Customer Reviews

Vertically Challenged

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

As a DJ in Wash., DC, I've keenly followed the evolution of beats and bass from East London, spanning from late 80s acid house parties, to hardcore "rave" breaks, then jungle, drum'n'bass, speed garage, UK garage and now grime/eski presently.

If you're looking for drum'n' bass or hip-hop this CD isn't it. But if you're a true fan of either of those genres this IS essential listening material. Lady SOV's rapid-fire Cockney slang over air horns, punchy bass and scattered breakbeats encapsulate on CD the raw pirate-radio vibe of East London that heavily influenced the rave/jungle/drum'n'bass (as well as dancehall, garage, techno) subcultures. Here in the States the totalitarian power of the FCC would never allow this to happen, but the fact that in the UK it was (and still is) somewhat tolerated, millions of Londoners have access to this music as it is made live on the airwaves every day.

For open-minded hip-hop fans, this CD yields more evidence that New York isn't the mecca of urban music culture it's made out to be. Comparing the creative diversity of music styles or the sheer volume of weekly new releases between the two cities, London easily wins. And it finally seems that Londoners know this fact (and are rightfully proud).

But hey, let's not get into NY vs London or Grime/Drum'n'Bass/Garage vs. hip-hop. Both cities and styles are influential on (and influenced by) the other. Listen to Twista, Timbaland or Missy to hear the UK influence in American hip-hop. And drum'n'bass has liberally sampled US hip-hop for over a decade, both lyrics as well as beats.

Unfortunately, the dominance of pop and mainstream r'n'b on American MTV and radio prevents many from experiencing the genius that London has to offer. Hopefully CD's such as Lady SOV's and others in this genre will bridge the differences. And now that Jay-Z has signed her, anything is possible...

Ugh! I'm so disappointed! I love Lady Sovereign. I love all the songs on this EP. But I had no idea that they would be CENSORED on this disc! All curse words and objectionable phrases have been eliminated with editing, or in some cases, alternate lyrics. LAME! This EP should carry a label identifying it as a CLEAN version so that consumers know what they're getting. Strangely, there doesn't seem to be an Explict Lyrics version available. This seems to be it. If I am wrong, I apologize, and someone please correct me, but I haven't been able to find any listings indicating both edited and explicit editions exist, which is extremely frustrating. I have heard uncensored versions of these songs, so I know they are out there. Unfortunately, they are not presented on this disc. Awful.

Five stars for Lady Sov and these songs when they're uncesnored. One star for the versions presented here.

Rap can be a very interesting genre sometimes. While it is primarily overrun with mumbling men and unintelligent lyrics now, there are certainly still some good things about it. And quite possibly the most interesting thing happening in rap is grime, which is a mostly cockney-accented british rap scene that has been growing for years and has finally begun to boom. The Streets, Dizzee Rascal, Wiley, Shystie, Kano...just a few of the names. But the artist that i think will get the largest amount of attention comes in the smallest package: a 5'1 19 yr old white british girl who goes by the name of Lady Sovereign.

Her accent delivers the cheekiest of lyrics and the some of the beats in these songs are some of the best i have heard in a good while. She has been releasing songs on EPs and online for a couple years now, and her talent caught the attention of one very notable MC: Jay-Z, an extremely talented and powerful rapper, and who also has his own record label. He flew Lady Sov out to rap for him, and signed her. She then released Vertically Challenged, and the interest in her has been growing ever since. Now for the review of the material.

"Random" starts the album off right. Right from the beginning you feel the smile coming to your mouth. She deftly crafts awesome beats, a whole host of mockeries of American rap, and a sense of fun dance music. Definitely a great intro. "Chi Ching" is a little more poppy, and a little bit of a decline from Random, but few disappointments in this song. "Fiddle with the Volume" is actually my least favorite song. It is fun and it delivers the same amount of cheeky british lines, but it isn't quite up to par with the rest of the album. "Random (Remix)" is a great song. I like the original more, but this has a better beat for clubs.

"A Little Bit of SHHH" is a great song with a ton of bass and a ton of hooks, with a great set of beats in the background. Definitely one of the favorites. AH, and then comes "The Battle". This is not only my favorite song on the album, but it is my favorite rap/hiphop song ever. It is about 8 minutes long, and it is a boys v. girls themed rap battle, with Lady Sov and Shystie in the girls' corner and Frost P and Zuz Rock in the guys'. The beat is a simple but infectious one, but once the rapping begins the music doesn't even matter. Frost P, a master rapper in all ways, starts it off, and it doesn't lose your attention all the way through the song. Lady Sovereign delivers her normal cheek, Shystie is plays the part of the tough female rapper, Zuz Rock easily impresses, and Frost P shines as the most talented rapper with ease. Listen to this one, and you will be hooked, I promise. "A Little Bit of SHHH (Remix)", along with the next remix "Fiddle With the Volume (Remix), are both better than the original. It delivers the same amazing flow and great lyrics, but has much better beats to go along with them. Dance club hits are written all over these songs.

I have been listening to this album for a good three months, and i am still intensely in love with it. Ms Sovereign has proven herself to be one of the most talented and interesting rappers to come out in recent years. My few complaints are: 1) The fact that if you don't include remixes, this album only has 5 songs. 2) She did not, to remedy this, include some of her other amazing songs that she has posted on EPs and online. Other than that, I hope you buy this an join me in the ranks of those waiting with much anticipation to watch this artist's future.

This is a great album, featuring some of Lady Sov's best stuff. Anyone interested in non-mainstream hip-hop needs to listen to this. This is a London sound, far removed from the money rap coming out of the US, concerned with nothing but 'bling' and 'hos'. I'm not sure how well Lady Sov will be received in the US, given that many of her lyrics are slams against the US' cultural imperialism. Lyrics from 'Random' like "Well, im right thur/Na' tell a lie cus 'm Right there/Right hurr, Na' right here/Now get off your churr, I mean Chair", mocking the use of American rap-isms, are in clear opposition to mainstream American hip-hop culture.

If you like listening to guys talking bull about their money and women, go listen to 50 Cent or Chingy. If you want something more authentic, if you want to hear what resistance to hip-hop homogeneity sounds like, listen to this album.

This pint-sized potentate of rap is like a female, slightly more diminutive Eminem...I don't know much about hip hop, so I don't have the vocabulary, but LS lets off some great, hilarious streams of Cockney rhyming...(aside: how come no female rapper has called herself "Mad Flo"? - wouldn't that be a great name? Reminds me of George Costanza's contention, in Seinfeld, that if he were an adult film star, his moniker would be, "Buck Naked".)

Lady rox! Ch-Ching!

1- Random- It's her hit single. But it's the worst song on the album. What I mean is it rox- all the other ones are just better. ( it did get me out of my seat)

2- Ch Ching- Unlike Random, BEST SONG ON THE ALBUM!. Upbeat, and a 2- second sample will get you out of your seat!

3- Fiddle With The Volume- Fiddle of the roof- I get bored just typing it. Fiddle With the volume- YES! ROX!

4-A Little Bit Of Shh- I wonder if she said like a little bit of f**k for me or something or if it's meant to be shh duh shh

5- The Battle- Good but with a 30 second sample I never heard Lady.

6- Random Remix- Better.

7- A Little Bit Of Shh Remix- Better than first.

8- Fiddle With The Volume Remix- Good but first is better.

Hiphop as a genre is so wide spread and international that sometimes we get wonderful creative jems like Lady Sovereign. She is not only lyrically impressive, but the mixes of electronics on all her tracks will get you moving, which is basically what she sets out to do. I dont know much about the hip hop insprised grime scene in the UK, but i will definitely be keeping on eye out now. And i will patiently await for S.O.V. debut US album.

Favorite Track, though all of it is really good, will have to be "The Battle" feature other grime scene artists like Shystie, Zuz Rock, and Frost P spitting the wildest (barely understandable lol) rhymes ive heard. No men and women have battled against each other like this, especially for the listening public.

How ever, no one should compare SOV to anyone (Missy or M.I.A.) All emcees, particularly female one have a different style and should be prasied for such. SOV has a style totally different from anything ive heard to date. It's refreashing to see a new spin on HipHop.

S-O-V! i've had this disc for almost a year and still listen to it several times a week. she's funny and spits strong rhymes over tight beats. its tough to pick just one track as a fave, "the battle" seems to be #1 for most, but "fiddle with the volume" really showcases Sov's flow. but beware gangsta-rap fans, this is not tough-guy, bling, guns, drugs, rides & hoes (c)rap. Sov had a rough childhood in London, but this ain't no pity party - she laughs at herself (even when she talks about not having a decent place to sleep and her cat dying) and her jabs at others are clever. pick up this disc if you are looking for a few giggles and something fun to bob your head to. can't wait for Public Warning (on Def Jam!) - due out 10/03/06. i have no doubt she's got 50 more things to say, in a cheeky kinda way.

Yep, the girl can rhyme but the real star here is the production. Somewhere between garage, jungle, and hip-hop, these beats just keep on coming. Completely different than everything out right now. Ok, so 'Random' has a Diwali-type rhythm...it's been flipped on it's ear. I can't wait to hear what comes next.

A white british girl with a side ponytail doing an impression of a jamaican yodeller. It's not a drug-induced hallucination, it's Lady Sovereign. Surreal insanity to the max. I luv it.