Singer Lemar is celebrating his 20 years in the music industry, but the singer has abandoned the comforts of fame and lives alone with his family while battling tinnitus.
He’s the silky-voiced soul star who brought us hits like If There’s Any Justice and Dance (With U), and two decades on, Lemar Obika is still making waves – just a little more quietly these days.
Now celebrating 20 years in the music industry, the MOBO Award-winning singer and former Fame Academy finalist has proven that talent, tenacity and timeless style can outlast even the noisiest trends. From humble beginnings in Tottenham to chart stardom and a quietly content family life, Lemar has navigated the highs and lows of fame with a calm grace that’s rare in an era of oversharing and online chaos.
In a revealing and refreshingly grounded interview, the Page in My Heart singer opens up about a hidden struggle with tinnitus, the subtle shift that came with fatherhood, and the enduring love story behind his 15-year marriage. And yes, he’s still dreaming of that long-awaited duet with Alicia Keys.
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He claims that a song called Take Care appears on my most recent album, Page in My Heart. How closely connected it was with fans surprised me. It’s all about demonstrating that you can write or sing a good love song when you first start out. The songs have more meaning as you mature and your fans continue to grow with you as they enter relationships, divorce, have children, and even lose children.
Now 46, Lemar’s voice remains as smooth and stirring as ever, but his hearing tells a different story. A few years ago, he was diagnosed with tinnitus – a condition that causes a persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears. For a musician, it’s not just inconvenient – it’s life-altering.
He shares his experience with tinnitus: “It started about seven years ago.” “One night, around 2 AM, the house made a noise. My partner and I both declined to answer our request for comment. I eventually realized that my ears were the only source of the sound.
That moment of confusion marked the beginning of a new challenge. “I went to the doctor and found out there’s no real cure. You just have to accept you’ll never hear silence again and monitor loud noises. I went through a tough period emotionally. But who knows— technology may help in the future. AI can do anything these days, right?”
Lemar now follows a careful routine to manage his condition. I restrict loud sounds. To control the levels, I bring my own in-ear system to shows. Over time, the noise spikes that occur on stage and in the studio become more severe. Everything was loud in the studios at the time, which undoubtedly contributed.
Tinnitus influences his decisions even when he is not at work. My relationship to music may have changed as a result. I probably don’t listen to music as much anymore, especially after shows. I go through phases where I don’t listen to anything the day after my tinnitus becomes very loud.
He’s still eager to dispel the condition’s myths. That it is insurmountable, There is no known cure, so when I first learned about it, I was in a rush. How will this alter my life, I wondered? But I’ve evolved over time. I can control my particular tinnitus sound. Different people may experience different sounds, including buzzing and trains. However, I’ve come to accept that my life is different.
Lemar is passionate about ensuring that all venues, especially the younger ones, are safer while playing live music. Telling a teenager to turn down music doesn’t really work, especially with young people, which is difficult. However, the key is to raise awareness. Maybe festivals will require the distribution of earplugs, even the cheap sponge ones. Particularly for children, I’m always concerned about their hearing when I see young children at loud festivals.
Lemar and his wife Charmaine Powell, a former model and businesswoman, lead a quiet life offstage. The couple, who have two children, have been married since the beginning of the 2000s. He has maintained his family’s remarkably private order despite having lived in the public eye for more than 20 years, which has been a wise decision.
I think, honestly, that being so secretive has helped us survive. We stay afloat and away from the spotlight. That has helped us over time develop as a team.
His perspective has also been subtly altered by fatherhood. He describes his children as being more cerebral, athletic, and studious than I was. “I’m pleased with that,” the statement read.
And if they ever wanted to emulate him? Of course, I’d back them whole. However, talent doesn’t just come in handy; it also comes in handy and in many other things. I’d give them assistance, but I’d never let them in.
Reflecting on how the industry has changed since he first emerged in the early 2000s, Lemar says the rise of social media has reshaped everything. “Well, obviously, I think technology has played a big part in music and the way it’s been consumed over the last few years. I was there when Twitter and YouTube started. Now, social media platforms like Instagram are a huge part of how people engage with music. The way we write songs has changed a bit too—things are shorter, quicker. But I’m just grateful to still be in the mix and have people wanting to hear music from me.”
His advice to newcomers is straightforward but sincere. “Give it 200%. Maintain consistency. There is no overnight success. You’ll get through the difficult times if you love what you’re doing. That includes all industries, not just music.
Lemar credits his upbringing with shaping his approach to both music and life, having been raised in a Nigerian family in north London. “Massively. I was always surrounded by my mother’s very entrepreneurial spirit, which meant she would always do something. I believe I have a side from my father because he was calm and composed. I was shaped by that balance.
Lemar claims he has been fortunate to avoid the worst aspects of the industry’s darker side despite the well-known pitfalls of fame. “I’ve had a good time,” Around 22 or 23 or whatever, I first started, and I already had a small team with me. I still have that team around today. When things could have gone wrong, having trustworthy, grounded people around me was a big help. Everything starts with that foundation.
What will the man with the velvet voice do after 20 years of music?
“Yes, but I’m not yet able to talk about some of them. I’ve been a film and radio whiz. My show on Magic and a few other film projects, some of which are actually related to Bridgerton, are also on my radar. always developing fresh music.
One wish is still unfulfilled, though? Alicia Keys and Alicia Keys perform together. He exclaims, “I’ve always said that,” with a smile. John Legend, that would also be a great addition.
Lemar demonstrates that staying true to yourself is more important than following trends, from hit records to hearing struggles, from fame to fatherhood. And now is the perfect time to pick up the phone, if Alicia is reading.
Lemar was speaking on behalf of RNID – the national charity supporting 18 million adults who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus. To find out more, visit www.rnid.org.uk/protect-your-hearing
Source: Mirror
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