Lily Allen Both Praised And Patronized By NME

British pop singer Lily Allen has spoken out against what she sees as a male-dominated, patronizing and sexist music industry.

British music magazine New Musical Express named Allen the third coolest figure in music, and she was set to appear on the cover of an issue celebrating women in rock along with The Gossip frontwoman Beth Ditto, who topped NME's annual top 50 "cool list."

Instead, the cover shot was swapped for all-male rock trio Muse because it was believed that it would sell more copies.

"You thought that your readers might not buy a magazine with an overweight lesbian and a not particularly attractive looking me, on the front," Allen wrote on her blog in reference to herself and Ditto. "Wankers."

Allen also felt patronized by NME editor Conor McNicholas, who said that women brought new energy to a scene dominated by men. McNicholas added, "They're also living proof that you can still rock a crowd when you're wearing stilettos."

"Is that all we are, stiletto wearing people," Allen responded online. "Is that all he could say, that we brought a 'new energy' to the music scene? Don't make me sick, wev'e always been here you arrogant prick."

An NME spokesman responded to Allen's concerns by saying, "The NME loves Lily and that's why she is number three in our cool list."

Allen has scored two U.K. #1 hits, "Smile" and "LDN," from her Alright, Still debut album. Her latest single is "Littlest Things," a derogatory song that she wrote about her relationship with former boyfriend, record label A&R executive Seb Chew. The couple broke up in January, but have recently reconciled. Allen credits the song for getting Chew back.

"Littlest Things" will be released in the U.K. as both a CD and seven-inch vinyl single next month. The B-side of the seven-inch is a cover of Keane's "Everybody's Changing," while the second song on the CD is a new track called "U Killed It."