For the past 24 years, Lisa Maffia has been synonymous with the UK garage and grime music scene.
In the early 2000s as one of the most notable members of Hip Hop collective So Solid Crew, the group achieved mainstream success, charting at number 1 in the UK singles charts with ‘21 seconds’ and winning three MOBO Awards and a Brit Award.
A further three singles ‘They Don’t Know’, ‘Haters’, and ‘Broken Silence’ would chart in the top 10 with So Solid Crew establishing themselves as pioneers in the UKG and grime scene.
Still touring and having been a resident of Margate for some years now, CommunityAd were able to catch up with the Queen of UK garage where we talked most memorable career moments, her business venture in the town and, of course, why she loves living in Margate…
Growing up, who were your musical influences and who would you say has helped you the most through your career?
Musical influences came mainly from my lifestyle and the people close to me, I enjoyed going out and having fun with friends so a lot of my songs reflect good times in the club.
My mum was my biggest supporter throughout the early stages of my career and today it would be my daughter, they’re both encouraging and supportive of everything I do in music.
Do you remember the moment when you realised you had the talent to pursue a career in music? How did that feel and how were you able to adapt to fame in the early stages?
I didn’t ever have that day when I realised I was going to be famous. For me, music was a hobby I always had.
My music career was a complete surprise to me too! My friends were very musical but growing up I was into art design and photography and I had a dream of being an architect, vet or a nurse, never a musician!
I landed the part in So Solid Crew because I just loved music, and had so many musical friends. My career in music has changed my life and I am truly grateful but it was never my very first choice.
If you had to pick a top 3 moments from your career, what would they be and why?
- Winning the MOBOs in 2003 because it was the first time I realised that people loved my music and all the hard work was actually paying off
- Doing a tour in Australia because I never imagined my music would take me that far away from home
- Being on stage 21 years later and still really enjoying performing and singing and making music
If you could only listen to 3 albums for the rest of you live, what 3 would you choose and why?
Frank Ocean – Orange
SZA – Ctrl
Ariana Grande – My Everything
All three albums I can listen from start to end, all of them are lyrically amazing and musically healing.
Is there anything you would have changed about your career and would there be any advice now that you would give to a 20-year-old Lisa Maffia?
Time passes by so quickly and it’s so easy to not take in the moments that could truly change your future.
I would tell a 20-year-old Lisa to just focus even more than she was.
“I love Margate and I really think the area is changing into something quite incredible”
What first attracted you to the town of Margate and how does living here differ to other places you have lived?
My great grandmother lived in Cliftonville when I was a child, we spent many years here visiting and going to Bembom Brothers a.k.a. Dreamland so I’ve always been familiar with Margate. I have also attended many events at the Winter Gardens over the years. I love Margate and I really think the area is changing into something quite incredible.
Business is what brought me here to Margate, I have a salon called SALON 48 in Canterbury Road and I’m absolutely loving meeting all the fabulous creatives around the area.
Can you tell us more about SALON 48?
SALON 48 is a one stop shop for all things beauty, hair and health. We do everything from braids, teeth whitening, nails, even waxing and threading.
What do you enjoy most about living in Thanet and do you have any particular favourite spots in the area?
I love The Med and Sands Hotel in Margate and The Little Sicilian in Broadstairs and my favourite place to drink is The Tap Room in Cliftonville.
What are you most looking forward to in 2022 and do you have any 5-10 year plans for your career?
In January, I took part in a show for Channel 4 called Celebrity Hunted to raise money for Stand Up To Cancer.
The next five years for me is all about being happy, I plan to open a few more businesses and start a few amazing garage music nights in Margate; you can call this the Margate take over!
Lisa Maffia will be bringing parties to Margate very soon!
by Matthew Hemmings