Released October 17, 2006 Genre Grime, hip hop Label Def Jam | Recorded 2006 Length 3:29 | |
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Format CD single, 12" vinyl, digital download | ||
"Love Me or Hate Me" is the sixth single from UK grime artist Lady Sovereign and the fourth from her debut album Public Warning. The single was confirmed for release by her official website and was released in October 2006. The song was produced by Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald. The video features Lady Sovereign appearing in Tetris-style blocks, and acting out certain lyrics of the song.
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The song became the first song by a British rap artist to ever reach number 1 on MTV's TRL, as well as being heard in a TV spot for Verizon Wireless. In addition, it peaked at number 45 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it Lady Sovereign's first single to chart in the U.S. In 2007, the song debuted at number 48 in UK Singles Chart, later peaking at number 26, becoming her highest charting solo hit to date within the UK. Blender ranked it as the 32nd best song of 2006. A remix is available featuring Missy Elliott.
The song has sold over 750,000 copies in the US. The song has been featured as the theme song for the Oxygen Channel's reality show The Bad Girls Club. It can also be heard in the video game Need for Speed: Carbon, and in an episode of the ABC TV series Ugly Betty. It was also featured on the season 4 episode "The Metamorphis" of the teen drama series The O.C..
Commercial performance
"Love Me or Hate Me" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 the week of October 28, 2006 at number 81. Three weeks later, it peaked at number 45 the week of November 18, staying on the chart for nine weeks.
Music video
Directed by Brian Beltric (who previously directed videos for the Black Eyed Peas), the video features Lady Sovereign in London acting out certain parts of the song's lyrics. Intercut are scenes of Lady Sovereign appearing and disappearing in Tetris-style blocks.