Lisa Maffia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lisa Maffia
Lisa Maffia performing in 2016
Background information
Birth name	Lisa Maffia
Born	(1979-06-16) 16 June 1979 (age 46)
Origin	London, England
Genres	R&B hip hop UK garage electro house
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter musician rapper model fashion designer presenter
Years active	1998–present
Labels	Independiente Epic Records Maffia Recordz Universal

Lisa Maffia (born 16 June 1979) is a British singer, rapper, and TV personality. She first became famous as the main female singer in the music group So Solid Crew. With the group, she had five top 20 hits, including the number one song "21 Seconds".

As a solo artist, Lisa has also been very successful. She released two top 10 singles, and her song "All Over" sold enough copies to be certified Platinum. She continues to release music and appear on television. Lisa was born in London to a mother of Italian heritage and a Jamaican father.

Life and Career

Early Life and Training

Lisa Maffia was born in Brixton, London. Her mother is of English and Italian descent, and her father is Jamaican. She is a second cousin of the actress Louisa Lytton. Lisa has a daughter named Chelsea, who was born when Lisa was 18.

As a child, Lisa was very active in the performing arts. She trained in many styles of dance, including Latin, ballroom, and tap. She also did gymnastics. After attending the Norwood School, she studied Photography and Art & Design at Brixton College.

Joining So Solid Crew

In 2000, Lisa's music career began when she sang on the So Solid Crew song "Oh No". The group quickly became popular in the UK garage music scene.

On 6 August 2001, So Solid Crew released the single "21 Seconds". The song was a huge hit and went straight to number one on the UK Singles Chart. It also won the award for Best British Video at the 2002 BRIT Awards. Following this success, the group's album, They Don't Know, also sold very well and went Platinum.

Solo Music Career

After her success with So Solid Crew, Lisa decided to start a solo career. On 21 April 2003, she released her first solo song, "All Over". It was very popular, reaching number 2 in the charts and staying in the top 10 for three weeks. Her next single, "In Love", reached number 13.

These singles led to her first solo album, First Lady. To promote the album, she performed as a supporting act for famous artists like Christina Aguilera, Ashanti, and Blue. The album reached number 44 on the UK Albums Chart. Lisa also performed her song "All Over" at the MOBO Awards.

Television and Record Label

Lisa took a break from music to appear on the reality TV show The Games on Channel 4. She competed in different sports and won a silver medal.

After the show, Lisa started her own record label called Maffia Recordz. She released her own music on the label and also signed other artists, including Romeo from So Solid Crew.

In 2008, Lisa participated in another TV show called CelebAir. On the show, celebrities worked as flight attendants. Lisa won the competition on 23 October 2008.

Later Music and Projects

In 2010, Lisa rejoined So Solid Crew for a tour and a new single, "Since You Went Away". The song was a top 10 hit on the independent music charts.

In March 2012, Lisa released a new solo song called "Don't Stop the Music". She also worked with other artists, including Aggro Santos and Peter Andre, appearing on a track on his album Angels & Demons.

In 2017, she released a new single called "Wah Gwarn". In 2019, she hosted her own TV show on BritAsia TV called Certified, where she cooked with other musicians.

In December 2021, Lisa announced that she would release a new EP in September 2023 and her first book, an autobiography, in 2024.

Business Ventures

Besides music and television, Lisa Maffia is also a business owner.

• House of Maffia: In 2012, she started her own company that designs the inside of homes.
• Salon 48: In 2020, she opened a hair and beauty salon in Margate, England.
• Lyrical UK: In the same year, she launched a service where people can get personalized video messages from UK Garage artists.
• Maffia Rum: In 2022, she announced her own brand of rum.

Awards

Lisa Maffia has won several awards, both as a solo artist and with So Solid Crew.

2001

MOBO Awards

• Best UK Garage Act (with So Solid Crew) – winner
• Best UK Newcomer (with So Solid Crew) – winner

2002

Brit Awards

• Best British Video (with So Solid Crew) for "21 Seconds" – winner

Dancestar World Dance Music Awards

• Best UK Garage Act – winner

2003

MOBO Awards

• Best UK Garage Act – winner

2004

MOBO Awards

• Best UK Garage Act (with So Solid Crew) – winner

2018

Black Magic Awards

• Music Honour – winner

Concert Tours

Film and Television

Films

• The Living Dead (2020)
• Time To Collect (2021)
• RoadGirl (2023)

Documentaries

• This Is So Solid (2001)
• 25 Years of UK Garage (2022)

Television Appearances

Lisa has appeared on many television shows, including:

• Top of the Pops (2001, 2002, 2003)
• The Games (2004)
• Never Mind The Buzzcocks (2004, 2008)
• Hell’s Kitchen (2004)
• CelebAir (2008) - Winner
• Celebrity Juice (2012)
• Certified with Lisa Maffia (2018)
• Celebrity Coach Trip (2019) - Joint winner
• Loose Women (2019)
• Celebrity Hunted (2022)
• Good Morning Britain (2022)

Discography

Albums

• First Lady (2003)

Singles