From Hell’s Kitchen to Headliner: The Legacy of Lisa Lisa
In the mid-1980s, Lisa Lisa (born Lisa Velez) burst onto the scene with Cult Jam and Full Force, redefining freestyle and Latin pop with hits like “I Wonder If I Take You Home,” “Can You Feel the Beat,” and “Head to Toe.” Her voice was raw, radiant, and unmistakably New York. Her style? A mix of streetwear, soul, and unapologetic power. She wasn’t just a pop star—she was a movement.
🌟 2025: The 40th Anniversary Glow-Up
Now, four decades later, Lisa Lisa is celebrating her legacy with a full-force comeback. She’s headlining the “Take You Home” 40th Anniversary Tour, sharing the stage with Exposé, Color Me Badd, J.J. Fad, The Jets, and more. It’s not just a concert—it’s a time capsule with a pulse.
- 🎟️ Tour Dates & Tickets:
- Ticketmaster – Full Tour Schedule
- Songkick – Upcoming Shows
- Golden 1 Center – Sacramento Event
🎬 Lifetime Biopic: Can You Feel the Beat
Lisa Lisa’s story is hitting the screen in a Lifetime original biopic, premiering February 1st. The film stars Jearnest Corchado as Lisa, Bre Z as Toni Ménage, and Lisa herself playing her mother. It’s a tribute to her roots, resilience, and rise.
📚 Memoir & Interviews
Lisa’s memoir is set to drop later this year, chronicling her journey from Hell’s Kitchen to global stages. In recent interviews, she’s opened up about growing up as the youngest of ten, navigating fame, and reclaiming her narrative.
- 🗣️ Parlé Magazine Interview
- 🎙️ Sway in the Morning Feature
Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam was one of the pioneering freestyle and urban contemporary groups to emerge from New York City in the mid-1980s. Fronted by Lisa Velez (aka Lisa Lisa), the band included Alex “Spanador” Moseley on guitar/bass and Mike Hughes on drums/keyboards. They were assembled and produced by the Brooklyn-based team Full Force, who helped launch their debut album in 1985.
Their sound blended freestyle, R&B, and pop, and they scored multiple platinum hits like “I Wonder If I Take You Home,” “Can You Feel the Beat,” and “Head to Toe.” The group was active from 1984 to 1991, leaving a lasting mark on dance floors, mixtapes, and Latinx pop culture.
🧠 Legacy Drop
“You don’t fade when you’re the blueprint.” Lisa Lisa isn’t just back—she never left. She’s curating the vibe, preserving the beat, and proving that icons don’t age—they evolve.