19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Singer Lemar reveals how he copes with life-changing medical condition
EXCLUSIVE: Singer Lemar is celebrating 20 years in the music industry - but the star has swapped the trappings of fame for a quiet life 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.
'There's a song called Take Care on my most recent album Page in My Heart,' he says. 'I was surprised by how much it connected with fans. When you start out, it's all about proving you can sing or write a good love song. But as you grow, and your fans grow with you—getting into relationships, getting divorced, having kids, even losing kids—the songs carry more meaning.'
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.
'I realised I had tinnitus about seven years ago,' he shares. 'One night, around 2 AM, I kept hearing a noise in the house. I asked my partner if they could hear it—they said no. Eventually, I figured out the sound was only in my ears.'
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 manages his condition with a careful routine. 'I limit loud noises. I have my own in-ear system I bring to shows so I can control the levels. Over the years, it's the noise spikes—on stage, in the studio—that take a toll. Back in the day, everything was loud in studios, which definitely contributed.'
Even outside of work, tinnitus shapes his choices. 'Maybe [it's changed my relationship with music]. I listen to music more quietly now and probably less often, especially after shows. The next day, the tinnitus is really loud, so I go through phases where I don't listen to anything.'
Still, he's keen to dispel myths around the condition. 'That it's unmanageable. When I first found out, I panicked because there's no definite cure. I thought, 'How will this change my life?' But over time, I've adapted. My particular tinnitus sound is manageable. Others may hear different things—some people hear trains or buzzing. But mine is something I've learned to live with.'
When it comes to live music, Lemar is passionate about making venues safer for everyone, especially the next generation. 'It's hard, especially with young people—telling a teen to turn down music doesn't really work. But promoting awareness is key. Maybe festivals could make it mandatory to hand out earplugs, even the cheap sponge ones. Especially for kids—when I see young children at loud festivals, I always worry about their hearing.'
Offstage, Lemar lives a quiet life with his wife Charmaine Powell, a former model and businesswoman. The pair have been together since the early 2000s and share two children. Despite being in the public eye for over two decades, he has kept his family life remarkably private, and it's a choice that's served him well.
'Honestly, I think what's helped us last is that I'm mega private,' he says. 'We keep things grounded and away from the spotlight. That's helped us grow together over the years.'
Fatherhood, too, has subtly transformed his perspective. 'They like music, but they're more cerebral, more athletic and studious than I was,' he says of his children. 'I'm happy with that.'
And if they ever wanted to follow in his footsteps? 'I'd support them fully, of course. But music isn't just about talent—it's about timing, luck, and so many other factors. I'd pull strings to help them, but I'd never push them into it.'
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 simple but sincere. 'Give it 200%. Be consistent. There's no such thing as overnight success. If you love what you're doing, you'll push through the hard times. That applies to any industry, not just music.'
Raised in a Nigerian household in north London, Lemar credits his upbringing with shaping his approach to both music and life. 'Massively. My mum was very entrepreneurial—always doing something—and I was always around that hustle. My dad was calm and chilled, and I think I've got that side from him. That balance shaped me.'
Despite the well-known pitfalls of fame, Lemar says he's been lucky to avoid the worst of the industry's darker side. 'I've been lucky. I started a bit later, around 22 or 23, and had a small team around me even before that. That team is still with me today. Having honest, grounded people around me helped spot when things could have gone left. That foundation is everything.'
And after 20 years of music, what's next for the man with the velvet voice?
'Yes, though I can't talk about some of them yet. I've been dabbling in film and radio. I've got my show on Magic, and a few movie projects too—some related to Bridgerton, actually. Always working on new music as well.'
One dream still yet to come true? A duet with Alicia Keys. 'I've always said that,' he smiles. 'Also, John Legend—that would be a great one too.'
From hit records to hearing struggles, from fame to fatherhood, Lemar proves that longevity isn't about chasing trends – it's about staying true to yourself. And if Alicia is reading – now's the time to pick up the phone.
