Radiant. Few words come close todescribing the rich, silky sound of South Africa’s preeminent female vocalistof the 21st century, LIRA. Widely regarded as one of South Africa'stop adult contemporary artist, LIRA has racked up an impressive series ofachievements since launching her musical career nearly a decade ago, blazing atrail of accomplishments that few artists in the history of the continent canlay claim to like releasing the first blu-ray, gracing the covers of aninfinite number of fashion and lifestyle magazine and maintaining the largestFacebook following of any South African musician, with over half a millionfans. Her flawless dossier boasts a multitude of accolades and nominations from South African Music Awards, MTV Africa Awards, BET Awards, Channel O Awards and MOBO Awards as well as Glamour Magazine South Africa's "Woman of the Year" - all of which have left an indelible impression on Africa-at-large.

LIRA is already a beloved superstar in her homeland, now with her American debut Rise Again (Shanachie Records) the charismatic songbird is ready to introduce international ears to her elegantly yet earthy Afro-Soul; an urbane, sophisticated genre described as “a fusion of soul music, elements of jazz, funk, and African languages.” Global media outlets have been taking notice, with Essence Magazine naming LIRA one of"Five Unique Artists Set to Change Music in 2012" and L'Uomo Vogue including her in their Re-Branding Africa issue.

Rearedon a steady diet of American soul luminaries LIRA’s music is a glowingtestament to her immense growth, eschewing despair for lyrics replete withhope, love, and a profound sense of interconnectedness. One listen to RiseAgain will confirm why LIRA has been embraced in a world as harshas South Africa. The multi-lingual young artist's distinctive, effervescent song craft combines breezy melodicism,irresistible rhythmic drive and uplifting, personally-charged lyrics that allow such memorable tunes as "Feel Good," "Believer,""Ixesha" and "Phakade" —to fulfill her goal of making music that's "beautiful, uplifting, empowering and celebratory."

Rise Again—whose songs are drawn from LIRA's massively popular SouthAfrican catalogue —offers a persuasive testament to the human spirit's abilityto transcend in the face of obstacles and seemingly insurmountable odds, andher confident and vibrant, inspired performances bring the songs' upbeatlyrical sentiments to life. While LIRA's music reflects her abiding love for such seminal influences as Miriam Makeba, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and Nina Simone, and sits comfortably alongside the contemporary work of such performers as Sade, Maxwell and Lizz Wright, but LIRA's singular voice and deeply personal perspective make her a one-of-a-kind recording artist, as well as a top-flight concert attraction.

As partof a new cadre of African artists making waves stateside such as K’Naan, Nneka,and D'Banj, LIRA sees herself as an ambassador of the new Africa: a land where,despite a recent history filled with obstacles, a future brimming with infinitepossibilities lies. LIRA feels that this pressure to thrive outside of convention has bred a unique brand of ingenuity that will propel her and her fellow artists to the world stage.

“We'reproud of being African, but there’s also a desire to be a part of the world.Part of the way we can raise the consciousness back home is when people see usrise on the world stage. We don’t do it for the individual, we do it for the entire group.”

Growingup in the Daveyton township in Johannesburg’s East Rand, LIRA’s world wasshaped by the harsh realities of South Africa’s formerly ubiquitous racial andsocioeconomic arbiter: apartheid. However, the sociopolitical constraints leveled at her generation did little to inhibit the urbane aspirations and dampen their resilient spirit of transcendence.

“In South Africa, we became veryintegrated with not only other black cultures, but people of all backgrounds.This made us thirsty to integrate into the world. My generation was the firstto break free of our mental limitations and physical boundaries and setourselves free in a true sense. It celebrates the human spirit, which can neverbe caged completely. A person can put you in a cage and hurt you, but theycan’t touch your spirit and your mind. It’s celebrating those freedoms.”

In 2003 LIRA’s debut album All My Loveearned the grand distinction of dethroning an international superstar from thetop spot, the title track knocked Beyonce’s “Dangerously in Love” off the #1position on South African charts, marking the first time in history a localsong had been played as frequently. LIRA went on to release three more platinum selling albums including Feel Good (2006), Soul in Mind (2008)and Return to Love (2011) while the title track to her debut album“Feel Good” officially became the first music video from a South African artist featured on VH-1.

In 2010, LIRA joined Alicia Keys, Black Eyed Peas,Shakira, K'Naan and John Legend at the FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Concert toperform a rousing rendition of Miriam Makeba's crossover classic "PataPata." Soon after, she wasselected to perform as part of former South African president Nelson Mandela's92nd birthday celebration telecast. Her performance of the popular Labi Siffre anti-apartheid tune and Mandela favorite “(Something Inside) So Strong” with the Soweto Spiritual Singers proved to be one of the most stunning live vocal performances in her career to date.