Soom T-ing Unique

A one woman musical movement is rising from the Underground MC Scene to wake up the mind and soul of the commercial world. Soom T, otherwise known as Sumati Bhardwaj, has been garnering a significant following for her unique vocal talents and fast rapping. Having sold over 100,000 records with her politically motivated and eclectic mix of jazz, hip hop, and electro funk collaborations, you really don't know what to expect from this crazy Glaswegian lass.

Soom T left home at the age of 15 to brave the harsh realities of living in hostels and youth homes. She has always been passionate about getting a voice to the people who are ignored and neglected by society, and her political awareness and intelligence are apparent in her lyrics. Her experiences of joining the Y network at 15 - a forum for young people to speak to local councillors about problems in their area and challenges facing young people, and how to improve the issues - left her disillusioned about how she was going to make a real difference.

"For people who have no opportunities, and no-one looking after them to encourage and inspire them, society and local councils are letting them down. Schools are not providing the right level of education and not helping people to aspire to their potential," she commented.

She talks almost as fast as she raps, with her energy overflowing; enthusiastic to be the best that she can be in her field. As a female MC in the industry, she has come up against difficult male responses - although not claiming to be a feminist, she embodies what a strong, positive female role model should be, and now she has started up her own record label primarily for women artists, Spinning Records. "At first it was difficult to get some of the men to take me seriously," she admits, "but as soon as they started listening, they realised that I knew what I was doing and I was good at it; I got loads of spots MCing at Glasgow clubs and then the offers to collaborate with lots of other DJs started coming in - it all escalated from there."

She has collaborated with Asian Dub Foundation and Bus, and has supported Basement Jaxx and Aphex Twin on tour. When asked whether she will continue to have such a wide range of musical collaborations, she said; "I like to work with a range of artists from different musical backgrounds so that regardless of what genre of music individuals are into, I can cut across this and get my message to them."

A truly inspiring artis - whose range of music will have something for everyone and retains all of the grit, honesty and energy that makes her Glaswegian to the bone - is really a rare treat.