Jay-Z, much like 50 Cent, is focused on expanding his Def Jam brand and roster. The next move on S. Carter's agenda is to stake a claim in the bubbling world of British hip-hop -- and the first to draw Jay's attention is grime queen, Lady Sovereign.
Already buzzing in the U.K.'s underground hip-hop scene, Lady Sovereign is becoming what is known as grime's first female breakout star. For U.S. hip-hop heads who are not familiar with grime, its a subgenre of Britain's underground "garage" scene, and is typically recognized for its rapid-fire rhymes over stark, dance-influenced beats, according to DelawareOnline.
Grime has been around for several years, but has reached the mainstream due to artists such as Dizzee Rascal and the So Solid Crew.
Poised to be the next breakout grime artist, 19-year-old Lady Sovereign garnered the attention of Jay-Z after a recent New York show and had the retired emcee instantly hooked, signing her on the spot.
"We spoke for a little bit, then he asked me to do some lyrics," the female emcee said in a recent interview. "I was like 'Aarrgh!' That just freaked me out, but it was cool."
And cool is right. With Jay-Z as your co-signer, anything is possible.
Lady Sovereign recently released her U.S. debut EP, Vertically Challenged, on Chocolate Industries. Her debut album, tentatively titled Public Warning, is scheduled for a spring 2006 release.
Already buzzing in the U.K.'s underground hip-hop scene, Lady Sovereign is becoming what is known as grime's first female breakout star. For U.S. hip-hop heads who are not familiar with grime, its a subgenre of Britain's underground "garage" scene, and is typically recognized for its rapid-fire rhymes over stark, dance-influenced beats, according to DelawareOnline.
Grime has been around for several years, but has reached the mainstream due to artists such as Dizzee Rascal and the So Solid Crew.
Poised to be the next breakout grime artist, 19-year-old Lady Sovereign garnered the attention of Jay-Z after a recent New York show and had the retired emcee instantly hooked, signing her on the spot.
"We spoke for a little bit, then he asked me to do some lyrics," the female emcee said in a recent interview. "I was like 'Aarrgh!' That just freaked me out, but it was cool."
And cool is right. With Jay-Z as your co-signer, anything is possible.
Lady Sovereign recently released her U.S. debut EP, Vertically Challenged, on Chocolate Industries. Her debut album, tentatively titled Public Warning, is scheduled for a spring 2006 release.
