Music Review: Lady Sovereign

Lady Sovereign, "Public Warning" (Def Jam): London's reigning rapper, Lady Sovereign, comes correct on "Public Warning." She's brassy, bossy and maintains her B-girl vibe to the fullest.

She's trotted out all the old-school tools for this offering. The 808 bass effect is a heavy presence on "Gatheration." The dense electronic percussion machine was either dusted off for this hardcore track, or nicely emulated as it backs her energetic rap technique.

One minute she's dropping rhymes about slugging back drinks and hitting the bong — the self-described pint-sized clown is going all frenetic on the title track "Public Warning." Then the electro-clash technique gives way to a high-paced ska bit. Go figure. It works.

"Random" is another good song, with a lazy buzzing melody streaming through the song. She takes playful shots at a lot of rap cliches, honoring the Humpty crew one minute and blasting Atlanta's slurring `urr' crowd the next — made most popular by Chingy's "Right Thurr" hit.

Lady Sovereign does the rap game proud, and it's nice to hear her stick to some low-fi, bass heavy tricks like Roxanne Shante and BDP's Ms. Melodie long, long before her.

• Email Story
• IM Story
• Discuss
• Printable View

RECOMMEND THIS STORY

Recommend It:

Not at All Somewhat Moderately Highly Very Highly

Average (Not Rated)

» Recommended Stories