Lira marks 20 years of Feel Good with Instagram tribute

South African neo-soul singer Lira has marked the 20th anniversary of Feel Good, her second studio album, with a reel and caption on Instagram. She described it as "An album that would change the course of my life and catapult my career to a whole new level!"

The post looks back on what the record meant to her career. According to Lira, it opened doors, broke down boundaries and let her dream far bigger than she had imagined. She called the album an incredible journey and something special made in collaboration.

The people behind the album

Much of the tribute is given over to thanks. Victor Mngomezulu and Tshepo Sekele, who co-wrote Feel Good, are named, as is producer Robin Khol. Lira says Khol "moved mountains to produce, promote and sell the album". She also thanked Sony Africa for believing in her.

The credits sketch a record built by a small circle of collaborators, with Mngomezulu and Sekele on the writing side and Khol at the desk and behind the campaign. Lira's account stresses that promotion and sales were as much a part of the album's story as the songs.

Two decades on

Lira describes Feel Good as an iconic soundtrack of the early 2000s in South Africa. Reflecting on the 20 years since its release, she wrote: "Looking back 20 years later, my heart is filled with nothing but gratitude for the music, for the memories, the lessons, the people and every single person who embraced this album and made it part of their lives."

That final line places the audience alongside the collaborators in her thanks. In the wider South African neo-soul story of that period, the album is remembered as a staple sound of the country's summers, a point also made in coverage by Bona Magazine (bona.co.za).