Manchester is only known for a couple of things; two dodgy football teams, Take That, The Arndale Centre and a 22 year-old female MC called Envy. Danny Walker speaks to the pint-sized rapper about her forthcoming album Set Yourself on Fire…

What have you been up to this week?

Getting things ready for the album launch party next week, doing promo for the single and album release, writing and I’ve been to the cinema a few times too

And what’s happening up in Manchester these days?

A lot actually, the scene’s really come together a lot in the past few years so there’s loads of Manny artists on the rise, R.I.O, Tj Lyrics, Wrigley to name just a few. I love Manchester because wherever you go there’s a familiar face

You’ve been a round for a while now but how did you actually get started?

I came from the freestyle battle scene, the boys I used to hang about with used to battle so I got involved too, I got a rep from there, won a few big events, then I got involved with The City is Ours series of Manchester mixtapes which really took everything to the next level

You’ve sold out in Germany and played to thousands for like an hour and a half. You must be annoy with those who think you’re not established… are you sick of being compared to Lady Sovereign?

YEP. I think if people are trying to draw comparisons there are loads of other artists I am comparable to. Yeah we are both white girls I thought people would have seen past that by now, I guess the fact we have the same producer [Medasyn] doesn’t help, but our music is definitely different in style

If Lady Sovereign didn’t exist do you think you’d have got further in your career?

Nah not at all, to be honest I don’t think it affects me directly either way so much. But if anything Sov has opened doors, not just for me but for all UK artists, she was signed by Jay-Z it don’t really get much bigger than that! People don’t pay her the respect they should. There’s no reason why I can’t achieve the same success

Tell us about your album, Set Yourself on Fire and why the name?

The album musically is a mash up of all my influences, hip hop, grime, reggae, pop, indie, it was not made as a ‘crossover’ album it’s just a result of Medasyn and I vibin’ in the studio. Lyric wise it’s narrative, introspective at times, just basically me talking bout what’s on my mind, from boasting, to talking about relationships and even suicidal thoughts… its just like a trip through my head. The title ‘Set Yourself on Fire’ comes from a quote “Success is not a result of spontaneous combustion, you must set yourself on fire.” If you want something to happen you have to make it happen it won’t happen by itself, it’s a big statement to me. Too many people think they can sit on their arses and success will come, but never, you gotta put the work in

What was the last thing you set on fire?

A flyer that was in my hand about 10 minutes before doing this interview… I’m a bit of a pyromaniac.

Tell us about working with Medasyn…

It was heavy; we understand each other so the work rate is rapid. I jus’ go studio tell him what mood I’m in and what kinda style I’m feelin’ and he will jus’ knock up a beat while I write the track. We can make three fresh tracks from scratch in a day. He’s a perfectionist and is always tweaking the beats after, I like that, I’m kinda the same.

There are 15 tracks on the album, what is your favourite one?

It’s between Normal and Cocktails in Selfridges.

We’ve noticed there aren’t any features on your debut album, is that because you only wanted your own voice on there or is that because you’re difficult to work with?

[Laughs] nah I’m not difficult to work with I like working with other artists and I have, it’s just (as you probably know) a lot of people in this scene are notoriously LONG and it can become a bit of an effort getting people to finish stuff or turn up on time etc. This way it’s all on me, I am a bit of a control freak. At least now I know people are buying the CD for me and not because I have got big features on it…I’d like to do some features for my second album though

Who would you like on your next project?

There’s a few people I’m talking to, I would love to work with Nu Brand Flexx I love them guys.

What have you got in store for your gig at Cargo on the 18th? What will your fans be treated to?

MAAAAADDD energy, this is the biggest night of my career, I have been waiting SO long to put this album out so I will be goin’ in 110% on the night, I’ma be performing a lot of the album tracks as well as stuff with Tor and Pariz on top of their solo sets. Akira The Don will be keeping the vibes up and we’ve got some GRIMY DJ’s that will be playin’ the sickest tunes in between… I CANT WAIT!

We noticed you like trainers, which are your favourite pair?

YES I have a trainer fetish, my faves at the mo are some Nike Blazers, they gave me them for Big Brothers Big Mouth, I think I’ma get some new ones for the launch though so watch this space.

Who do you like better… Nicola Varley or Envy?

I am her and she is me…!? They are BOTH the sh*t.

For more information check iluvenvy.com, twitter.com/envysays and MySpace.com/envy06. And for bookings call Dave Halliwell on 07983 641 621.

Tags: Grime, Hip Hop, Interviews