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Johannesburg - 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 21 January.
The ball is one of several held by the US presidency to say thank you to both the supporters and funders of the presidential campaign.
Obama recently beat off Republican challenger Mitt Romney to secure a second term in the White House.
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.”
He added: “This is an amazing opportunity. The ball will be televised by networks from all over the world. The exposure is massive. How many people can say that they have performed live for an African-American US president?
“We are ecstatic about this. We have really worked hard at breaking into the US market and now it seems to be paying off at last.”
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 21 January.
The ball is one of several held by the US presidency to say thank you to both the supporters and funders of the presidential campaign.
Obama recently beat off Republican challenger Mitt Romney to secure a second term in the White House.
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.”
He added: “This is an amazing opportunity. The ball will be televised by networks from all over the world. The exposure is massive. How many people can say that they have performed live for an African-American US president?
“We are ecstatic about this. We have really worked hard at breaking into the US market and now it seems to be paying off at last.”
