Lemar

Biography

Lemar Izubundu Nnagdziem Obika (born 4 April 1978), known mononymously as Lemar, is an English singer, songwriter and record producer who rose to prominence in the early 2000s following his appearance on the BBC talent competition Fame Academy. After finishing third on the programme's first series in 2002, he signed a recording contract with Sony BMG.
Lemar released his debut studio album, Dedicated×Dedicated24 November 2003 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1Dedicated (Intro)1:082Dance (With U)3:083Fresh3:25450/503:245Another Day4:026Sweet Love3:357No Pressure3:388Body Talk3:209What About Love?3:3910Good Woman3:4711Let's Stay Together3:4812Hot Summer3:2513Alright With Our Love4:2014Lullaby3:2215All I Ever Do (My Boo)3:20, in 2003. The album produced the UK top 10 singles "Dance (With U)×Dance (With U)18 August 2003 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Dance (With U) (radio edit)3:112Dance (With U) (Blacksmith R&B Rub)4:393Dance (With U) (JD aka Dready remix)4:20", "50/50" and "Another Day×Another Day2003 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Another Day2I Believe in a Thing Called Love3I Need a Girl", and was certified double platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). His second album, Time to Grow×Time to Grow29 November 2004 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Soulman3:192Better Than This3:223I Don't Mind That3:354What If?4:285Call Me Daddy3:216If There's Any Justice3:497Don't Give It Up3:438Time to Grow3:439Complicated Cupid3:3710Maybe Just Maybe3:3611Feels Right4:1012All I Ever Do / My Boo (Part II)4:12 (2004), also achieved double platinum certification and included the single "If There's Any Justice", which peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart.
His success coincided with a wider resurgence of British contemporary soul and R&B artists during the 2000s. Over the course of his career, Lemar has released seven UK top 10 singles and ten UK top 20 singles, and has sold more than two million albums in the United Kingdom. He has won two Brit Awards and three MOBO Awards.
Later albums include The Truth About Love×The Truth About Love11 September 2006 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Intro0:262Love Me or Leave Me3:233It's Not That Easy3:254Someone Should Tell You3:445Be Faithful3:326Tick Tock3:317Just Can't Live Without Each Other's Love4:088Can't You See3:059When a Heart Is Broken4:0710Caroline2:2711Let's Fall in Love (interlude)0:4712Anniversary4:0913Beauty Queen3:4014Your Face3:25 (2006), The Reason×The Reason24 November 2008 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1The Reason3:312Weight of the World4:193Heartbreaker3:574If She Knew4:075Trust Me4:176Over You3:477Mayday3:358Wait Forever3:319Not What You Say3:1610Black Tide3:36 (2008), Invincible×Invincible5 October 2012 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1The First Time3:552Invincible3:163Keep On Luvin'3:354Beautiful2:475Hurricane3:306Merry Go Round4:377Can't Let Go3:058Into the Night Sky2:579The One Who Saves You3:1210Very Best3:3411Born to Love4:11 (2012), The Letter (2015) and Page in My Heart (2023), the latter of which was released independently through Angelic Media and Absolute Label Services.
Outside music, Lemar has appeared in television and theatre productions including Dancing on Ice, The Masked Singer, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story and the West End production of Sister Act. He has remained active as a recording and touring artist for more than two decades.

Early life

Lemar Obika was born in Tottenham, North London, England, to Nigerian parents. He grew up in North London listening to R&B and soul music, and has cited artists including Michael Jackson and the Jacksons among his early musical influences.
As a teenager, Lemar performed at local music events and club nights in London. He later supported artists including American groups Destiny's Child and Total during UK club tour appearances. Before pursuing music full time, he worked on graphic and web design projects and was offered a place to study pharmacy at Cardiff University, which he declined in order to focus on a music career.
Lemar signed an early recording contract with BMG and released the single "Got Me Saying Ooh×Got Me Saying Ooh1 October 2001 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Got Me Saying Ooh (radio edit)2Got Me Saying Ooh (BKS remix)3Got Me Saying Ooh (Point 4 club mix)4Got Me Saying Ooh (Matt 'Jam' Lamont Plastic club mix)". However, the deal ended following restructuring at the label less than a year later. Following the collapse of the deal, he worked as an accounts manager for NatWest in Enfield, North London, while continuing to pursue opportunities in music.
In interviews, Lemar has spoken about the impact of his mother's death from cancer when he was in his early twenties, describing the experience as influential in shaping his songwriting and musical outlook.

2002–2003: Fame Academy and breakthrough

Lemar first came to public attention in 2002 as a contestant on the first series of the BBC talent competition Fame Academy. During the programme, he performed songs including "Let's Stay Together" by Al Green and "Easy" with Lionel Richie. He finished in third place behind winner David Sneddon.
Following the series, Lemar was invited by singer Beverley Knight to perform with her at the Hammersmith Apollo. He later signed a recording contract with Sony BMG.
In 2003, Lemar released the single "Dance (With U)×Dance (With U)18 August 2003 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Dance (With U) (radio edit)3:112Dance (With U) (Blacksmith R&B Rub)4:393Dance (With U) (JD aka Dready remix)4:20", which reached number two on the UK Singles Chart. His debut studio album, Dedicated×Dedicated24 November 2003 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1Dedicated (Intro)1:082Dance (With U)3:083Fresh3:25450/503:245Another Day4:026Sweet Love3:357No Pressure3:388Body Talk3:209What About Love?3:3910Good Woman3:4711Let's Stay Together3:4812Hot Summer3:2513Alright With Our Love4:2014Lullaby3:2215All I Ever Do (My Boo)3:20, was released later that year and included the singles "50/50" and "Another Day×Another Day2003 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Another Day2I Believe in a Thing Called Love3I Need a Girl". The album was later certified double platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).
Following the album's release, Lemar embarked on his first UK headline tour and later supported Justin Timberlake on selected UK tour dates.

2004–2005: Time to Grow

In November 2004, Lemar released "If There's Any Justice", the lead single from his second studio album, Time to Grow×Time to Grow29 November 2004 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Soulman3:192Better Than This3:223I Don't Mind That3:354What If?4:285Call Me Daddy3:216If There's Any Justice3:497Don't Give It Up3:438Time to Grow3:439Complicated Cupid3:3710Maybe Just Maybe3:3611Feels Right4:1012All I Ever Do / My Boo (Part II)4:12. The single reached number three on the UK Singles Chart and became one of his most commercially successful releases.
Time to Grow was released later that month and peaked at number eight on the UK Albums Chart. The album was certified double platinum by the BPI. Additional singles released from the album included "Time to Grow" and "Don't Give It Up".
During this period, Lemar appeared on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge, performing a cover of U2's "Vertigo". He also contributed to Band Aid 20's charity single "Do They Know It's Christmas?".

2006–2011: The Truth About Love, The Reason and The Hits

Lemar released his third studio album, The Truth About Love×The Truth About Love11 September 2006 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Intro0:262Love Me or Leave Me3:233It's Not That Easy3:254Someone Should Tell You3:445Be Faithful3:326Tick Tock3:317Just Can't Live Without Each Other's Love4:088Can't You See3:059When a Heart Is Broken4:0710Caroline2:2711Let's Fall in Love (interlude)0:4712Anniversary4:0913Beauty Queen3:4014Your Face3:25, in September 2006. The album included guest appearances from Styles P, Mica Paris and Joss Stone, and peaked at number three on the UK Albums Chart.
The album's lead single, "It's Not That Easy×It's Not That Easy4 September 2006 · Single · LiveSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1It’s Not That Easy (live version)2:44", became his sixth UK top 10 single. Further singles included "Someone Should Tell You×Someone Should Tell You2006 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Someone Should Tell You3:432Someone Should Tell You (Kardinal Beats remix)4:033If There's Any Justice (live)4:334All I Ever Do (My Boo) (live)5:48" and "Tick Tock×Tick Tock19 March 2007 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Tick Tock (Kardinal Beats Retro remix)3:472Tick Tock (Future cut remix)3:173Tick Tock (Johnny Douglas remix)3:254Tick Tock (album version)3:29". In 2007, Lemar featured on Sway DaSafo's single "Saturday Night Hustle" from the album The Signature LP.
His fourth studio album, The Reason×The Reason24 November 2008 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1The Reason3:312Weight of the World4:193Heartbreaker3:574If She Knew4:075Trust Me4:176Over You3:477Mayday3:358Wait Forever3:319Not What You Say3:1610Black Tide3:36, was released in 2008. The album included the singles "If She Knew×If She Knew10 November 2008 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1If She Knew4:082Fall Over4:06" and "Weight of the World×Weight of the WorldSingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Weight of the World - radio edit3:332Weight of the World - Kardinal Beats remix3:573Weight of the World - Ripper remix5:424Weight of the World - Monk and Prof Mix Remix3:37".
In 2010, Lemar released the single "The Way Love Goes×The Way Love GoesSingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1The Way Love Goes3:322You Got Me3:03", followed by his first compilation album, The Hits×The Hits8 March 2010 · Album · CompilationSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1Dance (With U)3:10250/503:253Another Day4:044Lullaby3:225If There's Any Justice3:476Time to Grow3:457Its Not That Easy3:238Someone Should Tell You3:449If She Knew4:0910Weight of the World4:1711Mayday3:3412The Way Love Goes3:3313You Don't Love Me3:3914Coming Home3:4415What About Love (feat. JLS)3:40. The album included a re-recorded version of "What About Love" featuring JLS. Lemar and JLS later performed the song together for Sport Relief.
During this period, Lemar also toured with Mary J. Blige and later appeared as a guest performer on UK dates of Enrique Iglesias' arena tour.

2012–2022: Invincible, The Letter and television appearances

Lemar released the single "Invincible×Invincible5 October 2012 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1The First Time3:552Invincible3:163Keep On Luvin'3:354Beautiful2:475Hurricane3:306Merry Go Round4:377Can't Let Go3:058Into the Night Sky2:579The One Who Saves You3:1210Very Best3:3411Born to Love4:11" in 2012. The track later appeared on his fifth studio album, Invincible.
In 2015, he released the album The Letter×The Letter9 October 2015 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Higher Love3:192The Letter3:303Love Song4:184Gimme Some Lovin'4:085Bring It on Home to Me3:506Love Turned Hate3:137Tainted Love2:548Love and Happiness4:579Crazy Love3:1910Someday We'll Be Together4:1611Never Be Another You3:3812River4:04, which included a duet with Joss Stone and a cover version of "Someday We'll Be Together".
In 2018, Lemar competed in the tenth series of Dancing on Ice, partnered with professional skater Melody Le Moal. He was eliminated during the fifth week of the competition.

2023–present: Page in My Heart, broadcasting and theatre

On 7 February 2023, Lemar released the single "Future Love", which preceded his seventh studio album, Page in My Heart×Page In My Heart24 March 2023 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube MusicTracklist · 10 tracks1Page In My Heart2:312Glorious!3:363Future Love3:314Dust3:235Take Care3:426Free Your Mind3:247Turn My Love2:428I Been3:209The Weekend3:4510Where Do We Get Off?3:55, released on 24 March 2023. A radio mix of "Dust" was later released as a single.
In 2023, Lemar appeared as Lord Smythe-Smith in episode five of the Netflix series Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.
In 2024, he competed as "Cricket" on the fifth series of The Masked Singer, finishing in third place.
Later that year, Lemar appeared in the West End revival of Sister Act, playing Curtis Jackson alongside Beverley Knight.
In 2024, Lemar also joined JLS as a guest act on selected dates of their UK summer tour.
Alongside his music career, Lemar has worked in radio broadcasting with Magic Radio and Magic Soul, presenting weekend programmes including Lemar's Soul Sunday.
In 2025, Lemar joined Craig David as the special guest on David's UK arena Commitment Tour, performing at venues including The O2 Arena in London.
Later in 2025, Lemar featured alongside Omar and the House Gospel Choir on Donae'O's single "Nights Like This".

Personal life

Lemar is married to dancer and choreographer Charmaine Powell. The couple have been together since 1999 and married in 2010. They have two children.
Lemar has spoken in interviews about the influence of family life and fatherhood on his personal life and songwriting career.
Lemar has supported a number of charitable causes and has been associated with The Prince's Trust, later renamed The King's Trust. In 2004, he attended a Prince's Trust reception hosted by the then Prince of Wales at St James's Palace recognising celebrity ambassadors and young people supported by the organisation.
He is a supporter of Tottenham Hotspur F.C., having grown up in Tottenham, North London.
His cousin Jonathan Obika is a former professional footballer who later became a first-team coach at Motherwell F.C.. Another cousin, Sam Oji, was a professional footballer who played for clubs including Birmingham City before later working in coaching and non-league football prior to his death in 2021.