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Well whilst Lisa is still recording her second solo album, recording for So Solid's third studio album, she has also been busy working on a new project: House Of Maffia, an online fashion store. It has gained loads of media attention such as The Mirror newspaper, Flavour Magazine and many others and it hasn't even launched properly yet. Stay tuned for more info, whilst waiting be sure to follow Lisa and House of Maffia on Twitter: www.twitter.com/lisamaffiauk and www.twitter.com/houseofmaffia and the official website for House of Maffia: www.houseofmaffia.com

From The Mirror

At the start of the last decade, So Solid Crew were the original gangstas of UK rap with sole, super-stylish, female member Lisa Maffia as their sexy secret weapon.

The ever-expanding outfit - at one point claiming 23 members - topped the chart with the single 21 Seconds in 2001 and became a notorious nationwide sensation, paving the way for the current explosion in UK urban pop.

While Lisa, 30, attempted to keep her distance, controversy and violence, including gun and knife crime, continually dogged the band and, in 2005, band associate Carl Morgan was sentenced to life in prison for murder.

The band's reputation was badly tarnished, records ceased to sell and the group folded.

Now, following various solo projects, SSC have returned. Lisa, who has a 13-year-old daughter called Chelsea, insists that the new, smaller, more compact band have matured and changed their ways.

"As the only girl in the crew, I didn't really get to see what was going on with the guys," says Brixton-born Lisa.

"I spent precious time with my daughter, so away from work I didn't spend time with them. The only time I got to spend around them was through music.

"But it was such a shame when you could see the old team crumbling away. Everyone is older and wiser now, so let's hope that the decisions that are made are the right ones. I'm sure they will be because it's not teenagers out of control with money and no guidance. Everyone is grown-up now."

These days, having made a considerable sum from SSC and elsewhere, Lisa lives with Chelsea in Milton Keynes, far away from So Solid's world of trouble.

"I always promised myself I'd never stay in Brixton. When I was 19 I got a flat in Westminster,"
says Lisa.

"I know my daughter will want to travel back to London when she's old enough, but I don't think I'd ever move back. The gun culture petrifies me."

Now comprised of core members Romeo, Lisa and Megaman, So Solid 2010 are a far cry from the posse who lived large, partied hard and got into several scrapes.

"Now it's completely different," Lisa admits. "Everyone has a personal life, children and responsibilities. When we get together it's like being in an office - you do a nine to five and get back to your life again."

With plans to relaunch her solo career later in the year, open a clothes shop and launch her own designer brand, Lisa will certainly be kept busy.

However, she's currently finding it a little harder to reach her goals as, following a drink and drive conviction last August, she is currently on a one-year driving ban.

"I was only slightly over the limit," she says, "but now I don't think you should drink and drive at all. I wasn't doing anything reckless. Apparently I hesitated at the lights a little too long and that's one of the signs of a drink driver. I wasn't completely off my nut, but three drinks put me over the limit.

"Not being able to drive and living out in the countryside is killing me. I realise how hard it is to have no car. I've definitely learned my lesson, though. I won't be doing that again!"
* New So Solid Crew single Since You Went Away is released on Monday.

Ok, first check out the "Since You Went Away" CD Cover. You can pre-order the new single on HMV and Amazon. It's official release date is 18th January 2010, so everyone you need to support this! 

The tracklisting is as follows:
1. Radio Edit
2. Full Version
3. Funky Mix
4. Electro House Mix
5. 7″ Mix

You can also vote for the track on MTV Base by clicking here and on Channel AKA by calling free on 08006122467 and selecting '4363'. Also keep requesting on radio, we want So Solid and Maffia at the top!!!

It's finally here, the video for Since You Went Away and omg!!! Lisa's voice, her look and the song overall....watch it now!!! click here

Lisa posted a 12 second preview of the Since You Went Away video, so expect the video to premier any time soon...it's literally the beginning part of the video, but its got me hyped for it...click here to check the preview...

Check out these new behind the scene images from Lisa and So Solid's "Since You Went Away" video shoot courtesy of www.flavourmag.co.uk.
Lisa looks hot!!! Click the image to go to the gallery..!

FORMER So Solid star Lisa Maffia broke down in tears in court after she was banned from driving for failing a breathalyser test.

Maffia, 30, who had several hit records with UK garage group So Solid Crew, was pulled over in her Mercedes after a night out in a Kensington club. She had been drinking champagne while celebrating a friend’s birthday.

The Brixton-born singer and TV presenter, who lives in Kent, wept at West London Magistrates' Court this morning as JPs heard how she drank two glasses of champagne before getting behind the wheel in the early hours of 26 April this year.

Brinksman May, prosecuting, said: "At around 4.50 in the morning police were on duty and saw a Mercedes vehicle turning into Kensington High Street.

"The vehicle then stopped at a red traffic light on the High Street. The traffic lights turned green and the vehicle moved off at a very slow speed. It was then seen travelling over 35mph.

"Police stopped the vehicle and spoke with the driver. She told officers she was coming from a nightclub in Kensington. She was breathalysed at the road side and failed the test."

May said Maffia provided a urine sample which showed 124ml of alcohol in 100ml of urine. The legal limit is 108ml.

Mother-of-one Maffia wiped her eyes as Paul Legg, in mitigation, told the court she was a musician who travelled in her car across the country to attend concerts.

Legg said: "She was out for a friend's birthday. It was always her intention to drive home and that's what normally happens - she's often the designated driver.

"She's always very careful. She's aware she can drink two glasses of wine. She actually had two glasses of champagne because someone gave it to her.

"She didn't drink any more because she wanted to make sure she was OK to drive home.

"She has learnt from this. She has said she will not drink at all if she's going to be driving."

Maffia offered to pay the fine and costs, which totalled £155 today. She was also banned from driving for 12 months.

She first came to fame as the singer with rap band So Solid Crew, who enjoyed a No 1 hit with 21 Seconds in 2001. While in So Solid, the singer notched up five Top 20 hits.

As a solo artist, she has enjoyed two Top 10 singles and an award-winning album including the gold-selling single All Over.

Maffia most recently appeared in the reality TV series Celeb Air in 2008, which she won.

Lisa then issued this statement "Sorry to anyone that has lost a friend or family to drink driving, I didn't intentionally drink drive I thought two glasses was the limit but noone can tell if one or two drinks will make you over the limit, so message to you all, jut don't do it, it's not worth the risk...I'm still very ill with flu, so I'm chilling out, take care all..much love xxx-Lisa Maffia"

We all make mistakes and Lisa has shown she is sorry by continuously apologizing...We still support you Maffia!

According to Lisa's makeup artist Alexis Day, "Their new song, "Since you went away" is a whole different sound to their usual, a lot lot more emphasis on the female vocals and a bit more grown up. Set in a basketball court, Lisa does most of the legwork both in the acting and singing bits. Accompanied by cameos from East London funny man Kojo and his partner in crime to date Kevin, there were maybe 150 people involved in the entire set up from film crew to makeup and hair team to stylists as well as extras, basketball team, glamour girls, cheerleaders and all sorts."

Check out an exclusive behind the scenes info, pictures and even a rough snippet from the new Lisa/So Solid video "Since You Went Away" by clicking here

Wow, Lisa's vocals are great! And she looks hot aswell!

Check out Lisa's appearence on BBC Three's "The Real Hustle" where she is asked How many times she can fold a piece of paper...
Check it out by clicking here

Just got these sneak preview images of the new So Solid video for "Since You Went Away". How hot does Lisa look? The video looks like its going to be a lot of fun and how excited are we all for this long time awaited return?  At the moment, it looks like Lisa is back with the crew and is set to appear on 4 songs for their new album. Click the image to view more from the shoot...