Interview: Introducing the "Mischievous" Lady Sovereign

When Lady Sovereign hit the indie hip-hop scene she represented a Cinderella story with edge. I mean come on, she is a female, British rapper discovered by Jay-Z, signed to the legendary Def-Jam Records and she got to tour/open shows for Gwen Stefani! Sovereign is back with a new disc, a new record label and even a slightly new sound. I caught up with her in New York and we chatted about all the new things happening to the "Lady".

Associated Content: Your latest disc "Jigsaw" sound a bit different than "Public Warning". You seem to have some different sounds happening on the new record. Why the sudden change up?

Lady Sovereign: Whenever I get into the studio I always want to do something different. I just love music -- I love weird sounds. My parents were always listening to weird, different music. My mother was into punk and then she was a raver for a while -- there was a little bit of everything going on in my house.

AS: Who would you say is one of your biggest influences in hip-hop?

LS: Missy Elliot has been my biggest influence -- at least the stuff she did in the 90's.

AS: Why did you decide to leave Def Jam and start your own label?

LS: Hmm -- I just became tired of all the repetition -- the interviews, promotional stuff -- all of it just became a grind. It became work. I didn't get anytime for myself...I had no time to write new music. I just stopped showing up to things after awhile. I have always been the type of person where when I don't feel like doing something I just don't do it plain and simple -- we (the label and I) just got tired of each other.

AS: Well how do you feel about doing interviews nowadays? Its ok you can be honest!

LS: HA! Well I am always going to hate doing them especially if I have a ton to do in a row! I know there are certain things I am going to have to do that I may not want to do -- I will do the interviews but there are just going to be times when I need to do my own thing.

AS: With regards to doing your own thing, is this how you got your reputation for being a little Bratty?

LS: HA! I'm not a brat. I think I am just a little mischievous that's all

AS: Give me an example of you being "mischievous".

LS: Well I was waiting to do this other interview and the people were just running late. After a while I just decided I wasn't going to do the interview -- I just got out of the car, went around the corner and I went shopping!!! See, that's mischievous!

AS: Talk to me about Midget Records. How does it feel to be running your own label?

LS: Midget Records is my own label with a distribution deal with EMI. I want to eventually sign people to my own label and expose people to some sick music -- again the label let's me do what I want because it's mine.

AS: Since getting signed to Def Jam and now branching out and doing you're own thing, do you think you have changed at all?

LS: I think I have definitely matured a bit -- I have learned a lot and I am going to try and use what I have learned to help me with Midget Records.

AS: Will we get a chance to see you on tour?

LS: I am already on tour now. I love being back on stage!! I will be playing small clubs throughout the summer and then maybe some festivals too -- I will also start writing songs for another disc!