Sovereign isn’t the only British woman to make waves on this side of the Atlan-tic. The Sri Lankan-born M.I.A. topped critics’ lists after the release of her first full-length CD, “Arular.” And Lily Allen’s recent U.K. debut has already created a huge buzz here. (Its stateside release is in January.) Their styles are radically different, but each incorporates some measure of rap and street beats. These three for-mer underground faves represent some of the freshest and most creative hip-hop/pop/Bollywood/East Indian/ska/new-wave hybrids around.
Yet all three hold tight to their British identities: M.I.A. raps about London immigrant life, Lily Allen name-checks the British supermarket chain Tescoand Lady Sovereign busts rhymes in a thick working-class accent. She makes fun of peers who’ve adopted an American accent in their songs. “Some English MCs get it twisted/start sayin’ ‘cookies’ instead of ‘biscuits’.”
Though Sovereign looks like Sporty Spice (if Sporty Spice could actually kick your a–), she still wooed Def Jam’s CEO with her skills. “I had to go to Jay-Z’s office and spit some lyrics in front of him,” Sovereign recalls. “For some reason, L. A. Reid and Usher were there too. I was so scared, I choked halfway through–where your throat closes up and you feel like you’re gonna cry? I had to start over. I’m surprised it went well.” And so are the folks who assumed that England would never, ever rock the mike.
