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Revision as of 16:38, 8 September 2008
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Lemar Obika (born 4 April 1978), professionally known as Lemar, is a British Soul and R&B Singer, Songwriter and Vocal Producer who has had a run of chart success in the United Kingdom, Europe and Australia.
Life
Lemar was born in London to Nigerian (Igbo) parents, and was raised in Tottenham listening to Soul Music and R&B. He used to sing at home with his brothers and sister, pretending to be The Jacksons. He was seventeen when he had his first concert at the Junior Jam at the Temple in Tottenham supporting Usher. He gave up an opportunity to study pharmacy at the 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.
On Saturday 19th 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 London's private Portland hospital weighing 7 lb [1].
Fame Academy
Lemar was most notably brought to public attention on the BBC'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 English 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.
Recording career
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. Lemar won a BRIT Award for "Best Urban Act" in 2004. Following the success of the album, he commenced his first headlining tour of the UK.
On the 12th of November 2004 Lemar guested on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge and performed a cover of U2's song "Vertigo". He has also performed for Prince Charles' Prince's Trust.
He is also one of the many artists included on Band Aid 20's single "Do They Know It's Christmas?".
In February 2006, he won a second BRIT Award for "Best Urban Act".
4 September 2006 saw Lemar return with his eighth single, entitled "It's Not That Easy", 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
Lemar's 4th studio album "The Reason" is set for release on November 24th 2008. While the first single of the album will be called "If She Knew" released on 17th November 2008.
Lemar will also feature on Sway's first single "Saturday Night Hustle" from the album "Signature LP".
Discography
Albums
- Dedicated (2003) UK #16
- Time to Grow (2004) UK #8
- The Truth About Love (2006) UK #3
- The Reason (2008)
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Positions | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | UK DL | NZ | IRE | |||
| 2001 | "Got Me Saying Ooh" | — | — | — | — | Single-only release |
| 2003 | "Dance (With U)" | 2 | — | 6 | — | Dedicated |
| "50/50" / "Lullaby" | 5 | — | — | — | ||
| 2004 | "Another Day" | 9 | — | — | — | |
| "If There's Any Justice" | 3 | — | 21 | 19 | Time to Grow | |
| 2005 | "Time to Grow" | 9 | — | — | 13 | |
| "Don't Give It Up" | 21 | — | — | 30 | ||
| 2006 | "It's Not That Easy" | 7 | 29 | — | — | The Truth About Love |
| "Someone Should Tell You" | 21 | 23 | — | — | ||
| 2007 | "Tick Tock" | 45 | — | — | — | |
| 2008 | "If She Knew" | The Reason | ||||
Featured Singles
Saturday Night Hustle - Sway (Rapper) ft Lemar
Album Appearences
I'll Be Standing By - Ali Campbell ft Lemar
Trivia
- Many people in Barbados believe Lemar's last name to be Bedingfield, and not Obika; because they heard a female radio announcer indicate that his name appeared as Bedingfield on Billboard magazine.
- Lemar has co-written for other artists as well - he notably co-wrote a track on boyband V's debut album You Stood Up, entitled "Walk On".
- He is a fan of Tottenham Hotspur, an English football team based in the area where he went to college.
- He appeared on the March 4, 2007 episode of Top Gear, where James May attempted to drive him to Earl's Court for an awards show in his homemade stretch limousine. When James May got lost repeatedly, he got frustrated and got out of the car.
- He also performed at the pre-opening party at the 21st World Scout Jamboree in Summer 2007.
References
- ^ Lemar celebrating daughter's birth - MSN.co.uk Retrieved 20th January 2008
See also
External links
- Lemar Online website
- Hyves Lemar Fanpage
- Lemar in Ethiopia video
- [1] Live on channel V Sydney