After she worked as a model and played some local gigs, she met Siri Music CEO Chaunchy Jackson who gave her the opportunity to record a full-length album. Something that the big labels passed on earlier.

"The major labels are not taking time to develop an artist, to make their careers last longer." Vara says in a press release, "I want a longer career than one hit song, than one hit album."

"Lately" is the first single taken from Vara's forthcoming debut album, titled "Storybook Diaries." The song was produced by upcoming Chicago production team The Insomniax who skillfully crafted a sleek, luscious pop R&B jam that reminds me somewhat of Fergie's "Glamerous."

Download Stefani Vara "Lately" [MP3]




The song benefits the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) that campaigns for treatment for people with HIV and to reduce new HIV infections. Their efforts have resulted in many life-saving interventions, including the implementation of country-wide mother-to-child transmission prevention and antiretroviral treatment programmes.

Lennox recently went back to South Africa to work with TAC and to record "the real situation millions are facing every day, so the people unaware of the pandemic might gain some understanding. The trip will be documented across online, TV and print media produced by Annie Lennox herself." A first compilation of videos were recently featured on ArjanWrites.com

A brand-new digital EP with remixes of "Sing" was released on iTunes this week to commemorate World Aids Day on December 1. The song was remixed by Moto Blanco, Dean Coleman and Harry "Choo Choo" Romero. Proceeds of the song will go to Treatment Action Campaign in South Africa. (Click here to purchase the "Sing" EP on iTunes.)