LEMAR
LEMAR is moving with the times. Evolving.
As the British singer/songwriter verges on celebrating more than a decade of success in the music business – having notched up a staggering seven Top 10 singles and over two million album sales under his belt – he is looking forward rather than back… and like many modern established artists, he’s thinking outside the box.
His brand new studio album will be released on October 8th 2012. This ushers Lemar into a new decade – 10 years after he first appeared on the UK music landscape via the TV show Fame Academy from which he went on to emerge as a pioneer, paving the way for many successful Pop/Soul & R’n’B artists which grace today’s charts.
Given that for the first time the multi-Brit and MOBO Award winner is releasing music to the beat of his own drum, the 34-year-old is surprisingly relaxed about how it will be received. “Because I’ve released quite a few records now, I’m past the stage where I think, ‘oh my God, what if they hate it when they hear it?’ and I’m more so at a place where I strongly feel that this is really good music,” he says confidently.
He is very enthusiastic about finally being able to deliver to the many fans he has amassed through his music and absorbing live shows which have seen him share the stage with everyone from Beyonce, Lionel Richie and Enrique Iglesias to Usher, Mary J Blige and Justin Timberlake over the years. “I wanted to make this album about the ‘why’ I want to do music, not ‘who’ I’m doing it for. I feel like the music is ready now. What it evolves into… who knows? But I’m not worried at all. It’s just coming from a good place and it feels right,” he asserts.
Having been one of the most successful British solo artists of the last decade, Lemar has also witnessed first-hand the fast moving changes it has endured, which he is keen to be able to take advantage of. “Its been ten years… I feel old!” he laughs. ” The way people listen to, buy and interact with music has changed phenomenally, especially with the internet, the way the fans can now interact with you, how people see music and what the value of music is now… the value of good live performances. It’s all been turned on its head. I think the scene’s changed for the better, in that the fans have more of a voice now. If they like something, they’ve got a big forum where they can express their opinion – everything is a live commentary,… which means its much harder to blag it. If it’s good, generally people will let you know that it’s good, in the same way that if it’s bad, they’ll let you know! I think that’s a positive thing. Fans can’t be force fed so easily. Quality is king”