Voice of Lele is a West Papuan-born Australian singer-songwriter, cultural storyteller, refugee advocate and facilitator whose music is grounded in culture, identity, family, resilience and the contemporary Pasifika experience.
A proud West Papuan woman now based in Australia, Lele has spent much of her life using music as a way to share culture and connect communities. Her international career began as a member of acclaimed West Papuan group The Black Sistaz, touring across Australia, the Pacific, Europe and North America.
With The Black Sistaz, Lele performed alongside or at events featuring internationally recognised artists including UB40, Julian Marley, Michael Franti, Katchafire, Natiruts and SOJA. Her extensive festival history includes appearances at Glastonbury Festival, California Roots, Montreal Jazz Festival, Ottawa Bluesfest, Winnipeg Folk Festival, WOMAD Australia, Woodford Folk Festival and Ostróda Reggae Festival, as well as performances throughout New Zealand and the Pacific.
After stepping out as a solo artist, Lele began developing her own distinctive sound, blending island music, soul, gospel, pop and contemporary world influences with stories drawn from her West Papuan heritage and lived experience. Her solo releases include Island Proud, Jow Manfun, Kamam, and Border Crosser featuring Nattali Rize.
Lele has also featured on a number of recordings alongside her husband, Australian World Music artist Mitch Tambo, including Amazing Grace, Guda and a reimagining of the Australian classic My Island Home.
Lele has brought her powerful live performance to some of Australia’s biggest stages, major cultural events and festivals, including Carols by Candlelight, the Australian Open, the Prime Minister’s Olympic Dinner, the Volleyball World Championships, Brunswick Music Festival, Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival and City of Sydney Christmas celebrations, continuing to build her reputation as an exciting and distinctive voice in Australia’s contemporary music landscape.
Beyond music, Lele works with schools, young people and communities as a cultural and creative facilitator, sharing her experiences as a refugee and West Papuan woman through music, storytelling and conversation.
With an international performance history, powerful live voice and deeply personal story, Voice of Lele is building a distinctive place within Australia’s contemporary Pacific and world music landscape.