View source for Lemar

{{Distinguish|Kendrick Lamar}}
{{for multi|the given name|Lemar (given name)|the surname|Lemar (surname)|the TV channel|Lemar (TV channel)}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Lemar
| image  = Lemar.jpg
| caption = Lemar performing in 2008
| background = solo_singer
| birth_name = Lemar Obika
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1978|4|4}} 
| birth_place = [[Tottenham]], [[North London]], England
| genre = {{hlist|[[British soul]]|[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]|[[neo soul]]}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|record producer}}
| instrument = {{hlist|Vocals|piano|guitar|keyboards}}
| years_active = 2001–present
| associated_acts = {{hlist|[[Beverley Knight]]|[[Joss Stone]]|[[Styles P]]|[[Mica Paris]]|[[Lionel Richie]]|[[Mary J. Blige]]|[[JLS (band)|JLS]]|[[Jamelia]]|[[Fightstar]]|[[Usher (singer)|Usher]]|[[Destiny's Child]]|[[Total (group)|Total]]}}
| label = [[Sony BMG]]
| website = {{URL|lemar-online.com}}
}}

'''Lemar Obika''' (born 4 April 1978), known mononymously as '''Lemar''', is an English singer, songwriter and record producer. Initially rising to fame after finishing third on the [[Fame Academy (series 1)|first series]] of British talent show ''[[Fame Academy]]'', he was later signed to [[Sony BMG]], where he has gone on to release five studio albums, three of which are certified [[platinum certification|platinum]] or double platinum by the [[British Phonographic Industry]] (BPI).

Lemar's double-platinum debut album ''[[Dedicated (Lemar album)|Dedicated]]'' was released in November 2003 and contained the successful singles "[[Dance (With U)]]", "[[50/50 & Lullaby|50/50]]" and "[[Another Day (Lemar song)|Another Day]]", all of which charted in the top 10 of the [[UK Singles Chart]]. His second effort, ''[[Time to Grow]]'', saw similar success, again achieving double platinum certification and spawning his most successful single, "[[If There's Any Justice]]", which peaked at number 3 and spent four months on the [[UK Singles Chart]]. Lemar has seen considerable chart success in the [[UK Singles Chart|UK]] and [[Irish Singles Chart|Ireland]], releasing ten top 20 singles, seven of which peaked in the top 10, and has sold over two million albums.

==Early life==
Lemar Obika was born in [[Tottenham]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Cordor |first=Cyril |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/lemar-mn0000865729 |title=Lemar - Music Biography, Credits and Discography |publisher=[[AllMusic]]|date=1978-04-04 |access-date=2012-12-15}}</ref> [[North London]], England, to Nigerian parents. He grew up listening to [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] and [[soul music]]. He used to sing at home with his siblings, pretending to be [[Michael Jackson]] and [[the Jackson 5|the Jacksons]].
He was 17 when he had his first concert at the Junior Jam at 'The Temple' in Tottenham supporting American singer [[Usher (entertainer)|Usher]].{{Citation needed|date=March 2011}} At the time, he was designing a website to sell logos for the [[Ericsson]] PH337 phone.<ref name=":0">Prince's Trust trading Ltd. (2009). Inspired* by music. London: Shoehorn Arts & Culture Books. pp. 94-97. {{ISBN|978-190714901-6}}.</ref> 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 American [[girl group]]s [[Destiny's Child]] and [[Total (band)|Total]] 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]]". His record deal with BMG fell through in less than a year due to restructuring at the record label.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4183508.stm|title=Lemar: From Fame Academy to fame|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=25 August 2005|access-date=2011-03-09}}</ref> He had to eventually take a job working as an accounts manager at [[NatWest]] in [[London Borough of Enfield|Enfield]], North London. At age 24, his mother died of cancer and he found listening to [[Eric Clapton]]'s "[[Tears in Heaven]]" brought "clarity" and aims to "write songs as moving as this".<ref name=":0" />

==Career==
{{Main|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 a reality television show. He made the finals of the show winning plaudits for his version of "[[Let's Stay Together (Al Green song)|Let's Stay Together]]" by [[Al Green]] and singing a duet with [[Lionel Richie]] on "[[Easy (The Commodores song)|Easy]]". While he ended up finishing third in the show, which was won by [[David Sneddon]], he caught the eye of fellow [[British people|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]]).<ref name="lemar-online.com">{{cite web|author=RETROFUZZ |url=http://www.lemar-online.com |title=Website Coming Soon! &#124; Lemar |publisher=Lemar-online.com |access-date=2012-01-02}}</ref>

Lemar's second single "[[Dance (with U)]]" reached number two on the UK Singles Chart in early 2003. His first album ''[[Dedicated (Lemar album)|Dedicated]]'' was released late in 2003 with additional singles "[[50/50 / Lullaby|50/50]]" and "[[Another Day (Lemar song)|Another Day]]" also achieving chart success in the UK.<ref name="lemar-online.com"/> 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.<ref name="lemar-online.com"/> Thus, he is considered the "most successful graduate.<ref name=":0" />

On 12 November 2004 Lemar guested on [[BBC Radio 1|Radio 1]]'s [[Live Lounge]] and performed a cover of [[U2]]'s song "[[Vertigo (U2 song)|Vertigo]]". He has also performed for [[Charles, Prince of Wales|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.<ref name="lemar-online.com"/> ''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 2× Platinum by the BPI.<ref name="lemar-online.com"/> Two other singles were released from the album, "[[Time to Grow (song)|Time to Grow]]" and "[[Don't Give It Up (Lemar song)|Don't Give It Up]]".<ref name="lemar-online.com"/>

He is also one of the artists included on [[Band Aid 20]]'s single "[[Do They Know It's Christmas?]]".<ref name="lemar-online.com"/>

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 (Lemar 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 album)|Dedicated]]'' (number sixteen). Two more singles were released from the album, "[[Someone Should Tell You]]" and [[Tick Tock (Lemar song)|"Tick Tock"]].<ref name="lemar-online.com"/> At the Brit Awards in 2007, Lemar was hoping to arrive in a makeshift limo, with [[James May]] from the [[BBC]]'s ''[[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|Top Gear]]'' as the driver. Lemar ultimately got frustrated with May and got out of the car after May repeatedly got lost. He featured on [[Sway DaSafo|Sway]]'s first single "[[Saturday Night Hustle]]" from the album ''[[The Signature LP]]''.<ref name="lemar-online.com"/>

Lemar's fourth studio album, ''[[The Reason (Lemar 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 2009, Lemar released his second single from the album, "[[Weight of the World (Lemar song)|Weight of the World]]", the song peaked at number 31 on the UK Singles Chart.<ref name="lemar-online.com"/> He performed both singles on ''[[GMTV (TV series)|GMTV]]''.<ref name="lemar-online.com"/>

Lemar performed his new single "[[The Way Love Goes (Lemar song)|The Way Love Goes]]" on the BBC1 show ''[[So You Think You Can Dance (UK)|So You Think You Can Dance]]'' on 9 January 2010.<ref name="lemar-online.com"/> He also performed the single on ''GMTV'' in February.<ref name="lemar-online.com"/> The single was released on Valentine's Day and peaked at number eight on the UK Singles Chart.<ref name="lemar-online.com"/> On 8 March, the single was followed by his much anticipated album, ''[[The Hits (Lemar album)|The Hits]]''.<ref name="lemar-online.com"/> Which - as well as including 10 hit singles from his four studio albums - also features four new tracks. In addition to "[[The Way Love Goes (Lemar song)|The Way Love Goes]]", these include a duet with [[JLS]] on a re-recording of Lemar's own 2003 ballad "What About Love".<ref>[http://www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/512/lemar_cometh_the_hour/ Lemar: Cometh the hour...] Pete Lewis, ''Blues & Soul'', March 2010</ref> On 19 March, Lemar and JLS performed the song together on Sport Relief.<ref name="lemar-online.com"/>

On 11 March 2010, Lemar's album ''[[The Hits (Lemar 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.<ref name="lemar-online.com"/> Toward the end of March 2010, Lemar performed a [[BBC Radio 1|Radio 1]]'s [[Live Lounge]] version of "[[Empire State of Mind]]".<ref name="lemar-online.com"/> He also recorded cover versions of Beyoncé's "[[Sweet Dreams (Beyoncé Knowles song)|Sweet Dreams]]" and Alicia Key's "[[Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart]]".<ref name="lemar-online.com"/>

Lemar appeared as a special guest on the UK Dates of [[Mary J. Blige]]'s [[World Tour (Mary J. Blige)|World Tour]]. His confirmed dates were at Birmingham's [[LG Arena (Birmingham)|LG Arena]], London's [[The O2 Arena (London)|O2 Arena]] and Manchester's [[MEN Arena]]. The first date, in London, was on 2 November 2010.<ref name="lemar-online.com"/> It was also announced that Lemar would be the special guest on the UK dates of [[Enrique Iglesias]]' tour in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a281828/enrique-iglesias-announces-uk-tour.html |title=Enrique Iglesias announces UK tour - Music News |publisher=Digital Spy |date=13 October 2010 |access-date=2012-01-02}}</ref>

Lemar returned with his single "Invincible", which he performed for the first time at Stoke 2012 Live. The release date for the single was 12 August, and will be the first single to be taken from the as yet untitled fifth studio album this year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stoke2012live.co.uk/lemar/ |title=Lemar |publisher=Stoke 2012 Live |access-date=2012-12-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217075036/http://stoke2012live.co.uk/lemar/ |archive-date=17 December 2013}}</ref> on 21 June Lemar leaked the single via his official website, speaking to [[Digital Spy]] about the single he commented saying "Sticking together is what makes you invincible. When times are hard, it's important to stick together and know what your values are."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a388770/lemar-debuts-new-single-invincible-listen.html/ |title=Lemar debuts new single 'Invincible' - listen - Music News |publisher=Digital Spy |date=2012-06-21 |access-date=2012-12-15}}</ref>

On his site The Re-View, Nick Bassett praises "Invincible" for its "narrative journey which showcases Lemar’s songwriting talents as well as his impressive vocal."<ref>{{cite web|title=Lemar: Invincible (New Single)|url=http://there-view.tumblr.com/post/25581599530/lemar-debuts-new-single-invincible|publisher=There-view.tumblr.com|access-date=2012-12-15|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121130090214/http://there-view.tumblr.com/post/25581599530/lemar-debuts-new-single-invincible|archive-date=30 November 2012}}</ref>

Lemar returned again in 2015 with his single "The Letter", which got its first airplay on BBC Radio 2's breakfast show with Chris Evans. ''The Letter'' was also the title of his latest album. The album featured a duet with Joss Stone, a cover of "Someday We'll Be Together", made famous by [[Diana Ross]] & [[the Supremes]].

In 2018, Lemar was a contestant on the [[Dancing on Ice (series 10)|tenth series]] of ''[[Dancing on Ice]]'', replacing [[Monty Panesar]]; his ice skating partner was [[Melody Le Moal]]. Lemar survived three skate offs, beating [[Candice Brown]], [[Stephanie Waring]] and [[Perri Shakes-Drayton]]. On 11 February, he was voted off after ending up in the skate off for a fourth time with [[Donna Air]].

On 7 February 2023, Lemar released the single "Future Love", which he wrote and produced by himself.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/track/5L3mBkaHu5FdQeaWPl5FZ2?si=77dabfa12819498f|title=Lemar - Future Love|website=Spotify|date=7 February 2023|access-date=7 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2023/02/07/lemar-returns-after-11-years-with-funky-new-single-future-love-18240429/|title=Lemar returns after 11 years with funky new single Future Love and it's a banger|website=Metro|last=Adejobi|first=Alicia|date=7 February 2023|access-date=7 April 2023}}</ref> The single preceded Lemar's seventh studio album, ''Page in My Heart'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2023/03/22/fame-academy-grad-lemar-on-his-tour-and-new-album-page-in-my-heart-18485023/|title=Lemar on the evolving nature of TV talent shows: 'Back in the day you wanted the mystery. Now it's more the guy next door'|website=Metro|last=Simper|first=Paul|date=22 March 2023|access-date=7 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://tbhonest.co.uk/2023/02/13/lemar-announces-page-in-my-heart-his-first-new-album-in-over-8-years/|title=LEMAR ANNOUNCES 'PAGE IN MY HEART, HIS FIRST NEW ALBUM IN OVER 8 YEARS|website=TBHonest|last=McFarland|first=Kelly|date=13 February 2023|access-date=7 April 2023}}</ref> which was released on 24 March 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/page-in-my-heart/1664278407|title=Lemar - Page In My Heart|website=Apple Music|date=24 March 2023|access-date=7 April 2023}}</ref> A radio mix of "Dust" was released as the album's second single on 28 April 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Lemar/status/1651134450770616320?s=20|title=This Friday! DUST Radio Mix will be yours|website=Twitter|date=26 April 2023|access-date=2 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/dust-radio-mix-single/1680978147|title=Lemar - Dust (Radio Mix)|website=Apple Music|date=28 April 2023|access-date=2 May 2023}}</ref>

Lemar appears as Lord Smythe-Smith in episode 5 of the 2023 [[Netflix]] series ';[[Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story]]'' (2023).

He participated as "Cricket" on the [[The Masked Singer (British series 5)|fifth series]] of ''[[The Masked Singer (British TV series)|The Masked Singer]]'' and finished in third place.

In 2024, Lemar starred in London's West End revival of [[Sister Act (musical)]], playing the role of Curtis Jackson, alongside [[Beverley Knight]].

Lemar went on tour with [[JLS]] for their summer tour where they played in various outdoor venues.

== Filmography ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year
!Title
!Role
!Notes
|-
|2023
|''[[Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story]]''
|Lord Smythe-Smith
|Episode 5
|}

==Personal life==
Lemar is an ambassador for [[The Prince's Trust]].<ref name=":0" />

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 at London's private [[Portland Hospital]] to a girl. Lemar and Charmaine then had another child, a son. The couple married on 17 July 2010 at [[St Mary the Virgin, Monken Hadley]].{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}

Lemar is a fan of English football club [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/4160/extra-time/2015/10/22/16554912/famous-fan-lemar-tottenham|title=Famous Fan: Lemar, Tottenham &#124; Goal.com|website=Goal.com}}</ref> His cousin, [[Jonathan Obika]], is a footballer who plays for [[Motherwell F.C.|Motherwell]], and another cousin, [[Sam Oji]], played for [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Evans |first1=Gregg |title=Sam Oji hoping to be on song for Tamworth against Everton |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sam-oji-hoping-song-tamworth-7692 |access-date=28 August 2021 |work=Birmingham Mail |date=6 January 2012}}</ref>
 
As of May 2009, Lemar had an accumulated wealth of £4 million.<ref name=Times090531>
[http://timesbusiness.typepad.com/money_weblog/2009/05/the-20-richest-reality-tv-stars.html The 10 richest reality TV stars] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601083454/http://timesbusiness.typepad.com/money_weblog/2009/05/the-20-richest-reality-tv-stars.html |date= 1 June 2009 }} Times Online, 31 May 2009</ref>

==Discography==
{{Main|Lemar discography}}

* ''[[Dedicated (Lemar album)|Dedicated]]'' (2003)
* ''[[Time to Grow]]'' (2004)
* ''[[The Truth About Love (Lemar album)|The Truth About Love]]'' (2006)
* ''[[The Reason (Lemar album)|The Reason]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Invincible (Lemar album)|Invincible]]'' (2012)
* ''[[The Letter (Lemar album)|The Letter]]'' (2015)
* ''Page in My Heart'' (2023)

==Awards and nominations==
[[Brit Awards]]:
*  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]]:
*  Winner 2006 - Best UK Male
*  Winner 2005 - Best UK Male
*  Winner 2005 - Best Album - ''[[Time to Grow]]''
*  Nominee 2009 - Best R&B/Soul Act
*  Nominee 2007 - Best R&B Act
*  Nominee 2005 - Best Video - "[[If There's Any Justice]]"
*  Nominee 2005 - Best R&B Act
*  Nominee 2004 - UK Act of the Year
*  Nominee 2004 - Best R&B Act

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [https://hellorayo.co.uk/magic/shows/lemar-soul-summer-nights/ Lemar’s Soul Summer Nights on Magic Radio]
* [https://hellorayo.co.uk/magic-soul/shows/magic-soul-mornings-with-lemar/ Magic Soul Mornings with Lemar on Magic Soul]
* [http://www.lemar-online.com/ Lemar Online]
* [http://www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/367/lemar_graduating_with_honers/ Lemar interview by Pete Lewis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090323045003/http://www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/367/lemar_graduating_with_honers/ |date=23 March 2009 }} 'Blues & Soul' December 2008
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081211085608/http://www.mtv.co.uk/music/sessions/lemar Lemar Live MTV Session] MTV
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20131217075036/http://stoke2012live.co.uk/lemar/ Stoke2012live.co.uk]
* [http://lemar-rules.hyves.nl/ Hyves Lemar Fanpage]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160303174016/http://stjohnsparkmusicroom.multiply.com/video/item/36 Live on Channel V, Sydney]
* [http://www.scene-magazine.com/musicscene.php?musicId=206&pageId=6&issuedate=1 Lemar Online Interview] Scene Magazine
* [http://thetalentzone.co.uk/uk/lemar/livevids.html Lemar Interviews and Live Performances] The Talent Zone

{{Lemar}}
{{Brit Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act}}
{{Fame Academy}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lemar}}
[[Category:1978 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:21st-century Black British male singers]]
[[Category:21st-century British male singers]]
[[Category:Brit Award winners]]
[[Category:British contemporary R&B singers]]
[[Category:English male singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:English singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:English soul singers]]
[[Category:People from Tottenham]]
[[Category:English people of Nigerian descent]]
[[Category:BT Digital Music Awards winners]]
[[Category:Singers from the London Borough of Haringey]]