Backstage

Lady Sovereign

April 2009 | Hip hop

Lady Sovereign is back in business with a new album and a new label. After mixing it with the hip hop cognoscenti on her debut album, 2006's "Public Warning" - she was signed to Def Jam, and label boss Jay Z famously closed down Times Square in New York for the launch of her album - Sov has returned with a killer record - self-released on her new label Midget Records. We wanted to find out more about the new record and her new label set up, so we spoke to Lady Sovereign to get the lowdown...

The Interview

What have you been up to since your first album release a few years ago?

I took a year off after epic international tours with Gwen Stefani and Akon; I was exhausted, brain-dead and pissed off with the workload. Then I got back in the studio last summer and made this album "Jigsaw", set up my label Midget Records and now I'm out doing interviews, shows and trying to get everyone and their mother to buy "Jigsaw"!

How much of a culture shock was it to go from living on a council estate in North London to working with the likes of Jay Z and Pharrell Williams?

Probably less then you'd think. Pharrell and Jay are regular guys, they're both cool dudes. People are people, like Gwen for example is one of the nicest most down to earth people you'd ever meet, some people on my old Chalkhill Estate have more ego than supposed "stars". Living in hotel rooms for a while was difficult but you get used to everything and travelling, seeing the world's been real nice.

What kept you grounded in this period?

Probably that I've never really been a material person or wanted to be a celebrity. It's nice to stay in good hotels and be able to buy my mates a drink, but I've never been one for jewellery or cars or s*** like that. I do this to make music and perform, the other stuff ain't that important to me.

You describe yourself as not being an "average" rapper. What sets you apart from the rest?

I'm smaller! Haha! I don't brag, I have fun and make people laugh. I'm not out to prove how tough or rich I am, I'm an entertainer.

What do you think of the UK scene at the moment? There are a few grime artists coming into the mainstream now...

It's not great but better than it has been. Artists like Dizzee Rascal have adapted their style to [the wider] public taste, which is good and smart. The UK rappers who just do straight hip hop or grime will struggle to break out the underground.

You're in charge now, with your new label Midget Records.

I always made the music I wanted to make even when I was signed to a major label; it was the promotion and marketing I didn't have enough control of. Now I control those bits too and just do the things I want to do... Like this interview!!

Is Midget Records the start of a new empire for you? Are you looking to sign other acts to the label and work with them?

I'm looking to sign other artists and produce more music on Midget Records, but right now we are just focused on putting out my album, and then once that is hopefully doing well we can look at some other projects.... one thing at a time!

You've hooked up with Medasyn again for your new album - has this helped you get back into things?

Medasyn's great, he's my partner in crime and really understands me. It helped get me creative and passionate about being in the studio again.

There is quite a variety of style on the album, what are the top tracks, the ones to look out for?

"Jigsaw" is my personal fave, it's very different for me - I sing! But it's beautiful and was nice to work with real strings and try something different. I also like "Pennies". That's a hard track that sounds huge in a club. I like all the tracks, I'm proud of the album. It's not just one genre but has a bit of everything, something for everyone.

You've fitted in a lot in your life already and your only 23 - what does the next five years of your career hold for you?

Who knows? I just want to keep making music, performing and having fun. I try to live in the moment and not get carried away but hopefully I'll be alright!