On Sunday night, the self-proclaimed “biggest midget in the game” took the stage at the Paradise (prior to its recent sale). At 5’1” Louise Harman (a.k.a. British rapper Lady Sovereign), dominated with crass, innovative lyrics in her typical vulgar yet awesome demeanor that included burping and grabbing her chest. All shapes and sizes showed out for the lyricist’s third stop on her North American tour—from Allston/Brighton hipsters to preppy young professionals to 50-something couples (one youthful-looking grandma even mouthed the lyrics to a few songs).
SOV’s opening act, Chicago-based Hollywood Holt, had to “cancel for some reason” according to Louise, who worked her own merch table. That’s right, this down-to-earth bird helped sell her own t-shirts and CDs (saying “she’d always wanted to try this” about using the credit card machine). Holt's backup, DJ Annalyze, opened the night by mixing and scratching a mélange of leading ladies such as Santigold, MIA, and Salt-n-Pepa, as well as fellahs like Naughty By Nature, Bell Biv Devoe (!!), and Fifty Cent, keeping all bodies in the venue in motion. The crowd also dug Annalyze's take on The Marvellettes’ “Please Mr. Postman.”
Post contributed by Cat Mooney.
Lady Sovereign came out (wearing a monkey hat) to drum beats by Ryan Simmonds, like she meant to evoke lyrics from one of her openers, “Love Me or Hate Me”: “I'm that funky little monkey with the tiniest ears/ I don't like drinkin fancy champy, I'll stick with Heineken beers.” And down Heinkens she did (and sprayed them over the audience). She delivered with verve despite warning the crowd that she was sick and might throw up (though she did run off stage for a few seconds looking a bit green at a later point). Cameras flashed as she strutted to different sides of the stage and thanked a fan for the t-shirt they gave her to wear for the show (with a design of mummy coming out of a tape).
SOV followed up with a cover of Metro Station’s “Shake It” and attacked the crowd with “Bang Bang” and “I Got You Dancing” off her newly-released Jigsaw, then calmed things down with “So Human” and “Jigsaw,” which she actually sang. And she didn’t forget early favorites that made us fall for her, either, playing “Random” and “Public Warning.” T’was a shame she didn’t have room for “Food Play” or “Tango,” but there is only so much time in a set (hint, though: give these songs a listen).
As SOV rhymed early in the night, “If you love me, then thank you / If you hate me, then fuck you.” She could take or leave those who aren’t down with her, but it’s hard to see that happening. Besides being a silly bundle of feistiness and bravado, she comes off as real and grounded and who can’t relate to or appreciate that? Definitely consider her girl-crush-worthy.
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