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Lira to perform for Barack Obama

OLYMPIC OVERTURE: Top SA singer Lira performs at the gala evening on Thursday to bid farewell to Olympic swimmer Cameron van der Bergh at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg. PHOTO: BAFANA MAHLANGU
OLYMPIC OVERTURE: Top SA singer Lira performs at the gala evening on Thursday to bid farewell to Olympic swimmer Cameron van der Bergh at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg. PHOTO: BAFANA MAHLANGU

AN HONOUR: Lira and her band will perform two sets for Obama and 200 other heads of state

South African singing sensation Lira, aka Lerato Molapo, is set to give the performance of her life when she sings for US President Barack Obama at his inaugural ball in Washington DC.

Lira, who has been pursuing the US market for the past three years, was chosen from a shortlist of African musicians nominated to perform at the themed ball, which will be held on January 21.

The "I’m A Believer" singer’s manager and husband Robin Kohl confirmed that Lira had landed the prestigious gig, which he described as “massive”.

Kohl said: “There are several themed balls that take place for the inauguration. There is a new addition with an African theme that focuses on African artists. Lira was short-listed for this and we are absolutely stoked to confirm that she will be performing”.

Lira and her band will leave South Africa for Washington on 19 January for the gig, at which she will perform two sets for Obama and 200 other heads of state.

“This is absolutely massive for us,” said Kohl.

“We have been plugging away at the US market for three years now. We have an independent distributor and a publicist in LA. We have been there about three months of every year and people are now getting to know who she is.”

Channel 24

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