Obika Obika Hip-hop artist Date of Birth: 04.04.1978 Country: Great Britain

1. Early Life and Influences
2. Musical Beginnings
3. Fame Academy and Sony Music
4. Commercial Success
5. Continued Acclaim
6. Musical Style

Early Life and Influences

Lemar Obika, known professionally as Lemar, was born on April 4, 1978, in Tottenham, London, to Nigerian parents. Raised on a steady diet of R&B and soul music, Lemar and his older brother would often put on home shows for their parents, impersonating The Jacksons. His musical icons included Marvin Gaye, Al Green, and the "King of Pop," Michael Jackson.

Later on, R&B giants such as R.Kelly, Jodeci, and Stevie Wonder would profoundly influence his musical journey. Additionally, Ken Kesey's "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" left an indelible mark on the young soul bassist, becoming his favorite literary work. His favorite cinematic escape was Brian De Palma's "Scarface," starring Al Pacino. In his childhood, Lemar was an avid viewer of the British soap opera "EastEnders."

Musical Beginnings

Lemar's breakout moment came at the tender age of eighteen at JuniorJam in Temple, Tottenham. The rising star performed as the opening act for the legendary Usher Raymond. Tasting the allure of fame, Lemar abandoned his pharmaceutical aspirations and embarked on a serious musical career.

After warming up for Destiny's Child, industry executives recognized Lemar's potential as a purveyor of British R&B and signed him to a record deal. His first single, "Got Me Saying Ooh," unfortunately, failed to break into the UK Top 75. Amidst a label restructuring, Lemar briefly ventured into the corporate world as a NatWest Bank Customer Service Manager.

Fame Academy and Sony Music

Undeterred by setbacks, Lemar set his sights on Fame Academy (the UK equivalent of American Idol) in 2002. His mesmerizing rendition of Al Green's "Let's Stay Together" and his duet of Lionel Richie's "Easy Like Sunday Morning" with Richie himself turned heads.

Beverly Knight, moved by his talent, invited Lemar to share the stage at her Hammersmith Apollo concert. Impressed by the singer's prodigious abilities, Sony Music inked a five-album deal with him, worth a cool million US dollars.

Commercial Success

Lemar's second single, "Dance With U," stormed the UK Singles Chart in early 2003, peaking at number two. His debut solo album, "Dedicated," followed later that year. In 2004, Lemar was honored with a Brit Award for Best Urban Act.

Riding the wave of success, he embarked on his first solo tour, participated in Party in the Park in Birmingham, and contributed to the Band Aid 20 Christmas single organized by Prince Charles's Trust.

Continued Acclaim

Lemar released his second album, "Time to Grow," in 2005, featuring the hit single "If There's Any Justice." A second Brit Award for Best Urban Act followed in February 2006. After a brief hiatus, he returned with his eighth single, "It's Not That Easy," in September 2006. A week later, his sophomore album, "The Truth About Love," featuring collaborations with Styles P, Mica Paris, and Joss Stone, hit the shelves. The album became Lemar's highest-charting release, reaching number three on the UK Album Chart, surpassing "Time to Grow" (number eight) and "Dedicated" (number sixteen).

Musical Style

Lemar's soulful crooning evokes the golden era of soul music. His heartfelt lyrics explore the universal theme of love. He shuns the modern trickery of sound engineering, opting instead for an organic authenticity that reflects his true self. It is this raw connection that draws listeners to his music.