Lady Sovereign

Posted on 03.15.2007

19 comment(s)

LADY SOVEREIGN
real name : Louise Harman
born 1987 in Wembley, London

“One of Britain’s most hotly tipped musicians . . .” — The Guardian (UK)

This young woman has built her way up from nothing, from dropping out of school, from selling donuts and double-glazed windows to making a slew of world tastemakers (from sometime collaborators Basement Jaxx to Jay-Z, who recently signed her) take note of a random, cheeky, and undeniably charismatic talent. Now it’s time for America to make way for the Ess-Oh-Vee, otherwise known as Lady Sovereign.

Even for many substantial and popular UK artists, trans-Atlantic success can be elusive. But Lady Sovereign, the self-proclaimed “big midget” born Louise Harman in a rough part of Wembley, England (Chalkhill Estate, to be precise) has hit that relatable note far beyond her origins with her personality and honest skills. She has attracted an almost deafening Stateside buzz before releasing even a note of music in the U.S. — or turning 21.

Turns out, that buzz extended past the likely suspects who celebrate British culture into something else entirely. In August of 2005, she traveled to New York to meet with Jay-Z, LA Reid, and Usher, and will now release her debut album in spring 2006 via the Island Def Jam Music Group.

Lady Sovereign expresses a unique perspective of youth culture that’s previously been a hidden voice. An MC, lyricist, and producer, she’s the alternative microphone vandal with lyrics that hit like left and right hooks, whether subjects are light or weighty.

She’s also product of ‘90s youth culture and technology. Internet forums and the influence of discerning music blogs greatly helped to solidify her early popularity and attract intense media interest, even prior to releasing any songs. (It was through the Internet where she first offered her first rhymes at age 14 and met her longtime DJ, Frampster.)

Her music sees the current sound of inner city estates blending with an experimental melting pot of influence. From grime, garage, and jungle to ragga, hip-hop, R&B, hardcore, ska and punk, she embraces it all and makes it her own. Amongst her eclectic collection you may even find Tracy Chapman, Charles and Eddy, or Ace of Base. Other current favorites include Missy Elliott, Gwen Stefani, OutKast, and Bloc Party — anyone who’s braving it and doing their own thing.

“Vertically Challenged” finds Lady Sovereign definitely doing her own thing as well, showcasing her incredibly varied flow and animated voice across a multivariance of bottom-heavy beats that could only emerge from the UK urban underground.

The EP features eight songs (including the hits “Random,” “Ch-Ching,” and “A Little Bit of Shhh !”) and a DVD of videos, live footage, and behind-the-scenes interviews. Reflective of the diverse fan base that Lady Sovereign has developed, the Beastie Boys’ Ad Rock presents an exclusive remix of “A Little Bit of Shhh !” and Chocolate Industries’ own Ghislain Poirer is on hand to rework “Fiddle With the Volume.”

Regardless of gender or generation, you can be assured that Sovereign’s making the kind of noise that will see her reign supreme. Feminine ? Nah, Sovereign !

Lady Sovereign discography :

Lp :
2006 : Public Warning

EP’s
2005 "Vertically Challenged"

Singles
2005 "9 to 5"
2005 "Hoodie"
2005 "Random"
2004 "Ch Ching"
2004 "Little Bit of Shhhh !"
2004 "Blah Blah"

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Lady Sovereign, by Stephanie [2008-03-08 22:16:58]

i think lady sovereign is really talented !! I mean i think she can flow better than 50 cent like in Public Warning i just loovee that song !

Lady Sovereign, by (lu---nay---uh) [2008-02-01 22:29:28]

look,you guys can talk your crap about her, but i dont care what crap you guys have to say about her because i think she is the goddess of rap.I think she is awesome,putting herself out like that.i mean, being a female rap artist, taking all of this crap that you guys are saying about her and not careing about it,and i think you guys are all very sick because no one could say that stupid stuff that you guys are saying,and not be screwed up in the head !!!! i love your music lady sovereign you are awesome !!!

Lady Sovereign, by kayla [2008-01-06 15:26:46]

i luv the sov ! she rocks !!!

Lady Sovereign, by [2007-12-14 22:27:46]

horrible roll model for todays teens...promotes underage drinking and smoking...we’ll she her in rehab soon

Lady Sovereign, by Isabella [2007-12-06 22:07:33]

lady sovereign rocks

Lady Sovereign, by J0KKiN-MA-$WAG [2007-11-02 08:25:36]

WUZ HA’NiN, HATAEZ ST0P HATEiN iF SHE WAS’NT GUD WHY DiD SHE GET SiGNED iNT0 DEF JAM H0EZ YA’LL JUZ JEAL0UZ CUZ YA’L N0 Y0 PUSSi AZZ AiNT GONNA MAKE iT HALF AZ BiG AZ LADY SOVEREIGN N’AM SAYiN.

Lady Sovereign, by BL@CC 5L@V3 [2007-07-08 15:22:47]

this bitch is worse then lil wyte... and when did bitches from london start rappin all of a sudden ?? what the fucc is goin wrong wit rap now a dayz... but i might fucc that bitch and leave my kids on her chin

Lady Sovereign, by [2007-07-07 23:25:58]

hip hop just died this mornin and shes dead shes dead...

Lady Sovereign, by byanymeans [2007-07-07 23:23:14]

yo homies before you fuckin start jumpin and fuckin rip each other know that this little skanky ass ho aint shit all this aint shit i am with the nas statement Hip Hop Is Fuckin Dead This shit keeps it dead WHOS GONNA FUCKIN RESURRECT IT and whoever thinks g unit is better than def jam you shouldnt of ever fell out of yo mammys ass dumbass

Lady Sovereign, by •[J][k][O][n]• a.k.a NoToRiOuS •J•a•G [2007-05-28 14:56:13]

SOVVY IS DA BESSTTT ’N’ for the English Arsonist man therz no need for racism n im sikh n quarta blak so i shud kno !! SOVVY is WICKID SHE NEEDS G-UNIT TO BACK HER UP NOT DEF JAM !!!!!!

Lady Sovereign, by EnGliSh arsonist [2007-04-09 16:56:23]

u dont have 2 fuckin like lady sovereign,in my opinion shez fuckin baaaaaaaadass,and hueva tha fuck said summat about i h8 the english accent ill fuckin murder tha mothafucka,u dont say shit about england,or we’ll start takin the rip outta your fuckin CUNTry,ya paki

Lady Sovereign, by I H8 LADY sovereign !!!! [2007-01-22 12:37:42]

I FUCKIN HATE THIS ENGLISH BITCH !!!

THIS BITCH THINKZ SHE CAN RAP !!!!

FUCK SHE DONT EVEN KNOW THE MEANING OF RAP !!!!

THIS UGLY LIL STINKY ASS HOE NEEDZ TO STOP DOIN WUT EVER THE FUCK SHE IS DOIN !!! ASAP !!!

DUMB LIL CUNT !!!!!!!!!!!

Lady Sovereign, by idk [2007-01-09 17:48:49]

your music is the best i eva heard !! you rock !!

Lady Sovereign, by [2006-12-30 16:29:41]

Lady sovereign rox ! she ain’t no bitch and her lyrics are the best every bodi that hears her once loves her,hip-hop has never been so alive !she’s funny too !