Lady Sovereign Album: “Public Warning [PA]”

Lady Sovereign has taken Amercian colleges by storm and now she's ready to take over the American mainstream music industry. Her recently released Public Warning is by far the best album I've heard in a very long time. Lady SOV, as she is most often called, is fresh and new and with her eclectic style and inability to fit into any one genre this Brit is sure to make her mark in America. For those who are looking for something different this is definitely the album to buy and if you like remixes purchase her first compilation Vertically Challenged which contains the track (The Battle) that helped boost Lady Sovereign's career as well as other well known tracks and remixes. Love and support "The Biggest Midget In The Game" AKA Lady Sovereign.

Very few white female rappers seem to be able to make it in the game, possibly because they either try too hard (Sarai) or they don't try hard enough (Northern State). All arguments aside, I remember first reading about Lady Sovereign in the 2005 Love/Hate issue of XXL, and I didn't really know who she was except that she was on Def Jam. I didn't get to hear her Vertically Challenged EP, but I have to say that I enjoy her full-length debut, Public Warning.

Be advised, though: Lady Sov's style isn't best classified as "standard" rap. She's actually an English grime artist, which IS still rap, but it isn't structured the same way as rap in the States is. Fortunately, her music is more accessible than, say, Dizzee Rascal's; and although her thick accent is wholly evident within her rhymes, it's easier to stand than, say, the Streets'. Notable tracks include "9 to 5", "Fiddle with the Volume" and, of course, "Love Me or Hate Me".

There is also a necessary end-of-album remix-of-the-first-single featuring Missy Elliott, and although it's good, it seems like Missy just changed her style to suit Sov's (but Missy changes her style on every song she does anyway, so maybe that's not that big of a deal). But the only real problem with the album is that there are a lot of otherwise great songs that have questionable choruses, especially "Blah Blah Blah". "Random" seems like a bad attempt to introduce new slang, and the chorus to "Tango" doesn't make any sense. But there are still enough good moments to qualify Lady Sovereign as a force not to be reckoned with, so pick Public Warning up.

Anthony Rupert

I used to be a "fan" of rap (among other music, of course) during the mid/ late nineties - you know, a time when mainstream rappers like tupac, biggie, nas, and outkast were putting out quality music. Fast forward to 2006, and although the times have changed, mainstream rappers are still rapping like it's the 90s; objectifying women, pushing products, and insulting each other with lame, boring beats. I gave up on rap for the past 6 years or so, that is until I heard Lady Sovereign's album.

Lady Sovereign has a better flow than any female rapper I've ever listened to (and yes I know about Jean Grae, etc) and a better flow than most any mainstream rapper today. Her songs, although considered "rap" have elements of jungle, electronic, and reggae sprinkled throughout. It's because of the various musical influences and amazing beats that the greater part of this album is danceable in addition to being fun to listen to. So thanks for allowing me to believe in rap (as an art form) again, Lady Sovereign.

To other people who are on the fence about buying this album - please buy it. It's a great high-energy album with above-average lyrics, and a flow that's on fire. We need the musical pendulum to swing this way; no more hyphy, crunk, or gangsta rap, please.

I've been a fan of Lady Sovereign for over a year now and hoped that her new tracks would stay true to her original sound. I love the new album and was happy that some of the older tracks like 9 to 5 and Hoodie were included since they were not on 'Vertically Challenged'.

Here's how I rate the album:

#1 - 9 to 5 - This is the first SOV song I heard. Seen the video on IMF and have been hooked ever since. People who compare her to eminem are completly wrong, she's in a league of her own.

#2 - Gatheration - Love the base track and the rhymes. Great song.

#3 - Random - This has been my favorite SOV song.

#4 - Public Warning - Love the tempo changes in her track and rhymes. (My two boys favorite track) It's insane how fast she can spit words out.

#5 - Love Me Or Hate Me - Love SOV's sound, love the base track, love the video. Nothing to hate here.

#6 - My England - Fun song though not one of my favorites.

#7 - Tango - Loooove the base track but the subject ????. This song is slowly growing on me.

#8 - A Little Bit Of Shhh - A great song. Also available on 'Vertically Challenged' with a remix.

#9 - Hoodie - This song is probably my second favorite track. Great song to dance to.

#10 - Those Were The Days - A slow down track. Not one of my favorites.

#11 - Blah Blah - Love the song, sooo SOV. F the critics. She is NO Feminem.

#12 - Fiddle with the Volume - A great song that is also available on 'Vertically Challnged' as a remix.

#13 - Love Me Or Hate Me feat. Missy Elliott - Missy ruined this track. Her style is completely wrong for this song. Luckily Missy's interuption is short. Love SOV, Hate Missy.

Buy this album along with her Vertically Challenged EP and you'll be hooked.

I'll always be a Lady Sovereign fan if she'll keep true to her original sound and not try to sound like the main stream [...] America listens to. Lady Sov's one of a kind!

This album is fantastic!! There is only two songs on the album I would consider throwaways, My England and Those Were the Days. Otherwise the album is great, with beats that are inventive and S-O-V really stepping it up a notch. This girl is just going to keep getting better and better so remember her name.