Lady Sovereign now resides in North London, England.
Career
Lady Sovereign first received attention when she recorded "The Battle", a freestyle girls versus boys battle rap with Shystie, Suz Rock and Frost P. Each rapper who participated in the recording of "The Battle" has since been signed to a record deal.
Lady Sovereign signed to Island Def Jam Music Group in 2005, after auditioning for Def Jam Recordings president and CEO, Jay-Z and The Island Def Jam Music Group chairman, Antonio "L.A." Reid.
Shortly afterwards, "Random" was released. This was followed by "9 to 5" which entered the UK Top 40 at number 33. The follow-up single, "Hoodie" - produced by dance act Basement Jaxx - failed to reach the top 40, peaking at number 44. Lady Sovereign has since recorded with AdRock from the American rap group the Beastie Boys and American producer Dr. Luke.
When The Ordinary Boys released the single "Boys Will Be Boys", Lady Sovereign came back with her own reply remix, featuring the music and chorus of the original, but with mostly her own vocals to the tune of "girls will be girls". In May 2006, the favor was returned when she was featured on The Ordinary Boys single, "Nine2Five," a remixed version of her own "9 to 5," credited as "The Ordinary Boys vs Lady Sovereign." "Nine2Five" entered at number 38 in the UK top 40 singles on downloads only, and jumped to #6 upon availability as a CD and 7" vinyl single during the week commencing May 22, 2006. This was her highest chart position to date and has helped to increase the media attention garnered by Lady Sovereign.
Lady Sovereign is the first non-American female to appear on the Def Jam label. Her former lack of success in the UK may be due in part to her stigma as representative of chav culture. She was featured on a Sky One documentary on chavs produced by Julie Burchill, after having been the target of a barrage of abuse and ridicule on the internet forum ChavScum. However, she has a following in the United States and has co-headlined a tour with The Streets, with whom she appeared in a remix for his song "Fit But You Know It." Lady Sovereign's cult following was again boosted after she recorded an attack on singer Jentina with "Sad Ass Strippa," a play on words of Jentina's song "Bad Ass Strippa." Kitty Empire of The Guardian is known to be a fan of "Sad Ass Strippa" and mentioned it in an interview she wrote about Lady Sovereign.
Lady Sovereign recently served as the host and spokesperson for Adult Swim and Chocolate Industries' Chocolate Swim.
On October 31, 2006, her debut album, Public Warning, was released, featuring "Random," "9 to 5," "Hoodie" and her new single, "Love Me or Hate Me," which was also released on the same day.
On August 1, 2006, Lady Sovereign's new single "Love Me or Hate Me", a collaboration with American producer Dr. Luke, was aired on the radio for the first time in North America on Flow 93.5 in Canada. The song explains how she is almost the exact inverse of typical female rappers that sell very well, and shows some disgruntlement in pop culture. She explains she doesn't have looks, she can't sing, and can't dance, so love her or hate her. The harmony featured in this song references the Genesis track "I Can't Dance". She is also known for sometimes calling herself a midget (she stands at 5'1, or 152 cm), where she says: "This is officially the biggest midget in the game".
She began an American tour on October 23, 2006 and soon appeared live on CBS-TV's Late Show with David Letterman. On November 18, 2006, it was announced that Lady Sovereign had contracted a throat and chest infection, forcing postponement of her shows in Las Vegas.
As of late 2006, "Love Me or Hate Me" was played in a Verizon Wireless advertisement for the LG Chocolate. It also appears on the Need for Speed: Carbon and Ugly Betty soundtrack, as does "9 to 5" on the latter. On October 17, 2006 "Love Me or Hate Me" became the first video by a British artist to reach #1 on the U.S. (and original) version of MTV's Total Request Live. "Love Me Or Hate Me" was released in the UK on 29 January 2007, with the album following on 5 February 2007.
She has recorded a track for The O.C.'s new album, Music From The O.C. Mix 6 "Covering Our Tracks", where she sings The Sex Pistols' "Pretty Vacant".
On December 31, 2006, Lady Sovereign helped ring in the New Year with a performance of "Love Me Or Hate Me" during the MTV Goes Gold: New Year's Eve 2007 special which aired on MTV.
Sov's full-length Straight Up Cheeky is supposedly coming out early summer, but as for other LS sightings: "Ch-Ching (Cheque 1, 2 Remix)" is on the first major-label grime comp Run The Road, and a 20-minute "FelineMix" has been floating around the p2ps for about a year now.
She returned with her new album Jigsaw which was released on April 7, 2009 on Sov's own label Midget Records.
A Little Bit Of Shhh
Lady Sovereign Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo I ain't featherweight nor bantom weight,
Cause the only thing I be is heavyweight,
Let me demonstrate lyrically decorate,
Check out the vibe that I create,
You want me to stop well it's too late,
Want me to flow? Haha never mate,
I never hesitate to do what I like,
Never hesitate to pick up a fight,
At the things right challenging my vibe,
Continue? Yes I'm sure,
Get off my lyric and get a big roar,
Will leave you sore like a beat up whore,
All eyes them after a ten pound draw,
Fighting lyrics was against the law,
Be lame right now when the girl's so flawed,
Eating bread and water,
My living went out to slaughter,
With an order,
Have you come to a decision?
Yes she's going to (oh shit)
Don't send me there
The beef for my living just to get you no what,
Don't really care write what I like,
So you better prepare,
Oh yeah be aware
[Chorus]
Yo a little bit of shh for me,
A little bit of quiet for the MC,
A little bit of shh for me,
Make way for the S.O.V.,
A little bit of shh for me
Now shut your mouth for the MC
A little bit hush for me
Right now it's the S.O.V.
Right, haha
Don't joke with us small folk
Yo I've had one nightstand,
What you think of mic stands,
Right now how it sounds I got a very hard hands (oww)
An acoustic band on hand all the time,
All my fans I'm in trouble uh-oh
That sound pollution man got down,
Well I make up noise like pots and pans,
They should put my voice in an ice cream van,
That way the streets won't be bland,
Big-headed no, confident yes,
I must confess well I'm never gonna rest,
Well unless I don't want to mess,
Here comes the press!!
Another damn reporter,
Obsessed with my disorder,
Diagnosis please what's wrong with that girl?
She's ill
Nah she's sick
[Chorus]
Oh my God!! Pianos!! Ohh!!
(haha) BRRRRRRRR!! It's cold there's a new top girl on road,
Running ting running ting running ting, everything oh you been told,
I requested shh and well i got it,
So let me carry on this you sit back and vomit,
Some say I'm cheeky like Wallace and Gromit,
You know you can't stop it,
Some don't like me,
Like the whole Miss Spears and Madonna story,
I'm horny,
Just keep writing surely you could ignore me,
But then again if you saw me you'll adore me (aww!)
Cause I'm so cute and scrawny
Spit on a track and leave it so horny (hmm)
And who taught me? Nobody
I did it all by myself, you can't stop me!
[Chorus]
It's ok, it's alright you, you can start making some noise now if you like, you know what i mean right?
I'm not going to go completely off the rail you know what I mean? Ha thankyou
Hey! [whistle] alright calm down please
Alright now a little bit of shh.
[Chorus x2]
The song "A Little Bit of Shhh" by Lady Sovereign is a fast-paced rap that reflects Lady Sovereign's attitude towards her critics and the music industry. In the song, she claims to be a heavyweight in the rap game, and she demonstrates her prowess through lyrics that showcase her confidence, fearlessness, and determination.
Lady Sovereign begins by asserting that she is not a featherweight or a bantamweight but, indeed, a heavyweight in the game. She then goes on to ask permission for a little shhh for herself so she can present her flow. Lady Sovereign also states that she is not afraid to fight and challenge anyone who comes her way. She is confident in her abilities and states that she will never hesitate to do what she likes. In the chorus, Lady Sovereign asks her audience for a little hush so she can showcase her talent as the S.O.V., shutting down all the critics who might be trying to shut her down.
The song is an expression of Lady Sovereign's defiance and determination to succeed in the rap game despite the adversities and obstacles she must face. She is using her music as a tool to challenge the status quo and assert her power as a female rapper in a male-dominated industry.
Line by Line Meaning
Little shhh for the MC please (thank-you)
Please quiet down and listen to me as I prepare to perform
Yo I ain't featherweight nor bantom weight,
I'm not a small person or a lightweight in the music industry
Cause the only thing I be is heavyweight,
I am a significant and powerful player in the music industry
Let me demonstrate lyrically decorate,
Allow me to showcase my talent and poetic skill
Check out the vibe that I create,
Pay attention to the atmosphere that my music generates
You want me to stop well it's too late,
I won't be silenced or interrupted
Want me to flow? Haha never mate,
I will continue to perform without hesitation
Never hesitate to drop the mic,
I won't be afraid to end my performance if necessary
I never hesitate to do what I like,
I will follow my own inspiration and passion
Never hesitate to pick up a fight,
I won't back down from a challenge or confrontation
At the things right challenging my vibe,
I welcome challenges that will help me grow as an artist
Continue? Yes I'm sure,
I will keep performing with confidence and determination
Get off my lyric and get a big roar,
Stop interrupting me and let me continue to perform confidently
Will leave you sore like a beat up whore,
My performance will be so powerful that it will leave you feeling beaten
All eyes them after a ten pound draw,
Everyone is watching my performance
Fighting lyrics was against the law,
Challenging my talents or lyrical abilities is not acceptable
Be lame right now when the girl's so flawed,
It's foolish to insult me when I am so talented
Eating bread and water,
I am not interested in material wealth
My living went out to slaughter,
My artistic lifestyle comes at a cost
With an order,
I am determined to continue
Have you come to a decision?
Do you understand what I'm saying?
Yes she's going to (oh shit)
You're going to regret challenging me
Don't send me there
Don't push me too far
The beef for my living just to get you no what,
I am committed to my artistic career, even if it means facing adversities
Don't really care write what I like,
I won't be influenced by others' opinions or expectations
So you better prepare,
Be ready for my powerful performance
Oh yeah be aware
Be on alert for my talent and skill
[Chorus]
I am asking for a quiet audience while I perform
Yo a little bit of shh for me,
I am asking for the audience to be quiet for my performance
A little bit of quiet for the MC,
I am the MC and I am asking for a quiet audience
Make way for the S.O.V.,
Make way for me, the Sovereign
Now shut your mouth for the MC
Please be quiet and let me perform
A little bit hush for me
Please be quiet while I perform
Right now it's the S.O.V.
I am currently performing as the Sovereign
Right, haha
I'm confident and ready to perform
Don't joke with us small folk
Don't underestimate me or disrespect my talent
Yo I've had one nightstand,
I have had casual romantic encounters
What you think of mic stands,
What is your opinion of the stage setup?
Right now how it sounds I got a very hard hands (oww)
I am currently performing with a powerful and forceful voice
An acoustic band on hand all the time,
I have musicians accompanying me
All my fans I'm in trouble uh-oh
My fans love me so much that they can be overwhelming
That sound pollution man got down,
My music is so loud and powerful that it is like pollution
Well I make up noise like pots and pans,
I am creative and use unconventional methods to make music
They should put my voice in an ice cream van,
My voice is so great that it should be played on an ice cream truck
That way the streets won't be bland,
My music brings excitement and color to the streets
Big-headed no, confident yes,
I am not arrogant, but I am confident in my abilities
I must confess well I'm never gonna rest,
I am constantly driven to create and perform
Well unless I don't want to mess,
I will only take a break when I choose to
Here comes the press!!
The media is interested in me and my talents
Another damn reporter,
More reporters are trying to interview me
Obsessed with my disorder,
They are focused on any perceived flaws or issues I may have
Diagnosis please what's wrong with that girl?
They are trying to find something wrong with me
She's ill
They are implying that I have some sort of problem
Nah she's sick
But they are wrong and just trying to create drama
[Chorus]
I am asking for a quiet audience while I perform
It's ok, it's alright you, you can start making some noise now if you like, you know what i mean right?
I am giving permission to the audience to react to my performance
I'm not going to go completely off the rail you know what I mean? Ha thankyou
I won't go too wild or out of control
Hey! [whistle] alright calm down please
I am asking the audience to quiet down
Alright now a little bit of shh.
Please be quiet for my performance
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GABRIEL OLEGAVICH, LOUISE HARMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tanya Katherine
Thank God this still exists...This is precious! Please never take this down!
zero я
@Tanya Katherine no worries. I found the video on youtube a few minutes ago. Only 100 views
Tanya Katherine
@zero я oh no :( not them too. I loved 9 to 5..
zero я
"Random" and "nine to five" videos are no longer available on YouTube :( I loved them
Mc Wise
@Dr. OJ it's called inspiration she added her own style
Mc Wise
Download the video and back it up !!
ilove puna
DAMNNN been listening to this for years and every time still gives me chills.... SOV!!!!!!
Chris Bonde
Still love this song! When our dogs bark I tell em I need a little bit of shhh.
InnyRytm
Zajebista jest, 7Lat i dalej w głośnikach :)
John McCarthy
Not gonna lie.... This is my guilty pleasure..... Make way for the SOV. .Love it 😂