo who is also known as “Lira” was born in Daveyton Township in the Eastern side of Johannesburg. Lira stated singing and performing at the age of 16. She was inspired by the great: Miriam Makeba, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and many more others. Lerato studied Accounting but decided to use her singing skills to pursue her dream which resulted in her first demo release at the age of 18.
Lira was discovered by a producer, kwaito artist called Arthur Mafokate in the year 2000. Arthur signed Lira to his record label ‘999 Music’ and helped her release her first debut Album ‘All MY LOVE’ in 2003.
The Album earned her the Metro Fm Awards, South African Music Awards and Channel O Reel Music Awards. In 2010, she shared a stage with American singers Alicia Keys and John Legend at the FIFA world Cup Kick-Off Concert performing a cover song ‘Pata Pata’ which was originally recorded by the Late Miriam Makeba.
She now has many great Albums like ‘Feel Good (2006), Soul in Mind (2008), (Return to Love (2011), Rise Again (2014), she was named “woman of the year” by the Glamour Magazine this year (2015). She is now signed to “Sony Music Africa”.
who is also known as “Lira” was born in Daveyton Township in the Eastern side of Johannesburg. Lira stated singing and performing at the age of 16. She was inspired by the great: Miriam Makeba, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and many more others. Lerato studied Accounting but decided to use her singing skills to pursue her dream which resulted in her first demo release at the age of 18.
Lira was discovered by a producer, kwaito artist called Arthur Mafokate in the year 2000. Arthur signed Lira to his record label ‘999 Music’ and helped her release her first debut Album ‘All MY LOVE’ in 2003.
The Album earned her the Metro Fm Awards, South African Music Awards and Channel O Reel Music Awards. In 2010, she shared a stage with American singers Alicia Keys and John Legend at the FIFA world Cup Kick-Off Concert performing a cover song ‘Pata Pata’ which was originally recorded by the Late Miriam Makeba.
She now has many great Albums like ‘Feel Good (2006), Soul in Mind (2008), (Return to Love (2011), Rise Again (2014), she was named “woman of the year” by the Glamour Magazine this year (2015). She is now signed to “Sony Music Africa”.