Lisa Lisa, born Lisa Velez in Hell’s Kitchen, New York City, rose to fame in the 1980s as the lead singer of Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam. At a time when Latin artists were underrepresented in mainstream American pop, Lisa Lisa broke barriers with her unique blend of Latin freestyle, R&B, and dance-pop.
Her 1985 breakout hit, “I Wonder If I Take You Home”, became a club anthem, followed by timeless tracks like “Can You Feel the Beat”, “All Cried Out”, “Head to Toe”, and “Lost in Emotion”. With production by Full Force, Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam brought freestyle music to the forefront, paving the way for future Latin pop artists.
Behind the scenes, Lisa Lisa battled personal challenges, including a private struggle with breast cancer at just 21 years old. Touring the country while secretly undergoing chemotherapy, she became a symbol of strength and resilience.
Decades later, her story continues to resonate. In 2025, Lifetime released Can You Feel The Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story, a biopic where she portrays her own mother, providing fans an intimate look into her roots and rise to fame.
“I was a Latina from the hood who broke down doors,” Lisa Lisa said in a recent interview. “I’m still here, still proud, and still singing.”
