If you grew up in a Nigerian Christian home in the late 2000s, there’s a good chance “Ijoba Orun” found you before you found it. It played on the radio. It played in church. It played in your daddy’s sitting room on a Sunday morning and today, we’re shining a light on the woman behind it.

Born on June 23, 1978 in Lagos State, Nigeria, Lara George is a singer, songwriter, and producer whose career spans nearly three decade. Lara’s professional career began in 1997 when she joined the Rock Solid group, which belonged to a campus fellowship called Rock Foundation Mission. She later met some other talented singers — TY Bello, Emem, and Dapo and together they formed KUSH.

KUSH — which stood for Kinetically Ushering Salvation into Hearts and Homes — quickly became popular on campus with their recorded hit success from their experience album. It was one of the earliest modern gospel music groups in Nigeria, and its members would each go on to become significant figures in Nigerian gospel music.

The group came to an abrupt end due largely to financial uncertainties and other challenges but for Lara, the end of KUSH was simply the beginning of something bigger.

In 2008, Lara released her debut solo album “Forever In My Heart,” which included the breakout hit song “Ijoba Orun.” This song catapulted her to stardom, becoming a household name in the Nigerian gospel music scene.

She bagged several awards in 2008 because of that track winning Best Vocals Female at the Hip Hop World Awards, Best Gospel Act at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards, and Voice of the Year at the Nigeria Music Awards.

Her subsequent albums, included “Lara George” (2009) and “Higher — The Dansaki Album” (2012). Songs like “Kolebaje” and “Halleluyah” became staples in Nigerian Christian homes and churches.

Lara George’s reach has never been limited to Nigeria. She has performed at major gospel events globally including The Experience Lagos, Calabar Festival, Festival of Life UK and Canada, and the Greenbelt Festival UK — sharing the stage with global gospel icons like Don Moen, Mary Mary, Ron Kenoly, and CeCe Winans.

She also made history as one of the first Nigerian gospel artists featured on BET International and served two terms in the BET Voting Academy. That’s not a small feat.

She currently serves as Vice President at SoForte Entertainment Distribution Ltd., a pioneering music distribution company in Nigeria. She has also been involved in several charitable causes, supporting initiatives that focus on women’s empowerment, child welfare, and Christian evangelism. She is based in Alpharetta, Georgia with her husband and two children.