MC Lyte | |
|---|---|
 MC Lyte in October 2019 | |
| Born | Lana Michele Moorer (1970-10-11)October 11, 1970 (age 54) New York City, U.S. |
| Other names | Lytro |
| Education | Hunter College (no degree) |
| Occupation | |
| Years active | 1984–present |
| Organization | Hip Hop Sisters Foundation |
| Works | |
| Title | Founder of Sunni Gyrl Inc. |
| Spouse | |
| Relatives |
|
| Awards | Full list |
| Musical career | |
| Origin | Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Labels | |
| Formerly of |
|
Musical artist | |
| Website | mclyte |
Lana Michele Moorer (born October 11, 1970), better known by her stage nameMC Lyte, is an American rapper. Considered one of the pioneers of female rap,[5][6][7] MC Lyte first gained fame in the late 1980s, becoming the first female rapper to release a full solo album with 1988's critically acclaimedLyte as a Rock. The album spawned the singles "10% Dis" and "Paper Thin".[8][9]
In 1989, she joined thesupergroupStop the Violence Movement, and appeared on the single "Self Destruction", which was the inaugural number-one single on theBillboard Hot Rap Singles chart. That same year, she released her second albumEyes on This, which became one of the first albums by a female solo rapper to chart on theBillboard 200.[10][11] That album included the single "Cha Cha Cha". In 1991, MC Lyte released the hit single "Poor Georgie", which marked her first appearance on theBillboard Hot 100. Her 1993 single "Ruffneck", made her the first solo woman rapper to achieve agold certification from theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[12]
In 1994, she collaborated withJanet Jackson on the song "You Want This", and was featured alongsideQueen Latifah andYo-Yo on the remix track "I Wanna Be Down" byBrandy. Her 1996 single "Keep On, Keepin' On" featuringXscape, reached the top ten onBillboard Hot 100. She then collaborated withMissy Elliott on the hit song "Cold Rock a Party", which was her fifth number-one song on the Hot Rap Singles chart. In2004, she was nominated for aGrammy Award for Best Female Rap Solo Performance for the track "Ride Wit Me".
Throughout her career, MC Lyte had collaborations with mainstream artists such asSinéad O'Connor,Will Smith,Mary J. Blige,Jay-Z,Moby,Aerosmith,Beyoncé andwill.i.am, and has been cited as an influence to many women in hip hop. In 2023,Billboard &Vibe ranked her as one of the 50 greatest rappers.[13] She has received the "I Am Hip Hop" Icon Lifetime Achievement from theBET Hip Hop Awards, and was honored at theVH1 Hip Hop Honors. In October 2014, Lyte become the first female artist to perform Hip Hop at theWhite House.[14] In September 2016 she was awarded with theW. E. B. Du Bois Medal,Harvard University's highest honor in the field of African and African-American studies.[15] In addition to her career as a rapper, she has worked in parallel as voiceover talent for various events, writer,DJ and has starred in various roles in film and television. In 2022 has her directional debut with the short filmBreak Up In Love.[16] Lyte has worked with several charities, including her own foundation,Hip Hop Sisters.[17]
Lana Michele Moorer was born in theQueens borough of New York City[18] and was raised in theEast Flatbush section ofBrooklyn, New York City. She beganrapping at the age of 12.[19] MC Lyte's original stage name was Sparkle.[20] She recorded her first track at age 14, which was released 2 years later.[21]: 1
She regardsMilk Dee andDJ Giz, the hip hop duoAudio Two, as "totally like [her] brothers", because the three grew up together. Audio Two's father, Nat Robinson, started a label for them, calledFirst Priority.[20] After making the label, Robinson made a deal withAtlantic under the condition that Lyte would get a record contract with Atlantic as well.[22]
In 1987, at the age of 16,[23] Lyte released her debut single, "I Cram to Understand U (Sam)", being one of the first songs written about thecrack era.[24] She was 12 years old at the time she wrote the song.[25]
In April 1988[26] she released her debut albumLyte as a Rock.[21] In addition to "I Cram to Understand U (Sam)" were released as singles "Paper Thin", the eponymous "Lyte as a Rock", and "10% Dis", adiss track to then-Hurby Azor associateAntoinette.[21] The album peaked #50 on the thenBillboard Top Black Albums. Despite not having a great commercial performance, it is considered one of the best and most important rap albums, both in the 80s and in history.[27][28][29][30] In 1988,The Village Voice magazine rated Lyte as "the best female vocalist in hip-hop".[31] Lyte was featured in the remix and music video of "I Want Your (Hands on Me)" by Irish singerSinéad O'Connor, which debuted in May 1988 onMTV.
In January 1989, Lyte joined theStop the Violence Movement withBoogie Down Productions,Public Enemy andHeavy D, among others. Together they released the single "Self Destruction" in response to violence in the hip hop and African American communities. The song debuted at #1 on the first week ofBillboard Hot Rap Singles existence[32] and the proceeds were donated to theNational Urban League.[33] In late August 1989, her song "I'm Not Havin' It" withPositive K entered theBillboard Hot Rap Singles, peaking at #16, becoming MC Lyte's first appearance on a chart as solo artist. In October 1989, Lyte published her second albumEyes on This. This album, like its predecessor, received a great critical reception and is recognized as a hip hop classic.[34]
WithEyes on This she became the first solo female rapper to have an entry on theBillboard 200. From this album came the singles "Cha Cha Cha", the first time as solo artist she charted on theBillboard Hot Black Singles and reached #1 on the Hot Rap Singles. "Stop, Look, Listen", and thesocially conscious "Cappucino". In 1989 she also collaborated withFoster & McElroy, known for their work withEn Vogue andTony! Toni! Toné!, in the song "Dr. Soul". This single peaked #10 onBillboard Black Songs.[35]
In 1990, MC Lyte performed atCarnegie Hall.[36]
MC Lyte's DJ since the start of her career, DJ K-Rock, is a cousin, Kennith Moorer. Aside from a break in 1992, the two have toured consistently to the present.[37][38][39] During that time she also had her own dancers, Leg One and Leg Two, who performed with her in shows and in music videos.[40]
In May 1991, Lyte performed on "Yo! Unplugged Rap", the firstMTV Unplugged to feature rap artists, alongsideA Tribe Called Quest,De La Soul andLL Cool J.[41] Her performance was praised byEntertainment Weekly'sKen Tucker, who commented, "MC Lyte performed her song 'Cappucino' like a rappingAretha Franklin: Lyte brought out the soul in her lyrics."[42] In September 1991, Lyte released her third album,Act Like You Know, which incorporated a softerR&B/New Jack Swing sound across some of the tracks.[43]
This release received more mixed reviews than her previous albums and commercially it performed more weakly than its predecessor,Eyes on This. From this album came the singles "When in Love" and the socially conscious "Poor Georgie" (Lyte's first entry on theBillboard Hot 100 and her third #1 on the Hot Rap Singles) and "Eyes Are the Soul".In 1991 she also participated in the socially conscious single "Heal Yourself" by the collective "HEAL Human Education Against Lies", which includedBig Daddy Kane,Boogie Down Productions,Run-DMC,Queen Latifah and LL Cool J.
Between 1991 and 1992, Lyte participated in"The Greatest Rap Show Ever" concert held atMadison Square Garden with Public Enemy,Naughty by Nature, Queen Latifah,Geto Boys andDJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, among others.[44][45] In the fall of 1991, she performed in the hip-hop specialSisters In The Name of Rap alongsideSalt-N-Pepa,Yo-Yo, Queen Latifah andRoxanne Shanté, among many others. It was recorded at the Ritz in NYC as apay-per-view TV concert and released onVHS in 1992.[46]
In October 1992, as part of theMo Money soundtrack, MC Lyte collaborated withJimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, known primarily for their work withJanet Jackson, on the single "Ice Cream Dream".[47] In 1992 she performed onKris Kross'sBack to School Jam tour, which featured A Tribe Called Quest andFu-Schnickens.[48]
In 1992, Lyte began work on her next album, titledAin't No Other, which was released on June 22, 1993. With a morehardcore hip hop sound, Lyte achieved better critical reception than her prior album. "Ruffneck" was released as a single,[21] which became her first top 40 single on theBillboard Hot 100, peaking at #35, and fourth #1 on the Hot Rap Singles, also earning her firstgold certification. With "Ruffneck", MC Lyte would had a nomination for the36th edition of theGrammy Awards in theBest Rap Solo Performance category. In October 1993, Lyte performed at the1993 Budweiser Superfest withSWV,Bell Biv Devoe,LeVert, Big Daddy Kane andSilk.[49]
In May 1994, MC Lyte performed in the finale ofThe Arsenio Hall Show, alongsideKRS-One,Wu-Tang Clan, Naughty by Nature,Guru ofGang Starr, Yo-Yo,Das EFX and A Tribe Called Quest, among others.[50][51] In June, she collaborated withIce Cube, Public Enemy'sChuck D andIce-T on Public Enemy'sTerminator X albumSuper Bad. In the middle of 1994 she collaborated withJanet Jackson on the single remix and music video for "You Want This", peaking at #8 on theBillboard Hot 100 and earning a nomination for Music Video of the Year at the 2th edition of theSoul Train Lady of Soul Awards. In the summer of '94 she participated in Janet Jackson'sJanet World Tour.[52]
In early 1995, she collaborated with Queen Latifah and Yo-Yo on the remix ofBrandy's top 10 single "I Wanna Be Down", earning a nomination at the12th edition of theMTV Video Music Award in theBest Rap Video category. In April 1995 she collaborated alongsideMeshell Ndegeocello,Patra, Yo-Yo, Latifah,Salt-N-Pepa andTLC's Left Eye Lopes in the rap remix of "Freedom" on thePanther moviesoundtrack[53] In June, she performed at theJam for Peace withWarren G,Mary J. Blige,Brownstone,Adina Howard,Montell Jordan andSoul for Real.[54] In 1995 she also collaborated withLin Que on the remix of Mary J. Blige's "You Bring Me Joy".
In February 1996, MC Lyte collaborated on the R&B groupXscape's single "Can't Hang". In February she also collaborated withLord Finesse on the interlude "Taking It Lyte" from his albumThe Awakening. In March, after signing withEast West Records, she released "Keep On Keepin' On", the first single from her forthcoming album. This new collaboration with Xscape reached #10 on theBillboard Hot 100, her highest position on this chart as main artist, getting a gold certification. "Keep On Keepin' On" was part of thesoundtrack of the filmSunset Park. In September, she won the Best R&B, Soul or Rap Video category in the 3th edition ofSoul Train Lady of Soul Awards with this song.[55]
In August 1996, Lyte released her fifth album,Bad as I Wanna B. With tracks with aPop/R&B-oriented sound[56] the album received mixed reviews. In November, she released aSean "Puffy" Combs remix of "Cold Rock a Party" featuringMissy Elliott.[21] This single peaked at #11 on theBillboard Hot 100 and became her fifth #1 single on the Hot Rap Singles (fourth as lead artist), earning a gold certification. It entered the top 40 of various charts outside the United States, being #1 and certifiedplatinum inNew Zealand.[57]
In February 1997, "Keep on Pushin" was included in thesoundtrack ofDangerous Ground, in which MC Lyte,Bahamadia,Nonchalant and Yo-Yo collaborated under the production ofPete Rock.[58] In March 1997, she collaborated withR&B singerBilly Lawrence on the single "Come On", which was included in the soundtrack of the movieSet it Off. In June and July 1997, she embarked on aUSO Tour, performing for American troops in Italy and Greece.[59]
In November she collaborated with LL Cool J andBusta Rhymes on thedebut album of the R&BsupergroupLSG on the track "Curious", which was later released as single. In 1997, Lyte also collaborated withParliament-Funkadelic'sBootsy Collins on the single "I'm Leavin U (Gotta Go, Gotta Go)" from his albumFresh Outta 'P' University.
In August 1998 MC Lyte released her sixth studio albumSeven & Seven. It had a poor commercial and critical reception despite having the collaboration of famous producers and artists such asThe Neptunes, LL Cool J, Missy Elliott,L.E.S. andTrackmasters, which lead to Lyte's departure from EastWest Records. In 1998 she went on another USO Tour, performing in Germany.[59]
In November 1999, MC Lyte collaborated in the remix ofJammin ofBob Marley in the remix albumChant Down Babylon. This track was later released as a single. In November she also collaborated withWill Smith andTatyana Ali on "Who Am I" from Smith's albumWillennium.
In March 2000, MC Lyte collaborated withCommon andBilal on the track "A Film Called (Pimp)" on Common's albumLike Water for Chocolate.
In September 2001, her first compilation albumThe Very Best of MC Lyte was released.
In April 2002, the soundtrack for the TV seriesDark Angel was released, which includes Lyte's songs "Dark Angel Theme", in collaboration with Public Enemy, and "No Dealz", with Ericka Yancey. In May 2002, MC Lyte collaborated withAngie Stone on the album version of "Jam for the Ladies" by electronica musicianMoby. In November, she collaborated withErick Sermon andRah Digga on the track "Tell Me" on Sermon's albumReact. During that time Lyte became an honorary member of Sermon andRedman's supergroupDef Squad.[4]
In March 2003, Lyte released the independently produced recordDa Undaground Heat, Vol. 1, featuringJamie Foxx. The album had little commercial impact and mixed reviews, but the single "Ride Wit Me" received a nomination for the46th edition of theGrammy Awards in theBest Female Rap Vocal Performance category. In June 2003, she teamed the rock groupAerosmith, Public Enemy'sChuck D andFlavor Flav, Busta Rhymes andPhife Dawg in the group the Spitballers. Together they released "Let's Get Loud (Everybody Get Up)", which became the opening song of the 11th edition of theESPY Awards.[60]
In August, Lyte collaborated withBeyoncé, Missy Elliott andFree on the single "Fighting Temptation" as part of the soundtrack forthe homonymous film.[61] In August, she released the compilation albumThe Shit I Never Dropped, which includes previously unreleased collaborations with En Vogue'sDawn Robinson,Da Brat, Missy Elliott, Erick Sermon andClipse.[62] In September, she collaborated withBlack Eyed Peas'swill.i.am andFergie on the track "Mash Out" on will.i.am albumMust B 21.
In May 2004, MC Lyte collaborated withTeena Marie and Medusa on the song "The Mackin' Game" from Teena Marie's albumLa Doña.[63] In August, she collaborated withBoyz II Men on their cover of "What You Won't Do for Love". In 2004, Lyte was nominated at the4th edition of theBET Awards in theBest Female Hip Hop Artist category.
In 2005, she released two songs produced byRichard "Wolfie" Wolf, called "Can I Get It Now" and "Don't Walk Away". MC Lyte's song "My Main Aim" was the title song of the basketball video gameNBA Live 2005 byEA Sports. In 2005 she collaborated with the Polish-born German producerDJ Tomekk on the track "Partyverlauf" from his albumNumma Eyns.
In July 2006, MC Lyte released "The Wonder Years" in collaboration withDJ Premier.[64] In October 2006, Lyte was one of the artists honored at the 3th edition of theVH1 Hip Hop Honors, where she performed with Da Brat,Lil' Kim, Yo-Yo andRemy Ma. Lyte was the first female solo rapper to achieve this recognition.[65] In 2006, she performed on the"Ebony Black Family Reunion Tour" along withDoug E. Fresh,Slick Rick, andWhodini.[66]
In 2007, MC Lyte joinedThe Roots and Big Daddy Kane on the"VH1 Hip Hop Honors Tour".[67] In July, she performed at the opening of the 25th annualMartin Luther King Jr. Concert Series in Brooklyn. In July she also performed for first time at theEssence Music Festival in New Orleans.[68]
In 2007, Lyte released the singles "Mad At Me" and "Money" with KRS-One, the latter part of KRS-One's albumAdventures in Emceein.
In May 2008, as a member of the groupAlmost September with Philip "Whitey" White andJared Lee Gosselin, MC Lyte releasedThe Almost September EP. This features anR&B/Soul oriented sound.[69] Later she embarked with the group on a tour in Europe.[70] In June, she released the song "Closer", a collaboration with her cousinCharles Hamilton.[71] In October 2008, she performed "Cha Cha Cha" at the3th edition of theBET Hip Hop Awards.[72] In December, MC Lyte collaborated withJay-Z on "BK Anthem".[73]
In February 2009, Lyte collaborated withIndia Arie on the track "Psalms 23" from her albumTestimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics. In June 2009, Lyte collaborated again with Teena Marie on the track "The Pressure" from her albumCongo Square. In 2009, she also released the single with aReggae-oriented sound "Brooklyn".[74]
In December 2010, she performed on the concert/TV SpecialVH1 Divas Salute The Troops, which also featuredNicki Minaj,Katy Perry,Keri Hilson, andHeart.
In 2011, MC Lyte performed again at theEssence Music Festival[75] and released the single "Dada da Da".
In March 2012, she collaborated with Grammy-winning singerMacy Gray on the interlude "Really (Skit)" from her albumCovered. In 2012, she released the single "Dopestyle" and her ownMobile appMC Lyte App, where she published her exclusive musical releases.[76]
In January 2013, MC Lyte received a Lifetime Achievement Award atRussell Simmons's Hip Hop Inaugural Ball.[77] In June, she released "Cravin'", in collaboration withStan Carrizosa as the first single from her forthcoming album.[78] In October, Lyte was honored with the Icon Lifetime Achievement "I Am Hip Hop" at the8th edition of theBET Hip Hop Awards for her contributions to hip-hop culture.[79]
In September 2014, "Dear John", featuringCommon & 10Beats, was released as the second single.[80] In September, she reunited with Queen Latifah, Brandy and Yo-Yo to perform "I Wanna Be Down" at the2014 BET Hip Hop Awards in celebration of its 20th anniversary.[81] On October 14, 2014, MC Lyte performed "Cha Cha Cha" and "Dear John" to PresidentBarack Obama at the celebration for the 50th anniversary of the legislation that created theNational Endowment for the Humanities and theNational Endowment for the Arts,[82][83] becoming the first female artist to perform Hip Hop at theWhite House.[14] In November, she released "Ball" as the third single.[84]
In April 2015, MC Lyte releasedLegend, her eighth solo album and her first full-length studio album in 12 years.[85] As part ofRecord Store Day, the album was available for 24 hours only on a limited-editionvinyl collector's item.[86] Shortly before the album's release, the fourth and final single "Check" was released.[87]
In July 2016, Lyte performed at theEssence Music Festival in New Orleans.[88] In September, she was awarded theW. E. B. Du Bois Medal, theHarvard University's highest honor in the field of African and African-American studies.[15] In October, she collaborated withEric Benét on the track "Holdin' On" fromhis eponymous album.[89]
In June 2017, duringHot 97's annualSummer Jam music festival, Remy Ma brought out MC Lyte, along withThe Lady of Rage,Cardi B,Young M.A,Monie Love, Lil' Kim, and Queen Latifah, to celebrate female rappers and perform Latifah's 1993 hit single "U.N.I.T.Y." aboutfemale empowerment.[90][91] She also released the single "Money on My Mind."
In 2018, she continued to release a strand of singles, one of which was 'Easy', in response to her British audience claiming that artists who recordednew jack swing were sexually explicit. In July 2018, she was a special guest on Queen Latifah's show "Ladies First" in theEssence Music Festival, along with Brandy, Missy Elliott, Salt-N-Pepa, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Monie Love and Remy Ma.[92]
In January 2019, she received The Trail Blazer Award at the Trumpet Awards in Atlanta with Yo Yo,Lil Mama, Da Brat,Big Tigger, and DJ K-Rock helping to celebrate with a performance of Lyte songs.[93]
In 2024, Lyte scored and acted as music supervisor for the film adaptation ofThe Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table byMinda Harts. The psychological thriller film, titledThe Memo, starredKyla Pratt.[94]
Her first acting role was in 1991, an off-Broadway theater play titledClub Twelve, a hip-hop twist onTwelfth Night alongsideWyclef Jean,Lauryn Hill, andLisa Nicole Carson. After she made her film debut in the 1993 movie titledFly by Night [fr], starring alongsideJeffrey Sams, Ron Brice, and Steve Gomer, she also starred other films, such asA Luv Tale (1999),Train Ride (2000),Civil Brand (2002) andPlaya's Ball (2003). In 2011, she guest starred in theRegular Show episode "Rap It Up", portraying a member of a hip-hop group also including characters voiced byTyler, the Creator andChildish Gambino. Lyte signed with the production unit, Duc Tha Moon, for three years and eventually made a deal with Sirius Satellite Radio. Lyte also made appearances on the following television shows: Lyric Cafe, Hip Hop Honors, and Black in the 80s.[citation needed]
In June 2006, MC Lyte was interviewed for the documentaryThe Rap Report, Part 2. MC Lyte talked about her career in rap music and what it was like during the beginnings of hip hop. She also performed a concert of her most famous hits. The program was produced by Rex Barnett.
In 2007, Lyte joined the cast of MTV'sCelebrity Rap Superstar[95] and coachedShar Jackson to a hip hop emcee victory in a mere eight weeks.
In 2017 Lyte played Detective Makena Daniels in the drama seriesTales. Immediately following she played DEA Special Agent Katrina 'K.C.' Walsh in the Police dramaS.W.A.T. and Tiffany inTV ONE productionLoved to Death. Lyte has been featured on television as herself on such shows asIn Living Color,Moesha,Cousin Skeeter,New York Undercover,My Wife and Kids, andSisters in the Name of Rap. She also acted on such TV shows asIn the House,Get Real,Half & Half,Queen of the South, andThe District.
In 2020, Lyte starred inBad Hair directed byJustin Simien,[96] andSylvie's Love, a period piece set in the 1960s oppositeTessa Thompson.[97]
In 2021 and 2022, Lyte starred as Tina Nixon in VH1's Hip Hop Family Christmas and its respective sequel, Hip Hop Family Christmas Wedding alongsideKeri Hilson,Ne-Yo,Terrence J,Redman, andSerayah.
MC Lyte opened Shaitel, a Los Angeles boutique that specialized in accessories from belts to sunglasses. "We sell a mixture of new and vintage [items]," she explained. "We also have a few signature pieces that are done just for the store. We boast to bring a little New York flavor out here to California."[98]
In 1997, MC Lyte launched Sunni Gyrl Inc., a global entertainment firm that specializes in artist management and development, production, and creative services and consulting.
In 1996, MC Lyte began doing voiceovers, working on a short-lived BET show calledThe Boot and doing some branding for the Starz network,Tide,AT&T, theNational Urban League, and many others. She did the voice of Tia for the Mattel toy lineDiva Starz from 2000 to 2002.
DJ MC Lyte served as the DJ of choice atMichael Jordan's 50th Birthday Celebration, at his 2013 wedding reception, and atJay Leno's farewell party. Lyte has gone on to provide music for TheImage Awards,Nissan, Google,Black Enterprise, and many others.
MC Lyte has spoken at colleges and universities, for organizations around the globe, and with notable people likeIyanla Vanzant,Russell Simmons, andSoledad O'Brien bringing a message of empowerment from her bookUnstoppable: Igniting the Power Within to Achieve Your Greatest Potential. She also partnered with theThurgood Marshall College Fund on the iLEAD international tour[99] in South Africa to empower the continent's youth and up-and-coming leaders.
In 1991, MC Lyte was featured in TV informercial promoting pro-choice abortion rights political action "The Most Exciting Women in Music" alongsideCorina, Juliet Cuming,Kim Gordon (Sonic Youth),Lady Miss Kier (Deee-Lite),Kate Pierson (The B-52's),Crystal Waters,Tina Weymouth (Talking Heads,Tom Tom Club).[100][101][102]
In February 2006, her diary, as well as aturntable,records, and other assorted ephemera from the early days of hip hop, were donated to theSmithsonian Institution.[103] This collection, entitled "Hip-Hop Won't Stop: The Beat, the Rhymes, the Life" is a program to assemble objects of historical relevance to the hip hop genre from its inception.[104]MC Lyte served as the President of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Recording Academy (theGrammy organization) from 2011 to 2013.[105] She was the first African American woman to serve in this role.[105]
She is the founder of Hip Hop Sisters Foundation,[17] which presented two $100,000 scholarships to college students each of the first two years of its inception and three $50,000 scholarships as a part of its #EducateOurMen initiative during its third year during theSoul Train Music Awards Red Carpet Preshow.[106]
MC Lyte has considered artists such asSalt-N-Pepa,[107]Rakim,[108]Roxanne Shanté,[109]Doug E. Fresh,[110]Kool Moe Dee,[108]Sha-Rock fromFunky 4 + 1,[111][112] andRun-DMC[108] as her inspirations early in her musical career. In an interview withXXL in 2013, Lyte talks about the influence in her early days ofMelle Mel andGrandmaster Flash and the Furious Five (specifically the song "The Message"). She also claimed to know "all the words" onKurtis Blow's records.[108] Throughout her career, has also paid tribute to other artists such asSpoonie Gee (who she covered onAct Like You Know),Slick Rick,[113]The Rock Steady Crew,[114]LL Cool J[115] andQueen Latifah.[116] In an interview withThe Source in 2015, when asked about her motivation to record her latest album,Legend, Lyte said she was inspired byKendrick Lamar,Kanye West andDrake, among other rappers.[117]
Her style of rap has been described in the bookListen to Rap! Exploring a Musical Genre as "mid-tempo but aggressive (lots of plosives) and carefully articulated, with emphasis on end rhymes."[118] Heralto voice tone[119] is one of the generally most highlighted features in her music, being described as "husky",[120][121] "raspy",[122] "raw",[123] "throat-grabbing"[13] and "authoritative".[124] Her voice is also considered byPublic Enemy'sChuck D as "one of the greatest voices of all time."[125] According to theHip hop Archive and Research Institute, "MC Lyte combined a deep, rich, strong voice with emotional vulnerability, insightful artistic and social analysis, and a playful sense of humor."[126]
Much of the lyrical content of MC Lyte's repertoire is based onbraggadocio rap, although she recorded a considerable number of songs that addresssocial issues, such asaddictions ("I Cram to Understand U (Sam)",[127] "Poor Georgie",[128][124] "Eyes Are the Soul",[129][130] "Lola from the Copa"),[12][131]misogyny/gender issues ("Paper Thin",[132][127]I'm Not Havin' It, "Please Understand",[2] "Eyes Are the Soul",[129] "Mickey Slipper",[131] "I Go On",[133] "Freedom"),[53]HIV/AIDS ("Eyes Are the Soul",[129] "Lola from the Copa")[131] andcrime ("Self Destruction",[33]Cappucino",[134] "Not wit' a Dealer",[135] "Eyes Are the Soul",[129] "Druglord Superstar",[136] "King of Rock").[131][12] Other themes present in her songs are spirituality ("Search 4 the Lyte", "God Said Lyte", "Better Place")[12] and sexuality ("Like a Virgin", "Ice Cream Dream", "Ruffneck", "Keep On Keepin' On").[137]
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MC Lyte was considered by both the specialized press and fans as one of the best and most important Hip hop artists,[13][138][139][140] mainly among female artists.[141][142][143][144][145]
Greg Prato ofAllMusic, referred to her as one of the first female rappers to "point out the sexism and misogyny that often runs rampant in hip-hop", often taking the subject "head on lyrically" in her songs.[146]The Birmingham Times has credited her for helping transition hip-hop from the "feel-good, party vibe" of the late 1970s into a "socially conscious form of expression," as the rapper addressed issues like racism, sexism, and the drug culture had been affecting the African-American community.[147]Billboard,The Washington Post, andNPR have cited her as a "hip-hop pioneer".[148][149][150]
MC Lyte has influenced the work of later female rappers such asQueen Latifah,[151]Lil' Kim,[152]Da Brat,[153]Missy Elliott,Lauryn Hill,[154]Monie Love,[155]Eve,[156]Rapsody,[157] andFlo Milli,[158] as well as rock artistJack White.[159] AlsoAbout.com ranked herNo. 26 on their list of the 50 Greatest MCs of Our Time (1987–2007)[139] andNo. 6 in the Greatest Rappers Ever survey organized byNME.[138] Furthermore,Vibe magazine has referred to MC Lyte as the "Queen of Rap".[160]
In 2016, producer and rapperQ-Tip revealed on hisApple Music 1 showAbstract Radio that he used to date Lyte in his days before landing a record deal withA Tribe Called Quest. In the early 1990s, Lyte was in a relationship with Todd "Todd 1" Brown (1970–2019), then the producer ofYo! MTV Raps[161] and at that time she would also make public in an interview that they were engaged. Brown later said that the latter was part of a joke started by one of the hosts of the show Tyrone "T Money" Kelsie "he came up with the marriage idea and then mayhem ensued.[162]
After the initial show, the story got so big that an interviewer actually asked Lyte about her "marriage"... and instead of her shooting down the rumor, she went along with it."[citation needed] Later it was speculated in the media that for a few years she had a relationship with actressTichina Arnold. Later these rumors were denied by Arnold.[163] In May 2015, some media speculated that Lyte had dated R&B singerJanelle Monae, but these rumors have not been confirmed by either of them.[164][165]
In early 2016, she started datingMarine Corps veteran and entrepreneur John Wyche, after meeting him onMatch.com. They announced their engagement in May 2017. "What can I say, except thank you Lord!!!... It's been a long time, this single life, and I thank you all for your prayers and kind words of hope," she wrote in anInstagram post dated January 21, 2017. "God has sent me true love. For all of you waiting on LOVE- don't give up – keep God first and he will see that you meet your match."[166][167]
In August they exchanged their vows during a musical wedding inMontego Bay, Jamaica.Reggae Congo bands played as Lyte walked down the aisle, and the couple's friendKelly Price serenaded them during the ceremony. Afterward, an intimate gathering with only close friends and family members was held.[168][169]In August 2020 she filed for a divorce after three years of marriage.[170]
She is an honorary member ofSigma Gamma Rho sorority.[citation needed]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Fly by Night | Akusa | |
| 1997 | An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn | Sista Tu Lumumba | |
| 1999 | A Luv Tale | Alia | |
| 2000 | Train Ride | Katrina Daniels | |
| 2002 | Civil Brand | Sgt. Cervantes | |
| 2003 | Playas Ball | Laquinta | |
| 2006 | Da Jammies | Syrin (voice) | Video |
| 2013 | The Dempsey Sisters | Taylor Powell | |
| 2017 | Patti Cake$ | DJ French Tips | |
| Girls Trip | Herself | ||
| 2019 | Loved to Death | Tiffany | |
| Praying & Believing | Head Correction Officer | Short | |
| 2020 | Bad Hair | Coral | |
| Sylvie's Love | Mikki | ||
| Lost Girls: Angie's Story | Pastor Kim | ||
| 2021 | Hip Hop Family Christmas | Tina Nixon | TV movie |
| 2022 | I, Challenger | Diane | |
| Bury Me | Diane | ||
| Hip Hop Family Christmas Wedding | Tina Nixon | TV movie | |
| 2023 | Favorite Son | Sister Mae | TV movie |
| 2024 | One Night Stay | Jasmine | TV movie |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990–2003 | Showtime at the Apollo | Herself | Recurring Guest |
| 1991 | MTV Unplugged | Herself | Episode: "Yo! MTV Rap Unglugged" |
| 1992 | Sesame Street | Herself | Episode: "Episode #23.41" & "#24.30" |
| 1992–2003 | Soul Train | Herself | Recurring Guest |
| 1995 | New York Undercover | Female Rapper | Episode: "You Get No Respect" |
| 1996 | Moesha | Herself | Episode: "A Concerted Effort: Part 2" |
| New York Undercover | Herself | Episode: "Kill the Noise" | |
| 1997 | All That | Herself | Episode: "MC Lyte" |
| 1998 | In the House | Lu Lu | Episode: "Working Overtime: Part 2" |
| Cousin Skeeter | Herself | Episode: "A Family Thing" | |
| 1998–2002 | For Your Love | Lana | Recurring Cast: Season 2–3, Guest: Season 5 |
| 1999 | Get Real | Beth Hunter | Episode: "Denial" |
| 2002 | The District | Karla | Episode: "Russian Winter" |
| 2003 | Platinum | Camille FaReal | Episode: "Loyalty" |
| Strong Medicine | Nikki | Episode: "Prescriptions" | |
| 2004 | Star Search | Herself/Judge | Main Judge |
| Def Poetry Jam | Herself | Episode: "Episode #1.4" | |
| And You Don't Stop: 30 Years of Hip-Hop | Herself | Episode: "Back in the Day" | |
| My Wife & Kids | Herself | Episode: "The Return of Bobby Shaw" | |
| 2004–2006 | Half & Half | Kai Owens | Recurring Cast: Season 2–4 |
| 2005 | Black in the 80s | Herself | Recurring Guest |
| Love Lounge | Herself | Recurring Guest | |
| Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List | Herself | Episode: "Adjusted Gross" | |
| 2011 | Regular Show | Demel-ishun (voice) | Episode: "Rap It Up" |
| 2011–2017 | Unsung | Herself | Recurring Guest |
| 2015 | Sisterhood of Hip Hop | Herself | Episode: "U-n-i-t-y" |
| 2017 | Tales | Makena Daniels | Episode: "Cold Hearted" |
| The Comedy Underground Series | Herself/DJ | Main Guest | |
| 2017–18 | Queen of the South | The Professor | Recurring Cast: Season 2, Guest: Season 3 |
| 2018 | Wild 'n Out | Herself | Episode: "International Women's Day Special" |
| Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta | Herself | Episode: "Too Lit to Quit" & "In My Feelings" | |
| S.W.A.T. | DEA Special Agent Katrina 'KC' Walsh | Episode: "K-Town" & "Vendetta" | |
| Power | Jelani Otombre | Episode: "When This Is Over" | |
| 2018–19 | Hip-Hop Evolution | Herself | Episode: "Do The Knowledge" & "Life After Death" |
| 2019 | Hip Hop Squares | Herself/DJ | Main DJ: Season 6 |
| Untold Stories of Hip Hop | Herself | Episode: "Queen Latifah & Maino" | |
| Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America | Herself | Episode: "Ladies First: 1989" | |
| 2021 | Partners In Rhyme | Lana Crawford | Main Cast |
| 2022 | Kid's Crew | School Teacher (voice) | Recurring Cast |
| 2023 | Fight the Power: How Hip-Hop Changed the World | Herself | Episode: "Still Fighting" |
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | "Ruffneck" | Best Rap Solo Performance[171] | Nominated |
| 2004 | "Ride Wit Me" | Best Female Rap Vocal Performance | Nominated |
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | "You Want This" withJanet Jackson | Music Video of the Year | Nominated |
| 1996 | "Keep On Keepin' On" withXscape | Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video | Won |
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | "I Wanna Be Down" featuringBrandy,Yo-Yo, andQueen Latifah | Best Rap Video | Nominated |
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Herself | Top Rap Artist | Nominated |
| "Cold Rock a Party" | Top Rap Song | Nominated |
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Herself | Best Female Hip-Hop Artist | Nominated |
{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)Actually Milk and Giz are totally like my brothers but they are not my blood brothers but I was basically raised within that family.
MC Lyte to Doug E. Fresh: You are one of my biggest inspirations. Your poster was on my wall years before we met
When you talk about MC Lyte, she'll say when I was 11-years-old coming up to Harlem i use to hear Sha Rock on cassette tapes, and she influence me to do what i do today,
Lyte demonstrates tremendous verbal ability on Lyte as a Rock, using her husky voice and conversational flow
She was born Lana Moorer, but to fans she's MC Lyte, the New York-bred female rapper with a recognizably raspy voice.
Nat Robinson, founder of First Priority: She was unique, had a raw, powerful voice that just dominated
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