Lady Sovereign
November 30, 2006
The State Theatre
Words: Robert Thompson
Photos: Perou

Whether you know who Lady Sovereign is or not, you probably cannot get her new single, "Love Me or Hate Me", out of your head. The spokeswoman for "chav" culture will be appearing at the State Theatre on November 30, to what will definitely be a packed house. She has had an enormous amount of success in only a few years including a number one spot on MTV's TRL and a recent Verizon Wireless commercial featuring her single.

It has taken several telephone calls, and scheduling arrangements to get this interview. Tonight she is in Boulder Colorado and I only have a short amount of time on the telephone with her. The phone rings, and her assistant makes sure I'm on the line. Another British accent comes onto phone, I ask her how she is doing on the road and the interview begins.

REAX: Everyone here in the Tampa Bay area here wants to know... are you single?
Lady Sovereign: Single?

REAX: Yes, single, do you have a boyfriend?
LS: No

REAX: Is dating hard when you travel as much as you do?
LS: Yeah, even if I do happen to meet anyone.

REAX: What kind of music did you listen to growing up?
LS: I really like jungle and drum and bass.

REAX: Being a jungle fan myself, I am not surprised.
LS: I love jungle man, massive.

REAX: So, what do you like to do for fun while you're in the U.S.?
LS: I don't get that much time off, touring and all takes up all the time. If it ain't fun I don't do it anyways.

REAX: When you first started out you got a lot of music out on pirate radio, what would you say to the opponents of pirate radio?
LS: I would say it is important to let the pirate radio people do what they want to do, when they want to do it, however they want to do it.

REAX: Excellent, you have been really popular on TRL recently; how has that been for you?
LS: It's cool you know, lots of screamin' fans, ah, shit man, I mean like having a #1 on TRL is OK... I love the fans' support.

REAX: You have a record deal now with Def Jam, what is it like having Jay -Z as your boss?
LS: Well, I am my own boss. I don't have a boss.

REAX: You have risen up pretty quickly in the music scene, what do you think will keep you moving forward?
LS: Um, I don't know, just keep carrying on the way I am now, you know, I always done my own thing, just for money now.

REAX: You have worked with every one from the Basement Jaxx, to The Streets, to D12, who would you like to work with next?
LS: Um, I don't know, Andre 3000 would be good.

REAX: What do you have planned for 2007?
LS: I don't know

REAX: Another record?
LS: Of course, I can't wait to get back into the studio again

REAX: So what is the most annoying question you have been getting with all the interviews you have done so far?
LS: Um, I don't know, I guess, "how are you finding America?"

REAX: So have you been to the states before?
LS: I have been coming for about 10 years now

REAX: Do you like to drink?
LS: Who doesn't?

REAX: Well, when you get here I'll buy you a drink. Thanks a lot for the opportunity. I cannot wait for the show at the State Theatre.
LS: Thank you, man.