Backstage Pass

It's been 10 years since the Spice Girls began exporting "girl power," flashing peace signs and building a tween army of wanna-bes. So it only seems right that a new generation of British female artists are queuing up for their shot at taking over America this fall. Lady Sovereign - the pint-size rapper who comes across as part Sporty Spice, part Eminem - is unleashing "Love Me or Hate Me" (DefJam), a catchy single that twists Em's "Without Me" in a darker, more electronic direction. Lily Allen, who combines her Debbie Harry edginess with Baby Spice cuteness, is offering "Smile" (Capitol), which may seem like cutesy reggae until you get to the chorus of "When I see you cry, it makes me smile." Together, they should be conjuring up some "girl power" of their own soon over here.

Listen to "Love Me or Hate Me" here
Listen to "Smile" here