Jentina

Jentina, a British female MC frequently eclipsed by the greater commercial success of Lady Sovereign, drew more tabloid attention than chart traction, largely because of her rock-star partner and candid demeanor. She entered the world inside a caravan in Woking before her Romany mother relocated the household—comprising thirteen siblings—to a Surrey residence. Departing home early, she took a factory position assembling switches and saved enough wages for a journey to Miami. There she served as spokesperson for a modeling agency and, introduced to Nas recordings by her brother, cultivated a passion for hip-hop. Returning to London, she was noticed by manager Dave Rorrell as she performed original material at the Soho clothing shop where she was employed. Virgin Records subsequently signed her, issuing the 2004 debut single “Bad Ass Strippa.” Drawing from the O’Jays’ “For the Love of Money,” the track earned enthusiastic Radio 1 airplay yet peaked at number 22. Follow-up “French Kisses,” penned by Cathy Dennis, adopted a brighter pop style and climbed two positions higher, but a terse, one-word appearance on CD:UK proved disastrous, after which Jentina issued no further U.K. releases. Her third single, “Mysterious,” nevertheless topped charts in Italy, as did the identically titled album, while several songs were featured in the American series CSI: New York. Amusement ensued when fellow MC Lady Sovereign lampooned the debut hit via “Sad Arse Strippa.” In 2007 Jentina appeared as a Maxim pin-up and starred in a tongue-in-cheek Wonderbra commercial.