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Lisa Maffia
Background information
Born	October 1, 1979 (1979-10-01) (age 29)
Origin	London, United Kingdom
Genre(s)	R&B, hip hop, UK garage, electro house
Occupation(s)	Musician
Years active	2003–present
Label(s)	Independiente (2001–2003) Maffia Recordz (2004–present) Apollo/Universal (2007–present)
Associated acts	So Solid Crew, North Star, MC Romeo

Lisa Maffia (born 1 October 1979, South London) is an English singer-songwriter, model, musician and presenter, who originally came to the public's attention as the main female member of So Solid Crew. Whilst in So Solid, the singer notched up 5 top 20 hits, including a platinum selling single "21 Seconds" and a platinum selling album They Don't Know. She was born to an Italian mother and a black father. (a similar ethnic background to Alicia Keys)

Biography

Early life and career debut

Lisa Maffia was born and raised in Brixton, London. Her mother is Shirley Maffia and her father is unknown. Lisa is trained in Latino ballroom, tap and modern dancing and practised gymnastics as a child. She went to Norwood School in West Norwood and then went on to Brixton College to do a diploma in Photography and Art & Design. In 2000 Lisa Maffia got her career debut when she added her vocals to So Solid Crew track Oh No.

2001-2002: They Don't Know

On August 6th 2001, whilst with So Solid Crew, Lisa released 21 Seconds. It reached number one in the official UK Singles Chart in August 2001. The single also won Best British Video at the 2002 BRIT Awards. With the success of 21 Seconds, the crew went on to release their debut album They Dont Know which ending up going platinum.

2003-2004: First Lady

On 21st April 2003, departing from the So Solid Crew, Lisa made her debut at number 2 with the hip hop, ragga styled All Over ¹. It spent 3 weeks in the top 10. Lisa then released the rnb Spanish styled In Love which reached number 13. With Lisa doing so well this led to the singer releasing her debut solo album First Lady. The album reached number 44, although the album failed to chart well, the album still sold a total of 97,000 copies.

2005-2006: The Games and Maffia Recordz

Taking a break from music, Lisa took part in the Channel 4 reality tv show The Games. Lisa earned a silver medal behind Kirsty Gallacher. After The Games, Lisa set up her own independent record label Maffia Recordz in which she released her underground single Shake 4 Daddy and signed acts such as North Star and Mc Romeo. The label also signed the soundtrack to the film Rollin With The Nines.

2007-Present: Celeb Air and New album

In May 2007, Maffia announced on her official Myspace that she has been recording her upcoming album at the Murlyn Studios, known to have penned songs for Christina Milian, Madonna, Kylie Minogue and others. On 10 September, Maffia released her single "Bad Girl At Night", whilst the single reached 36 and number 4 in the overall dance charts, the single had massive success over Europe leading to Maffia doing a European tour . In November 2007, Lisa said she will continue the genre on her up and coming album which may see the release of a double cd filled with Electro House and Dirty Pop. The album is expected to be released early 2009² On 20 August 2008 it was announced Maffia would participate in ITV2's CelebAir where cameras will follow Maffia and other celebrities as they work as air hostesses. Maffia won ITV2's CelebAir on 23rd October 2008. On 17th November 2008, it was announced by Lisa Maffia herself that she will finally release her second sophomore album in February 2009 ³

Awards

2001

• Mobo Awards
  • Best UK Garage Act With So Solid Crew Winner ⁴
  • Best UK Newcomer With So Solid Crew Winner ⁴
  • Best UK Act With So Solid Crew Nominated⁵

2002

• Brit Awards
  • Best British Video (With So Solid Crew) 21 Seconds Winner
  • Best British Newcomer (With So Solid Crew) Nominated
  • Best British Single (With So Solid Crew) Nominated

• Mobo Awards
  • Best UK Garage Act (With So Solid Crew) Nominated

2003

• Mobo Awards
  • Best UK Garage Act Winner
  • Best UK Act Nominated
  • Best UK Newcomer Nominated

Tours

Blue's & Soul/First Lady Tour

The First Lady Tour (also known as the Blues & Soul Tour) was a series of short concert-like promotional appearances at University and club-type venues by Lisa Maffia that took place from April to July 2003 ⁶

• 15/04/03 – Brentwood, Sam’s

• 16/04/03 - Bognor Regis, Butlins

• 17/04/03 – Watford, Destiny

• 18/04/03 – Ashford, M20

• 19/04/03 – Southsea, Bar Bluu

• 20/04/03 – Basildon, Ikon & Diva

• 20/04/03 – London, Turnmills

• 21/04/03 – Preston, Tokyo Jo’s

• 23/04/03 - Bognor Regis, Butlins

• 23/04/03 – London, Bagley’s

• 25/04/03 – Croydon, Blue Orchid

• 25/04/03 – Uxbridge, Discothèque Royale

• 26/04/03 – Huddersfield, Club Non

• 27/04/03 – Bognor Regis, Butlins

• 02/05/03 - Hull University (Blues & Soul Tour)

• 03/05/03 - Loughborough University, Students Union (With Asher D)

• 04/05/03 – Windsor, Liquid

• 05/05/03 - Nottingham University, Hugh Stewart Hall (Blues & Soul Tour)

• 06/05/03 - Leeds University, Lotherton Hall (Blues & Soul Tour)

• 08/05/03 - Bournemouth University, The Old Fire Station (Blues & Soul Tour)

• 10/05/03 - Essex University, Square 3 (Blues & Soul Tour)

• 13/05/03 - Reading University, Whiteknights (Blues & Soul Tour)

• 14/05/03 - University Of Surrey, Union House, Guildford (Blues & Soul Tour)

• 15/05/03 - Keele University (Blues & Soul Tour)

• 16/05/03 - University of Central Lancs, Preston (Blues & Soul Tour)

• 24/05/03 – Bristol, The Station

• 25/05/03 – Cardiff, Creation

• 30/05/03 – Colchester, Kings

• 12/06/03 – Leeds, Rehab

• 20/06/03 – Canterbury, Christchurch University

• 13/07/03 – Clapham London, Inferno

Television

Maffia has appeared/performed on a number of different television shows including Top Of The Pops, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, CD:UK, Popworld and appeared in series three of The Games. She won 2008's series of Celeb Air

Modelling

Maffia has said in many interviews recently that she will be launching her first official calendar later on this year. She has quoted that the calendar is set around many different settings including in studio and Ibiza, and has been working with up and coming photographers. Maffia is also not a stranger to magazine polls. She ranked #91 (2002) in FHM 's 100 Sexiest Women, She ranked #77 (2002) in Loaded 's Hot 100 Babes. In September 2007, Maffia was voted number 33 in the top 50 sexiest brunettes poll in Nuts magazine.

Discography

Singles

Albums

• First Lady

UK #44 Released:August 2003

• Miss Boss

UK #?? Released:February 2009

References

External links

• Official Lisa Maffia Myspace
• Official Lisa Maffia Site
• Official Lisa Maffia fansite
• Phoenix FM radio interview with Lisa Maffia 25-10-2007