Lemar
Encyclopedia
Lemar Obika professionally known simply as Lemar, is an English recording artist. Obika has had a run of chart
success in the UK
, Europe
and Australia
. He rose to fame after finishing in third place on the first series of British talent show Fame Academy
, which was won by David Sneddon
.
Since then Lemar has had 7 top ten UK singles and sold over 2 million albums. He is seen as one of the most successful artists to come out of a reality TV show. Lemar has won two Brit Awards
and three Mobo Awards
.
, North London
, England
to Ibo parents of Enugu State,South Eastern Nigeria.He grew up listening to R&B
and soul music
. He used to sing at home with his brothers and sister, pretending to be The Jacksons
.
He was 17 when he had his first concert at the Junior Jam at the Temple in Tottenham
supporting Usher
. Later on he gave up an opportunity to study pharmacy at Cardiff University
to pursue a musical career. Lemar had some success supporting various artists such as Destiny's Child
, Total
, Uncle Sam
and Usher Raymond on their UK club tours and after some years, managed to secure a recording contract with BMG. Following this, he released his debut single "Got Me Saying Ooh
". Unfortunately his record deal with BMG fell through in less than a year due to restructuring at the record label. He had to eventually take a job working as an accounts manager at NatWest in Enfield
, north London.
's Fame Academy
in 2002, a combination of a talent quest and reality television show. He made the finals of the show winning plaudits for his version of "Let's Stay Together
" by Al Green
and singing a duet with Lionel Richie
on "Easy". While he ended up finishing third in the show, which was won by David Sneddon
, he caught the eye of fellow British
soul singer Beverley Knight
, who invited him to sing a duet with her during her concert at the Hammersmith Apollo
.
Sony Music was so impressed with his potential that they signed him to a five-year record deal worth £1 million. He was also the contestant from Fame Academy
chosen to represent the UK in Eurobest, coming fifth (the eventual winner being Chenoa
from Spain
).
Lemar's second single "Dance (With U)
" reached number two on the UK Singles Chart in early 2003. His first album Dedicated
was released late in 2003 with additional singles "50/50
" and "Another Day
" also achieving chart success in the UK. Following the success of the album, he commenced his first headlining tour of the UK. After completing his UK tour, Lemar was the opening act for Justin Timberlake
's UK tour dates.
Live Lounge
and performed a cover of U2
's song "Vertigo". He has also performed for Prince Charles
' Prince's Trust.
In early November 2004, Lemar released his first single from the album "Time to Grow
". "If There's Any Justice
" reached number three on the UK Singles Chart, and has become one of Lemar's most recognised songs. ""Time to Grow
"" was released following the single and peaked at number 8 on the UK Albums Chart, to date, the album has been certificated 2x Platuim by the BPI. Two other singles were released from the album, "Time to Grow
" and "Don't Give It Up".
He is also one of the artists included on Band Aid 20
s single "Do They Know It's Christmas?
".
", which became his sixth UK top ten hit. A week later his new album The Truth About Love was released, which saw guest appearances from Styles P
from The L.O.X.
, Mica Paris
and Joss Stone
. The album became Lemar's highest charting album to date, peaking at number three on the UK Albums Chart
, outpeaking Time to Grow
(number eight) and Dedicated
(number sixteen). Two more singles were released from the album, "Someone Should Tell You
" and "Tick Tock"
. At the Brit Awards in 2007, Lemar was hoping to arrive in a makeshift limo, with James May
from the BBC
s Top Gear. Lemar ultimately got frustrated with May and got out of the car after May repeatedly got lost. He featured on Sway
's first single "Saturday Night Hustle
" from the album The Signature LP
.
Lemar's fourth studio album "The Reason" was released on 24 November 2008, entering the UK Albums Chart at No. 41. Lead single "If She Knew
" was released on 10 November 2008, and peaked on the UK Singles Chart at No. 14. On 2 March 2010, Lemar released his second single from the album, "Weight of the World"
, the song peaked at number 31 on the UK Singles Chart. He performed both singles on GMTV
.
" on the BBC1 show So You Think You Can Dance
on 9 January 2010. He also performed the single on GMTV
in February. The single was released on Valentine’s Day and peaked at number eight on the UK Singles Chart. On 8 March, the single was followed by his much anticipated album, The Hits
. Which - as well as including 10 hit singles from his four studio albums - also features four new tracks. In addtiton to "The Way Love Goes
", these include a duet with Britain's chart-topping pop/R&B boy-band JLS
on a re-recording of Lemar's own 2003 ballad "What About Love". On 19 March, Lemar and JLS
performed the song together on Sport Relief.
On 11 March 2010 Lemar's album The Hits
hit number one on the R&B download charts on iTunes. Along with 9 of Lemar's songs in the top 100 downloads. It peaked at number eighteen on the UK Albums Chart. Near the end of March 2010 Lemar performed a Radio 1's
Live Lounge
version of "Empire State of Mind
". He also recorded cover versions of Beyonce's "Sweet Dreams
" and Alicia Key's "Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart
".
Lemar appeared as a special guest on the U.K Dates of Mary J Blige's World Tour. His confirmed dates where at Birmingham's LG Arena, London's O2 Arena
and Manchester's MEN Arena. The first date, in London, was on 2 November 2010. It was also been announced that Lemar would be the special guest on the U.K. dates of Enrique Iglesias
' Tour in 2011.
:
Mobo Awards
:
's private Portland hospital weighing 7 lb. His cousin, Jonathan Obika
is a Premier League footballer who plays for Tottenham Hotspur. As of May 2009 Obika had accumulated wealth of £4 Million.
Record chart
A record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
success in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. He rose to fame after finishing in third place on the first series of British talent show Fame Academy
Fame Academy
Fame Academy is a televised competition to search for and educate new musical talents. The winner received a chance to become a successful music artist. The prize consisted of a £1m recording contract with a major record company, plus the use of a luxury apartment in London and a sports car for one...
, which was won by David Sneddon
David Sneddon
David Sneddon is a Scottish musician and singer-songwriter.He has performed on British television, radio and theatre. Sneddon won the first BBC UK series of Fame Academy in 2002...
.
Since then Lemar has had 7 top ten UK singles and sold over 2 million albums. He is seen as one of the most successful artists to come out of a reality TV show. Lemar has won two Brit Awards
Brit Awards
The Brit Awards are the British Phonographic Industry's annual pop music awards. The name was originally a shortened form of "British", "Britain" or "Britannia", but subsequently became a backronym for British Record Industry Trust...
and three Mobo Awards
MOBO Awards
The Music of Black Origin Awards, established in 1995 by Kanya King MBE and Andy Ruffell, are held annually in the United Kingdom to recognise artists of any ethnicity or nationality performing black music....
.
Early life
Lemar Obika was born in Muswell HillMuswell Hill
Muswell Hill is a suburb of north London, mostly in the London Borough of Haringey. It is situated about north of Charing Cross and around from the City of London. Muswell Hill is in the N10 postal district and mostly in the Hornsey and Wood Green parliamentary constituency.- History :The...
, North London
North London
North London is the northern part of London, England. It is an imprecise description and the area it covers is defined differently for a range of purposes. Common to these definitions is that it includes districts located north of the River Thames and is used in comparison with South...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
to Ibo parents of Enugu State,South Eastern Nigeria.He grew up listening to R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
and soul music
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
. He used to sing at home with his brothers and sister, pretending to be The Jacksons
The Jackson 5
The Jackson 5 , later known as The Jacksons, were an American popular music family group from Gary, Indiana...
.
He was 17 when he had his first concert at the Junior Jam at the Temple in Tottenham
Tottenham
Tottenham is an area of the London Borough of Haringey, England, situated north north east of Charing Cross.-Toponymy:Tottenham is believed to have been named after Tota, a farmer, whose hamlet was mentioned in the Domesday Book; hence Tota's hamlet became Tottenham...
supporting Usher
Usher (entertainer)
Usher Terry Raymond IV , who performs under the mononym Usher, is an American singer-songwriter, and actor. He is considered around the world to be the reigning King of R&B. Usher rose to fame in the late 1990s with the release of his second album My Way, which spawned his first Billboard Hot 100...
. Later on he gave up an opportunity to study pharmacy at Cardiff University
Cardiff University
Cardiff University is a leading research university located in the Cathays Park area of Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. It received its Royal charter in 1883 and is a member of the Russell Group of Universities. The university is consistently recognised as providing high quality research-based...
to pursue a musical career. Lemar had some success supporting various artists such as Destiny's Child
Destiny's Child
Destiny's Child was an American R&B girl group whose final line-up comprised lead singer Beyoncé Knowles alongside Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. Formed in 1997 in Houston, Texas, Destiny's Child members began their musical endeavors in their pre-teens under the name Girl's Tyme...
, Total
Total (band)
Total was an American R&B girl group and one of the signature acts of Sean Combs' Bad Boy Records imprint during the 1990s.-Emergence & Total:...
, Uncle Sam
Uncle Sam
Uncle Sam is a common national personification of the American government originally used during the War of 1812. He is depicted as a stern elderly man with white hair and a goatee beard...
and Usher Raymond on their UK club tours and after some years, managed to secure a recording contract with BMG. Following this, he released his debut single "Got Me Saying Ooh
Got Me Saying Ooh
"Got Me Saying Ooh" is the debut single from British R&B singer Lemar. The song was his first and only single for RCA Records. The song is very different in style to Lemar's other material, as it contains a UK Garage/dance oriented sound...
". Unfortunately his record deal with BMG fell through in less than a year due to restructuring at the record label. He had to eventually take a job working as an accounts manager at NatWest in Enfield
London Borough of Enfield
The London Borough of Enfield is the most northerly London borough and forms part of Outer London. It borders the London Boroughs of Barnet, Haringey and Waltham Forest...
, north London.
2002–03: Fame Academy and Dedication
Lemar was most notably brought to public attention on the BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
's Fame Academy
Fame Academy
Fame Academy is a televised competition to search for and educate new musical talents. The winner received a chance to become a successful music artist. The prize consisted of a £1m recording contract with a major record company, plus the use of a luxury apartment in London and a sports car for one...
in 2002, a combination of a talent quest and reality television show. He made the finals of the show winning plaudits for his version of "Let's Stay Together
Let's Stay Together (song)
"Let's Stay Together" is a song by Al Green on his 1972 album of the same name. Released as a single in 1971, the song reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and remained on the chart for 16 weeks and also topped Billboards R&B chart for nine weeks. It was ranked the 60th greatest song of all time...
" by Al Green
Al Green
Albert Greene , better known as Al Green, is an American gospel and soul music singer. He reached the peak of his popularity in the 1970s, with hit singles such as "You Oughta Be With Me", "I'm Still In Love With You", "Love and Happiness", and "Let's Stay Together"...
and singing a duet with Lionel Richie
Lionel Richie
Lionel Brockman Richie, Jr. , is an American singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. Since 1968, he has been a member of the musical group Commodores signed to Motown Records...
on "Easy". While he ended up finishing third in the show, which was won by David Sneddon
David Sneddon
David Sneddon is a Scottish musician and singer-songwriter.He has performed on British television, radio and theatre. Sneddon won the first BBC UK series of Fame Academy in 2002...
, he caught the eye of fellow British
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
soul singer Beverley Knight
Beverley Knight
Beverley Knight MBE is a British soul and R&B singer, songwriter, and record producer who released her debut album in 1995. Heavily influenced by soul greats such as Sam Cooke and Aretha Franklin, Knight has released six studio albums to date...
, who invited him to sing a duet with her during her concert at the Hammersmith Apollo
Hammersmith Apollo
Hammersmith Apollo is a major entertainment venue located in Hammersmith, London. Designed by Robert Cromie in Art Deco style, it opened in 1932 as the Gaumont Palace cinema, being re-named the Hammersmith Odeon in 1962...
.
Sony Music was so impressed with his potential that they signed him to a five-year record deal worth £1 million. He was also the contestant from Fame Academy
Fame Academy
Fame Academy is a televised competition to search for and educate new musical talents. The winner received a chance to become a successful music artist. The prize consisted of a £1m recording contract with a major record company, plus the use of a luxury apartment in London and a sports car for one...
chosen to represent the UK in Eurobest, coming fifth (the eventual winner being Chenoa
Chenoa
María Laura Corradini Falomir, popularly known as Chenoa is a famous Argentine-Spanish female music artist who became successful after appearing on the TV contest Operación Triunfo. Her music style could be described in the United States as pop...
from Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
).
Lemar's second single "Dance (With U)
Dance (With U)
"Dance " is the second single from British R&B singer Lemar and his first for Sony Music after coming third place in the BBC show Fame Academy.The single became a huge hit in the UK, peaking at #2 in the UK singles chart in 2003.-Track listings:...
" reached number two on the UK Singles Chart in early 2003. His first album Dedicated
Dedicated (Lemar album)
Dedicated is the debut album by English soul/R&B singer Lemar.-Making of the album:Sony Music signed Lemar to a five-record deal after his success on the BBC Television program Fame Academy in 2002. His first single "Dance With U" was written with Fitzgerald Scott who had previously worked with...
was released late in 2003 with additional singles "50/50
50/50 / Lullaby
"50/50 & Lullaby" is a double A-side single from British R&B singer Lemar, his third single, and the lead single from his debut album Dedicated....
" and "Another Day
Another Day (Lemar song)
"Another Day" is the third and final single released from British R&B singer Lemar's debut album Dedicated.The single became Lemar's third consecutive top ten hit in the UK, peaking at number nine in February 2004.-Track listings:...
" also achieving chart success in the UK. Following the success of the album, he commenced his first headlining tour of the UK. After completing his UK tour, Lemar was the opening act for Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake
Justin Randall Timberlake is an American pop musician and actor. He achieved early fame when he appeared as a contestant on Star Search, and went on to star in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, where he met future bandmate JC Chasez...
's UK tour dates.
2004–05: Time to Grow
On 12 November 2004 Lemar guested on Radio 1'sBBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
Live Lounge
Live Lounge
The Live Lounge is a segment on the British radio station BBC Radio 1. Originally hosted by Jo Whiley on her mid-morning radio show and now hosted by Fearne Cotton, it exhibits well-known artists usually performing one song of their own and one by another artist, in an acoustic format...
and performed a cover of U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
's song "Vertigo". He has also performed for Prince Charles
Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
' Prince's Trust.
In early November 2004, Lemar released his first single from the album "Time to Grow
Time To Grow
Time to Grow is the second studio album by English soul/R&B singer Lemar. The album has been certified double platinum by the BPI.-Track listing:#"Soulman" - 3:18#"Better Than This" - 3:22#"I Don't Mind That" - 3:34#"What If?" - 4:28...
". "If There's Any Justice
If There's Any Justice
"If There's Any Justice" is the first single taken from British R&B singer Lemar's second album Time to Grow.The single became another top 10 hit for Lemar, peaking at #3 in the UK singles chart, his fourth in a row to reach the top ten...
" reached number three on the UK Singles Chart, and has become one of Lemar's most recognised songs. ""Time to Grow
Time To Grow
Time to Grow is the second studio album by English soul/R&B singer Lemar. The album has been certified double platinum by the BPI.-Track listing:#"Soulman" - 3:18#"Better Than This" - 3:22#"I Don't Mind That" - 3:34#"What If?" - 4:28...
"" was released following the single and peaked at number 8 on the UK Albums Chart, to date, the album has been certificated 2x Platuim by the BPI. Two other singles were released from the album, "Time to Grow
Time To Grow (song)
"Time to Grow" is the second single and title track of British R&B singer Lemar's second album Time To Grow.The single became Lemar's sixth top 10 hit in the UK, peaking at #9 in the UK singles chart....
" and "Don't Give It Up".
He is also one of the artists included on Band Aid 20
Band Aid 20
Band Aid 20 was the 2004 incarnation of the charity group Band Aid. The group, which included Chris Martin of Coldplay, Bono of U2, and Paul McCartney, re-recorded the 1984 song "Do They Know It's Christmas?", written by Band Aid organizers Bob Geldof and Midge Ure.-Recording:The song was recorded...
s single "Do They Know It's Christmas?
Do They Know It's Christmas?
"Do They Know It's Christmas?" is a song written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure in 1984 to raise money for relief of the 1984–1985 famine in Ethiopia. The original version was produced by Midge Ure and released by Band Aid on 29 November 1984....
".
2006–08:
The Truth About Love and The Reason 4 September 2006 saw Lemar return with his eighth single, entitled "It's Not That EasyIt's Not That Easy
"It's Not That Easy" is the first single taken from British R&B singer Lemar's third album The Truth About Love.Before the single's release, "It's Not That Easy" made the top 3 of the UK radio airplay chart and the top 10 of the TV airplay chart. The week prior to the single's physical release,...
", which became his sixth UK top ten hit. A week later his new album The Truth About Love was released, which saw guest appearances from Styles P
Styles P
David Styles better known by his stage name, Styles P, is an American rapper, author, and entrepreneur. He is prominently known as a member of Hip Hop group The LOX and is also a part of the Ruff Ryders hip-hop group, and in addition has released multiple albums and mixtapes as a solo...
from The L.O.X.
D-block
The d-block is the portion of the periodic table that contains the element groups 3-12. These groups correspond to the filling of the atomic d-orbital subshell, with electron configurations ranging from s2d1 to s2d10...
, Mica Paris
Mica Paris
Mica Paris is an English soul singer, radio and television presenter, and occasional actress. Her forename is pronounced Misha.-Beginnings:Paris' roots are in soul and gospel music...
and Joss Stone
Joss Stone
Jocelyn Eve Stoker , better known by her stage name Joss Stone, is an English soul singer-songwriter and actress. Stone rose to fame in late 2003 with her multi-platinum debut album, The Soul Sessions, which made the 2004 Mercury Prize shortlist...
. The album became Lemar's highest charting album to date, peaking at number three on the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
, outpeaking Time to Grow
Time To Grow
Time to Grow is the second studio album by English soul/R&B singer Lemar. The album has been certified double platinum by the BPI.-Track listing:#"Soulman" - 3:18#"Better Than This" - 3:22#"I Don't Mind That" - 3:34#"What If?" - 4:28...
(number eight) and Dedicated
Dedicated (Lemar album)
Dedicated is the debut album by English soul/R&B singer Lemar.-Making of the album:Sony Music signed Lemar to a five-record deal after his success on the BBC Television program Fame Academy in 2002. His first single "Dance With U" was written with Fitzgerald Scott who had previously worked with...
(number sixteen). Two more singles were released from the album, "Someone Should Tell You
Someone Should Tell You
"Someone Should Tell You" was the second single taken from British R&B singer Lemar's third album The Truth About Love.Before the single's release, "Someone Should Tell You" followed the success of "It's Not That Easy" in the UK airplay charts by climbing into the top 10, peaking at #10...
" and "Tick Tock"
Tick Tock (song)
"Tick Tock" is the third single taken from British R&B singer Lemar's third album The Truth About Love. The single was confirmed for release by music retailer HMV UK and was released on 19 March 2007....
. At the Brit Awards in 2007, Lemar was hoping to arrive in a makeshift limo, with James May
James May
James Daniel May is an English television presenter, journalist and writer. He is best known for his role as co-presenter of the award-winning motoring programme Top Gear alongside Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond....
from the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
s Top Gear. Lemar ultimately got frustrated with May and got out of the car after May repeatedly got lost. He featured on Sway
Sway DaSafo
Derek Andrew Safo is a Ghanaian British musician who uses the stage names Sway DaSafo or Sway. He is signed to Akon's Konvict Muzik record label and he is also a producer, establishing DCypha Productions.-Childhood:...
's first single "Saturday Night Hustle
Saturday Night Hustle
"Saturday Night Hustle" is the second single released from Sway's second album The Signature LP. It features R&B singer Lemar.The song was produced by Al Shux, who has worked with Sway before. The single was released on September 15, 2008...
" from the album The Signature LP
The Signature LP
The Signature LP is Sway DaSafo's second album, released on October 6, 2008. Most of the album was produced by Sway with his Dcypha Productions team; other producers included Louis Gibzen, Guy Katsav and Akon.-Background:...
.
Lemar's fourth studio album "The Reason" was released on 24 November 2008, entering the UK Albums Chart at No. 41. Lead single "If She Knew
If She Knew
"If She Knew" is a song by British R&B singer Lemar, released as the first single from his fourth album, The Reason.The song has been a further top 20 success for Lemar; it was C-listed on BBC Radio 1, entering the UK Singles Chart at #61 after just two full days of download sales, and then...
" was released on 10 November 2008, and peaked on the UK Singles Chart at No. 14. On 2 March 2010, Lemar released his second single from the album, "Weight of the World"
Weight of the World (Lemar song)
"Weight of the World" is the second and final single taken from British R&B singer Lemar's fourth studio album, The Reason."Weight of the World" is co-produced by Jim Jonsin and Louis Biancaniello, while Lemar and Sam Watters co-wrote the lyrics. "Weight of the World" was released on 2 March 2009....
, the song peaked at number 31 on the UK Singles Chart. He performed both singles on GMTV
GMTV
GMTV was the national Channel 3 breakfast television contractor, broadcasting in the United Kingdom from 1 January 1993 to 3 September 2010. It became a wholly owned subsidiary of ITV plc. in November 2009. Shortly after, ITV plc announced the programme would end...
.
2010–11: The Hits and Touring
Lemar performed his new single "The Way Love GoesThe Way Love Goes
"The Way Love Goes" is the first single taken from British R&B singer Lemar's first compilation album The Hits. The song received a digital download release on 14 February 2010, while a physical CD was released the following day.-Background:...
" on the BBC1 show So You Think You Can Dance
So You Think You Can Dance (UK)
So You Think You Can Dance is a televised dance competition and reality show that launched in the United Kingdom in January 2010 and similar to the version of the program that has began airing in the USA in 2005. The show is broadcast on BBC One. The content of the show is similar premise to the...
on 9 January 2010. He also performed the single on GMTV
GMTV
GMTV was the national Channel 3 breakfast television contractor, broadcasting in the United Kingdom from 1 January 1993 to 3 September 2010. It became a wholly owned subsidiary of ITV plc. in November 2009. Shortly after, ITV plc announced the programme would end...
in February. The single was released on Valentine’s Day and peaked at number eight on the UK Singles Chart. On 8 March, the single was followed by his much anticipated album, The Hits
The Hits (Lemar album)
The Hits is the first greatest hits collection by English soul/R&B singer Lemar. The album was released on March 8, 2010. The first single off the album is called "The Way Love Goes". The album also contains two other new songs plus a re-recorded version of "What About Love" with X Factor 2008...
. Which - as well as including 10 hit singles from his four studio albums - also features four new tracks. In addtiton to "The Way Love Goes
The Way Love Goes
"The Way Love Goes" is the first single taken from British R&B singer Lemar's first compilation album The Hits. The song received a digital download release on 14 February 2010, while a physical CD was released the following day.-Background:...
", these include a duet with Britain's chart-topping pop/R&B boy-band JLS
JLS
- Music :* JLS, an English boyband** JLS , debut album by JLS* JLS a Spanish Rock band based in Zaragoza , Spain formed in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic by lead Leo Susana.- Organizations :...
on a re-recording of Lemar's own 2003 ballad "What About Love". On 19 March, Lemar and JLS
JLS
- Music :* JLS, an English boyband** JLS , debut album by JLS* JLS a Spanish Rock band based in Zaragoza , Spain formed in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic by lead Leo Susana.- Organizations :...
performed the song together on Sport Relief.
On 11 March 2010 Lemar's album The Hits
The Hits (Lemar album)
The Hits is the first greatest hits collection by English soul/R&B singer Lemar. The album was released on March 8, 2010. The first single off the album is called "The Way Love Goes". The album also contains two other new songs plus a re-recorded version of "What About Love" with X Factor 2008...
hit number one on the R&B download charts on iTunes. Along with 9 of Lemar's songs in the top 100 downloads. It peaked at number eighteen on the UK Albums Chart. Near the end of March 2010 Lemar performed a Radio 1's
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
Live Lounge
Live Lounge
The Live Lounge is a segment on the British radio station BBC Radio 1. Originally hosted by Jo Whiley on her mid-morning radio show and now hosted by Fearne Cotton, it exhibits well-known artists usually performing one song of their own and one by another artist, in an acoustic format...
version of "Empire State of Mind
Empire State of Mind
"Empire State of Mind" is a song by American rapper and hip hop artist Jay-Z, featuring vocals and a chorus from R&B and soul singer Alicia Keys. It was released as the third single from Jay-Z's 11th studio album The Blueprint 3 by his Roc Nation label in October 2009...
". He also recorded cover versions of Beyonce's "Sweet Dreams
Sweet Dreams (Beyoncé Knowles song)
"Sweet Dreams" is a song by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles from her third studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce . Originally titled "Beautiful Nightmare", the song leaked in March 2008, eight months prior to the album's release. Written and produced by Knowles, James Scheffer, Wayne Wilkins, and...
" and Alicia Key's "Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart
Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart
"Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart" is a song performed by American recording artist Alicia Keys. It was released as the second single from her fourth studio album, The Element of Freedom . The ballad has been hailed by many music critics as the best track from the album. It marks a departure in...
".
Lemar appeared as a special guest on the U.K Dates of Mary J Blige's World Tour. His confirmed dates where at Birmingham's LG Arena, London's O2 Arena
The O2 arena (London)
The O2 Arena is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in the centre of The O2, a large entertainment complex on the Greenwich peninsula in London, England.With a capacity of up to 20,000 depending on the event, it is second largest...
and Manchester's MEN Arena. The first date, in London, was on 2 November 2010. It was also been announced that Lemar would be the special guest on the U.K. dates of Enrique Iglesias
Enrique Iglesias
Enrique Iglesias is a Spanish pop music singer, a son of singer Julio Iglesias.Enrique started his musical career on Mexican label Fonovisa...
' Tour in 2011.
Studio albums
- 2003: DedicatedDedicated (Lemar album)Dedicated is the debut album by English soul/R&B singer Lemar.-Making of the album:Sony Music signed Lemar to a five-record deal after his success on the BBC Television program Fame Academy in 2002. His first single "Dance With U" was written with Fitzgerald Scott who had previously worked with...
- 2004: Time to GrowTime To GrowTime to Grow is the second studio album by English soul/R&B singer Lemar. The album has been certified double platinum by the BPI.-Track listing:#"Soulman" - 3:18#"Better Than This" - 3:22#"I Don't Mind That" - 3:34#"What If?" - 4:28...
- 2006: The Truth About Love
- 2008: The Reason
Awards & Nominations
Brit AwardsBrit Awards
The Brit Awards are the British Phonographic Industry's annual pop music awards. The name was originally a shortened form of "British", "Britain" or "Britannia", but subsequently became a backronym for British Record Industry Trust...
:
- Winner 2006 - British Urban Act
- Winner 2004 - British Urban Act
- Nominee 2007 - British Male Solo Artist
- Nominee 2006 - British Urban Act
- Nominee 2005 - British Male Solo Artist
- Nominee 2005 - British Urban Act
- Nominee 2004 - Best British Breakthrough Act
- Nominee 2004 - Best British Urban Act
Mobo Awards
MOBO Awards
The Music of Black Origin Awards, established in 1995 by Kanya King MBE and Andy Ruffell, are held annually in the United Kingdom to recognise artists of any ethnicity or nationality performing black music....
:
- Winner 2006 - Best UK Male
- Winner 2005 - Best UK Male
- Winner 2005 - Best Album - Time to GrowTime To GrowTime to Grow is the second studio album by English soul/R&B singer Lemar. The album has been certified double platinum by the BPI.-Track listing:#"Soulman" - 3:18#"Better Than This" - 3:22#"I Don't Mind That" - 3:34#"What If?" - 4:28...
- Nominee 2009 - Best R&B/Soul Act
- Nominee 2007 - Best R&B Act
- Nominee 2005 - Best Video - If There's Any JusticeIf There's Any Justice"If There's Any Justice" is the first single taken from British R&B singer Lemar's second album Time to Grow.The single became another top 10 hit for Lemar, peaking at #3 in the UK singles chart, his fourth in a row to reach the top ten...
- Nominee 2005 - Best R&B Act
- Nominee 2004 - UK Act of the Year
- Nominee 2004 - Best R&B Act
Personal life
On 19 January 2008, MSN UK reported that Lemar became a father for the first time with his long term partner Charmaine Powell, who gave birth to a baby girl called Nyiema Obika at LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
's private Portland hospital weighing 7 lb. His cousin, Jonathan Obika
Jonathan Obika
Jonathan Chiedozie Obika is an English footballer who plays for Yeovil Town on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, as a striker.-Career:...
is a Premier League footballer who plays for Tottenham Hotspur. As of May 2009 Obika had accumulated wealth of £4 Million.
External links
- Lemar Online
- Lemar interview by Pete Lewis 'Blues & Soul' December 2008
- Lemar Live MTV Session MTV
- Hyves Lemar Fanpage
- Live on Channel V, Sydney
- Lemar Online Interview Scene Magazine
- Lemar Interviews and Live Performances The Talent Zone