Lira

Born on March 14, 1979, Lerato Molapo grew up a shy child in Daveyton, Johannesburg. The future R&B superstar who became known worldwide as Lira would shudder at the prospect of having to speak publically. The music of Miriam Makeba, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and Nina Simone provided a sanctuary, though—one that would prove a gold mine in later years. This early exposure to soul and jazz greats schooled her in songwriting, a skill evident throughout her discography, especially on her major-label debut, 2006’s Feel Good. The title track is a funk-driven neo-soul sunshine cut; “Ixesha” keens about not having her love and her time wanted, and the ballad “Ngiyazifela” finds her flexing over a beat that changes from subdued to hi-energy to great effect. She joined the South African version of The Voice as a vocal coach in 2016, helping the next generation of singers be heard.