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.
Whispers
Lady Sovereign Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't give a shit
Cause every word I spit, well I mean it
I've got a long nose that pulls my pack
But still I know you're feeling it
Who me, your love? Don't talk
Cause I make you better by showing you
No, Don't, you need it
Flicks like a tracker
Wanna do things proper
Okey-dokey,
Remember when you used to tell me no
Now you're telling me you don't wanna move slow
It's a mutual feeling
Good the feelings that I'm feeling are
Making me look to the ceiling
Leaving me dreaming
All my painful luck I was teething
I'll be your smurfette
Your little darling, all dressed in blue
We can run the circle or shit 'til it hurt
Just me and you
Pillow fight, pillow talk
I'll touch you in your sleep
Well, still I might
Now of course, I walk right in your dreams
I know who you are
And I know you're far
But you're close to my heart
So let me serenade you with my bars
But still I care
I'm here, you're there
So when I shout it sounds like whispers (whispers)
I know who you are
And I know you're far
But you're close to my heart
So let me serenade you with these bars
But still I care
I'm here, you're there
So when I shout it sounds like whispers (whispers)
[Dial tone]
"Come on, answer your phone, man."
"You never answer it."
"How do I get to speak to you anymore?"
(The person you called is not available.)
"I don't know, first malkin."
(Please leave your message after the tone.)
You ain't making this easy
You're taking a piss
That's about eight phone calls
Of mine that you've missed
By tomorrow, it'll be twenty-six
Maybe I should stop, I feel like a div
I know what this is, this is stupid
I swear, I wanna beat up cupid
There's my heart in bits, that's what you did
Now I've gotta start a new team
Let's start again
Let's start and spend something I don't wanna do
Boo-hoo, my tears fall for you
I think, someone else, I wasn't being cruel to you
"Yeah, well, I'm gonna be that cheeky bitch (I don't know)."
"But now I'm in bits."
"You know how I feel, you know what it is."
I know who you are
And I know you're far
But you're close to my heart
So let me serenade you with my bars
But still I care
I'm here, you're there
So when I shout it sounds like whispers (whispers)
I know who you are
And I know you're far
But you're close to my heart
So let me serenade you with these bars
But still I care
I'm here, you're there
So when I shout it sounds like whispers (whispers)
Whispers (whispers)
Whispers (whispers)
Whispers (whispers)
Whispers (whispers)
Whispers (whispers)
I walk right in your dreams
Whispers (whispers)
I know who you are
And I know you're far
But you're close to my heart
So let me serenade you with my bars
But still I care
I'm here, you're there
So when I shout it sounds like whispers (whispers)
I know who you are
And I know you're far
But you're close to my heart
So let me serenade you with these bars
But still I care
I'm here, you're there
So when I shout it sounds like whispers (whispers)
The song "Whispers" by Lady Sovereign is about a distant romantic relationship where the singer expresses her feelings to her partner with hopes of reconciliation by serenading him with her bars. The song is self-referential as the singer acknowledges her unpopularity with her audience, claiming that every word she spits is real, regardless of the cheesiness. She admits to her vulnerabilities by exposing her insecurities about her long nose that pulls her back but still believes her partner is feeling her.
She goes on to reiterate her love for him and how he has changed due to their relationship, she acknowledges the mutual feelings between them and how they make her look up in dreamy admiration. Lady Sovereign expresses a desire to be with her significant other, even if it means being smurfette or doing silly activities like pillow fights or talking in their sleep. However, despite her efforts, her partner seems to ignore her calls, making her feel rejected and vulnerable, as she tries to navigate a new team.
In summary, "Whispers" is a song about longing for a distant relationship that is losing its spark, and the need to reconnect and rekindle the once passionate love that existed between them. Lady Sovereign's lyrics reveal her vulnerability, insecurities, and determination to save her relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm about to go cheesy
I am going to express my love in an emotional, perhaps corny way
I don't give a shit
I am unapologetically expressing myself without caring what others think
Cause every word I spit, well I mean it
I am speaking the truth from my heart with every word I say
I've got a long nose that pulls my pack
I have a unique physical trait that may make me stand out or feel self-conscious
But still I know you're feeling it
Despite my insecurities, I know that you feel the love that I am expressing
Who me, your love? Don't talk
Don't deny that you love me because I can see it in your actions
Cause I make you better by showing you
My love for you elevates and improves you as a person
How much love I got for you
I have a lot of love for you and I want you to know it
No, Don't, you need it
Don't deny my love because you need it in your life
Flicks like a tracker
I am observant and perceptive, able to detect changes in your mood or behavior
Wanna do things proper
I want to show you my love in a respectful and appropriate way
Okey-dokey
Alright, let's get started
Remember when you used to tell me no
In the past, you may have rejected me or my advances
Now you're telling me you don't wanna move slow
Now you are indicating that you want to start a romantic relationship with me without taking things slowly
It's a mutual feeling
We both share the same feelings for each other
Good the feelings that I'm feeling are
The love and affection that I am experiencing are positive and good for me
Making me look to the ceiling
My feelings of love and euphoria are overwhelming, causing me to look at the ceiling in awe
Leaving me dreaming
My feelings for you are so strong that I spend my time daydreaming about you
All my painful luck I was teething
I have experienced difficulties and challenges in the past, but I am now growing and maturing
I'll be your smurfette
I will be the female partner in our relationship, willing to wear something like a Smurfette costume to make you happy
Your little darling, all dressed in blue
I will be your sweet and affectionate partner, willing to dress up or do anything to make you happy
We can run the circle or shit 'til it hurt
We can do anything together and have fun, even if it's silly or painful
Just me and you
It's just the two of us in this relationship and we don't need anyone else
Pillow fight, pillow talk
We can have playful and intimate moments in bed together
I'll touch you in your sleep
I will intimately touch you while you sleep
Well, still I might
I may still be hesitant or unsure about initiating physical intimacy
Now of course, I walk right in your dreams
I am always present in your subconscious, even in your dreams
I know who you are
I know you intimately and understand your personality and behavior
And I know you're far
You may be far away from me geographically, but you are always close to my heart
So let me serenade you with my bars
I want to express my love for you through my music and lyrics
But still I care
I still love and care for you despite any obstacles or distance between us
I'm here, you're there
We may be separated physically, but our love and connection remain strong
So when I shout it sounds like whispers (whispers)
Even when I express my love loudly and passionately, it may seem like a whisper because of the distance between us
[Dial tone]
There is a sound of a disconnected call
"Come on, answer your phone, man."
I am frustrated that you are not picking up the phone and answering my calls
"You never answer it."
You are not picking up my calls or responding to my messages
"How do I get to speak to you anymore?"
I am feeling helpless and unable to reach you or communicate with you
(The person you called is not available.)
A recorded message that the person is not able to take your call
"I don't know, first malkin."
A meaningless phrase used as an attempt to make contact with the caller
(Please leave your message after the tone.)
A recorded message requesting the caller to leave a message after the beep
You ain't making this easy
You are making it difficult for me to communicate with you and express my love
You're taking a piss
You are teasing or mocking my attempts to reach you
That's about eight phone calls
I have called you multiple times without response
Of mine that you've missed
You have not answered or returned my phone calls
By tomorrow, it'll be twenty-six
I will continue to try to reach you and communicate my love despite being ignored
Maybe I should stop, I feel like a div
I am feeling embarrassed and foolish for continuing to try to communicate with you
I know what this is, this is stupid
I understand that my attempts to reach you may be misguided or foolish
I swear, I wanna beat up cupid
I am feeling frustrated and angry at the idea of love or fate controlling my emotions
There's my heart in bits, that's what you did
You have broken my heart or caused me emotional pain
Now I've gotta start a new team
I need to move on and start a new romantic relationship with someone else
Let's start again
Let's try to communicate and start our romantic relationship anew
Let's start and spend something I don't wanna do
Let's try new things and experiences together, even if they are out of my comfort zone
Boo-hoo, my tears fall for you
I am crying and feeling sad because of my love for you
I think, someone else, I wasn't being cruel to you
I am interested in someone else romantically, but I don't want to hurt you or lead you on
"Yeah, well, I'm gonna be that cheeky bitch (I don't know)."
I am unsure what to say in response to your confession of love
"But now I'm in bits."
I am feeling emotional and overwhelmed by your confession of love
"You know how I feel, you know what it is."
You are aware of my mixed feelings towards you and our potential romantic relationship
Whispers (whispers)
Repeat of the chorus that even when expressing loudly, it may seem like a whisper due to the distance between them
Contributed by Noah G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
simon makinde
Amazing song!! Wish she’d make a come back...
Renay Favors
Love her so much ❤️
aaliyah
i am in love with sov she is the best and i love this song
SuperJazmine12
This song is amaazing(:
nica171
♥ All that needs said
GoodnightMoon518
I'm fucken over obsessed with sov <3
zoraxpower
this song aint bad its very good
Lola Z
Nevíte kde se dá stáhnout já jí nemůžu najít..x( Jinak Good song!!<3
Cydney Beagley
love you sov :) x
nancy j
he toung looks demented-but whatever lol she freaking awsome!~~