Published: Wednesday - June 7, 2006
Words by Willow
Lady Sovereign (Photo: Def Jam)
Def Jam's president, Mr. Shawn Carter, hasn't had much success Stateside signing artists that half way live up to the name Def Jam carries in the industry. Yet, he has redeemed himself with the smash success of Rhianna, and hopefully his ear for talent with will further his redemption with his latest signing UK phenom, Lady Sovereign.
Touting the tag line "Biggest Midget in the Game," Lady Sovereign -- who goes by Sov for short -- is no stranger to the activities that keep critics throwing misnomers at hip-hop and dissing artists she deems wack. Taking a page out of the Eminem text book, Lady Sovereign garnered attention from a Rolling Stone interview where she is quoted calling "Jessica Simpson a disgrace" and taking shots at UK pop star Jentina -- when she recorded "Sad Ass Strippah," a parody of Jentina's hit "Bad Ass Strippah."
The mouthy pint size menace was kicked out of school at 16, and with the same strength it takes to make the winning goal, she silenced the naysayers who said she needed to get a job when she put the soccer ball down to pick up the microphone. Never at a loss for words, Lady Sovereign is not taking no ish or changing who she is for anyone. With a knack for putting rhymes together over beats with a dancehall feel, there is no particular sound that is signature to her. Hell, from some industry standards on her first record, she blew new life into Will Smith's "Getting Jiggy With It" when she recorded her version.
Call it a Napoleon complex or just a chick who's taking no shorts when it comes to the destiny of her career, Lady Sovereign is an MC who embodies everything being Sovereign is about. After a whirlwind trip to New York, Lady Sovereign is back at home and talks with Ballerstatus.com about her addiction to the internet, her connection to her fans and why with this Def Jam release, you'll only be able to purchase her music because her T&A won't be on the CD as bonus feature.
Ballerstatus.com: What was it about hip-hop that made you want to get down?
Lady Sovereign: Hip-hop is really big here, as it is in the States. I just connected with it from my first introduction.
Ballerstatus.com: How long have you been rapping?
Lady Sovereign: About six years.
Ballerstatus.com: Describe the underground hip-hop scene in the UK.
Lady Sovereign: I would say our sound is definitely ahead of its time and definitely fresh. You know, the rest of the world is so dominated by the US, it's kind of hard to get their [artists'] music to the next level. There are so many talented artists to pick from over here, and it's just hard to get the right kind of exposure. It doesn't help that there are people who protest against it.
Ballerstatus.com: Wow, I guess in the world of hip-hop things are the same no matter where you are.
Lady Sovereign: Yeah, guess so.
Ballerstatus.com: The major radio station over there is Radio One, do they show artists any love?
Lady Sovereign: Yeah, that's the only national one we got and it doesn't really spread that far. It only covers certain towns and areas. Radio One is really indie band dominated right now. They're going through the whole guitar phase, so it's a bit of a struggle to get anything else on there.
Ballerstatus.com: How did you come up with your name?
Lady Sovereign: It comes from the Sovereign rings out here, our jewelry. I just happen to get one, one day and from then on, I decided to call myself Lady Sovereign.
Ballerstatus.com: Describe the difference between your sound and flow in comparison to the other famous known female MC Ms. Dynamite.
Lady Sovereign: My style is lot more loose, I don't limit myself. My style/flow changes on everything. On the musical side of things, I write songs rather than joints or club bangers or whatever. You know with my style, I don't care what I say and I say it in a real loose kind of way instead of being real conscious about things. I am not a conscious rapper; I don't go deep into things. I just prefer to have fun with things.
Ballerstatus.com: Def Jam is worldwide commodity to the hip-hop culture, but were you personally aware of the label's contribution before becoming apart of the label?
Lady Sovereign: Yes, of course! Hell yeah, that is why I was like, "What the hell is going on?" Def Jam, Def Jam is like one of the biggest names in the world for good music. I was like, "Holy Sh--!"
Ballerstatus.com: When you got word Jay-Z was interested in you, tell me how that felt, where you were, give me the whole scoop?
Lady Sovereign: He actually called my manager. He didn't call me because he obviously didn't have my number, but he called my manger and said, "This girl is the sh--, I want to meet her." He flew me out to New York and I met him along with Usher (he was standing in the room for some reason) and LA Reid and a good handful of people. It was crazy. I was a bit nervous because it was real corporate and I like to meet people outside of their workplace. But, that is something I'll never forget because Jay-Z is a legend and Def Jam is legendary, I feel really special.
Ballerstatus.com: Your song "Blah, Blah," is that your new single?
Lady Sovereign: Yeah, sort of, it was released in the UK as a limited edition just to keep things (buzz) going to let people know things are about to get hot.
Ballerstatus.com: What is the motive/message behind the song?
Lady Sovereign: Well, you know, it's basically my answer back to what people have to say about me. People say things and they don't really know me, so to them I say "Blah, Blah" and it doesn't affect me anymore. I hear what you are saying, but people are really getting it twisted. This is how it really is.
Ballerstatus.com: You know here in the US, we can be really hard on our female MCs. How have you or how has Def Jam prepped you for that?
Lady Sovereign: I don't like to think about things like that. If you think about something for too long, the worst will happen. So, I just kind of get on with it and what happens at the time happens. I don't like to pre-think. I know how it is because out here when I first started, it was a little easier for me to be noticed because it's male dominated. I just got to deal with it if it happens.
Ballerstatus.com: When I did my research on you, I noticed you really stay connected with your fans through online diaries that have tracked your career for quite some time...and you use Myspace.com a lot. I thought that was really cool. A lot of stars have cookie cutter answers on why their fans are important, but why do you go as far as you do to keep them abreast of what's going on in your career?
Lady Sovereign: I've always used the internet and that is how I found my way in the first place. So, you know, I'm an internet addict anyway. But, I really like to talk with my fans who want to talk to me. I am a real sociable person and I can't treat them any different then how I treat anyone else really. So, if they want to converse with me, I'll converse back because I want them to know what I am doing. I am always on Myspace.com, so people can reach out to me. It's not a big deal, I like talking to my fans.
Ballerstatus.com: Well, that's good to know because a lot of the star's Myspace pages aren't real, so it's good to know your fans are really talking with you and the replies are real.
Lady Sovereign: Yeah, there are a few fake Lady Sovereign pages, but I run my own sh--! The real one is myspace.com/LadySovereign.
Ballerstatus.com: Have you picked the single for your US debut?
Lady Sovereign: I'm still deciding that. I have a couple of songs, but it's most likely going to be a song titled "Love Me Or Hate Me."
Ballerstatus.com: Who are some of the people you've collaborated with in the US for this new album?
Lady Sovereign: There are no vocal collaborations whatsoever on my album, but as far as producers, I worked with Ad Rock from the Beastie Boys and guy named Dr. Luke. There are a couple others, but I'm still finishing things up at the moment.
Ballerstatus.com: With the female rappers in the states, there is a whole lot of sexuality fused in the songs and in the image they need to portray in order to sell albums. For all intents and purposes, your look is the epitome of a B-Girl. With that being said, are you going to give in for the US sales or will you remain firm in the Lady Sovereign your fans have come to know?
Lady Sovereign: Yeah, I've noticed that a lot of the females in the industry half sell themselves and half sell their music, but I am not into that whole putting on a dress or showing off my tits for anyone. I am just who I am and it's gotten me this far, so why the f--- do I need to change for anyone? It's been my music that got me this far, so no one can tell me nothing! They can't tell me what to do. I won't ever do anything that I am not comfortable with -- no earrings, no heels, nothing. NO, NO, NO! My people like me how I am anyway.
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