Lady Sovereign - Love Me Or Hate Me
[Island]

Is Lady Sovereign even still going? Well if you're a British fan, chances are you'll have long forgotten about the self proclaimed "biggest midget in the game", as this pint-sized rapper has been riding a wave of success in the States and ignoring her established fanbase on these very shores.

Upon being picked-up by the seminal Def Jam label (the guys who gave us such classic hip hop albums by Run DMC, Public Enemy and Beastie Boys), SOV has been touring the US like crazy, had her music soundtrack Mobile phone adverts and even managed to drop an LP in the process (October's Public Warning). Now her sights are on her home turf, with this single Love Me Or Hate Me being a prelude to the UK release of the album.

Compared to past killer moments like the classic Ch-Ching or the Roxanne Shante-flavoured party anthem Random, the track likes the same bite and it even appears Lady Sovereign has fallen foul to over-produced mainstream hip hop. The Missy-inspired beats are slick, the production even slicker and the entire thing is clearly aimed at daytime radio airplay.

Lyrically, SOV's in her usual witty form but with lines as cheesy as "I got hairy armpits, but I don't walk around like this" and "Never had my nails done...I'm the one with the non-existent bum", it's as though she's written a song will the sole purpose of appealing to a mass audience of angsty teens, who are rebelling at the barbie-doll celeb image.

The track definitely has commercial appeal and could make Lady Sovereign a star in her native country. It's just a shame the song is so weak compared to the vast majority of her Public Warning album. If anything, avoid the single but pick-up the LP just for great songs like the two already mentioned.

Track Listing:

1. Love Me Or Hate Me
2. Love Me Or Hate Me (Feat. Missy Elliot Remix)
3. Love Me Or Hate Me (Jason Nevins Remix)