Lisa Maffia Biography

Summary

"Lisa Finch Maffia" (born 16 June 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". As a solo artist, she has released two top 10 singles and an award winning album including the gold selling single 'All Over'. She was born to an Italian mother and a black father.

Biography

Early life and career debut

Maffia was born and raised in Brixton, London. Her mother is Shirley Maffia and her father is unknown. She has a daughter, Chelsea, born when she was 17. She trained in Latino, ballroom, tap and modern dancing and practiced 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 Maffia got her career debut when she added her vocals to So Solid Crew track, 'Oh No'.

2001-2002: "They Don't Know"

On 6 August 2001, whilst with So Solid Crew, Maffia released '21 Seconds'. It reached number one in the 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 Don't Know" which ending up going platinum.

2003-2004: "First Lady"

On 21 April 2003, departing from the So Solid Crew, Maffia made her debut at number 2 with the hip hop, ragga styled 'All Over'.. It spent 3 weeks in the top 10. Lisa then released the R&B Spanish styled 'In Love' which reached number 13. 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, Maffia took part in the Channel 4 reality tv show The Games. She earned a silver medal behind Kirsty Gallacher. After The Games, Maffia 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".

2007-2008: "Celeb Air and recording for second 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 success over Europe leading to Maffia doing a European tour. 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 23 October 2008.

2009-Present: "New music and the return to So Solid Crew

On 17 November 2008, it was announced by Maffia that she will finally release her second sophomore album in October 2009 . Lisa also updated fans via her twitter, that she is recording every other week (during January 2009-August 2009) working with various producers including Roger Sanchez and Bloodshy & Avant and to expect a surprise U.S. star. . The first single is set to premier in September. Whilst 2009 sees the release of Maffia's new solo material, she also recorded 4 songs for the comeback album of So Solid Crew including their first single "Since You Went Away" the video of which was shot late June. The single is set to premier early August.

Awards

2001

"Mobo Awards"

*Best UK Garage Act With So Solid Crew "Winner"

*Best UK Newcomer With So Solid Crew "Winner"

*Best UK Act With So Solid Crew Nominated

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

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", "", "Popworld" and appeared in series three of "The Games". She also 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.