Biography of mc lyte
MC Lyte
American rapper (born )
Lana Michele Moorer (born Oct 11, ), better known by her stage label MC Lyte, is an American rapper. Considered put the finishing touches to of the pioneers of female rap,[5][6][7] MC Lyte first gained fame in the late s, apposite the first female rapper to release a brimming solo album with 's critically acclaimed Lyte similarly a Rock. The album spawned the singles "10% Dis" and "Paper Thin".[8][9]
In , she joined dignity supergroupStop the Violence Movement, and appeared on glory single "Self Destruction", which was the inaugural number-one single on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles graph. That same year, she released her second ep Eyes on This, which became one of righteousness first albums by a female solo rapper accomplish chart on the Billboard [10][11] That album star the single "Cha Cha Cha". In , Newsreader Lyte released the hit single "Poor Georgie", which marked her first appearance on the Billboard Disgorge Her single "Ruffneck", made her the first on one`s own woman rapper to achieve a gold certification circumvent the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[12] Regulate , she collaborated with Janet Jackson on justness song "You Want This", and was featured complementary Queen Latifah and Yo-Yo on the remix give directions "I Wanna Be Down" by Brandy. Her nonpareil "Keep On, Keepin' On" featuring Xscape, reached illustriousness top ten on Billboard Hot She then collaborated with Missy Elliott on the hit song "Cold Rock a Party", which would become her ordinal number-one song on the Hot Rap Singles arrange. In , she was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Female Rap Solo Performance confirm the track "Ride Wit Me".
Throughout her existence, MC Lyte had collaborations with mainstream artists specified as Sinéad O'Connor, Will Smith, Mary J. Force, Jay-Z, Moby, Aerosmith, Beyoncé and ; and has been cited as an influence to many troop in hip hop. Billboard & Vibe ranked become known as one of the 50 greatest rappers ().[13] She has received the "I Am Hip Hop" Icon Lifetime Achievement from the BET Hip Catch in the act Awards, and was honored at the VH1 Asset Hop Honors. In October , Lyte become authority first female artist to perform Hip Hop oral cavity the White House.[14] In September she was awarded with the W. E. B. Du Bois Accolade, Harvard University's highest honor in the field endorsement African and African-American studies.[15] In addition to back up career as a rapper, she has worked comport yourself parallel as voiceover talent for various events, penny-a-liner, DJ and has starred in various roles reap film and television. In has her directional introduction with the short film Break Up In Love.[16] Lyte has also worked with several charities, counting her own foundation, Hip Hop Sisters.[17]
Early life
Lana Michele Moorer was born in the Queens borough disruption New York City[18] and was raised in grandeur East Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York Knowhow. She began rapping at the age of [19] MC Lyte's original stage name was Sparkle.[20] She began recording her first track at age 14, although it took two years before it was able to be released.[21]:1
She regards Milk Dee streak DJ Giz, the hip hop duo Audio Unite, as "totally like [her] brothers", because the several grew up together. Audio Two's father, Nat Dramatist, started a label for them called First Priority.[20] After making the label, Robinson cut a dole out with Atlantic under a condition that Lyte would get a record contract with Atlantic as well.[22]
Musical career
Beginnings: Lyte as a Rock and Eyes get-together This (–)
In , at the age of 16,[23] Lyte released her debut single, "I Cram let your hair down Understand U (Sam)", being one of the supreme songs written about the crack era.[24] She was 12 years old at the time she wrote the song.[25]
In April [26] she would release back up debut album Lyte as a Rock.[21] In affixing to "I Cram to Understand U (Sam)" were released as singles "Paper Thin", the eponymous "Lyte as a Rock", and "10% Dis" (a bruise track to then-Hurby Azor associate Antoinette).[21] The tome peaked #50 on the then Billboard Top Swart Albums. Despite not having a great commercial act, it is considered one of the best lecturer most important rap albums, both in the 80s and in history.[27][28][29][30] That year The Village Absolutely magazine would rate Lyte as "the best person vocalist in hip-hop".[31] Lyte was also featured dainty the remix and music video of "I Energy Your (Hands on Me)" by Irish singer Sinéad O'Connor, which debuted in May of that yr on MTV.
In January Lyte joined Stop grandeur Violence Movement with Boogie Down Productions, Public Rival and Heavy D, among others. Together they movable the single "Self Destruction" in response to severity in the hip hop and African American communities. The song debuted at #1 on the culminating week of Billboard Hot Rap Singles existence[32] dominant the proceeds were donated to the National Urbanized League.[33] In late August of that year, tiara song "I'm Not Havin' It" with Positive Youth would have an entry on the Billboard Biting Rap Singles (peaking at #16), becoming MC Lyte's first appearance on a chart as solo person in charge. In October Lyte would publish her second ep Eyes on This. This album, like its previous ancestor, received a great critical reception and is official as a hip hop classic.[34] With Eyes elegance This she became the first solo female doorknocker to have an entry on the Billboard Free yourself of this album came the singles "Cha Cha Cha" (with which for the first time as artist she charted on the Billboard Hot Caliginous Singles and reached #1 on the Hot Hit Singles). "Stop, Look, Listen", and the socially carry out "Cappucino". During that year she also collaborated jar Foster & McElroy, known for their work break En Vogue and Tony! Toni! Toné!, in position song "Dr. Soul". This single peaked #10 come close Billboard Black Songs.[35]
In MC Lyte performed at Industrialist Hall.[36]
MC Lyte's DJ since the start of in sync career, DJ K-Rock, is a cousin, Kennith Moorer; aside from a break in , the shine unsteadily have toured consistently to the present.[37][38][39] During drift time she also had her own dancers, Stage One and Leg Two, who performed with disgruntlement both in shows and in music videos.[40]
– Act Like You Know and Ain't No Other
On Haw 1, , Lyte performed on "Yo! Unplugged Rap", the first MTV Unplugged to feature rap artists, alongside A Tribe Called Quest, De La Affections and LL Cool J.[41] Her performance was eternal by Entertainment Weekly's Ken Tucker, who commented, "MC Lyte performed her song 'Cappucino' like a beefy Aretha Franklin: Lyte brought out the soul barge in her lyrics."[42] In September , Lyte released turn a deaf ear to third album, Act Like You Know, which incorporates a softer R&B/New Jack Swing sound across few of the tracks.[43] This release received more mongrel reviews than her previous albums and commercially litigation performed more weakly than its predecessor, Eyes ratification This. From this album came the singles "When in Love" and the socially conscious "Poor Georgie" (Lyte's first entry on the Billboard Hot limit her third #1 on the Hot Rap Singles) and "Eyes Are the Soul". That year she also participated in the socially conscious single "Heal Yourself" by the collective "HEAL Human Education Be drawn against Lies", which also included Big Daddy Kane, Boardwalk Down Productions, Run-DMC, Queen Latifah and LL Serene J.
Between and Lyte participated in "The Superior Rap Show Ever" concert held at Madison Quadrilateral Garden with Public Enemy, Naughty by Nature, Queen consort Latifah, Geto Boys and DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, among others.[44][45] In the connect of , she also performed in the rap special Sisters In The Name of Rap conjoin Salt-N-Pepa, Yo-Yo, Queen Latifah and Roxanne Shanté, amongst many others. it was recorded at the Hosteller in NYC as a pay-per-view TV concert standing released on VHS the following year.[46]
In October , as part of the Mo Money soundtrack, Anchorwoman Lyte collaborated with Jimmy Jam and Terry Writer, known primarily for their work with Janet Pol, on the single "Ice Cream Dream".[47] In she also performed on Kris Kross's Back to Institution Jam tour, which also featured A Tribe Titled Quest and Fu-Schnickens.[48]
Also during that year Lyte began work on her next album, titled Ain't Inept Other, which was released on June 22, Gather this album, in which she adopts a finer hardcore hip hop sound, Lyte achieved better censorious reception than her predecessor. "Ruffneck" was released gorilla a single,[21] which would become her first fastest 40 single on the Billboard Hot , peaking at #35, and fourth #1 on the Biting Rap Singles, also earning her first gold corroboration. With "Ruffneck" MC Lyte would also get regular nomination for the 36th edition of the Grammy Awards in the Best Rap Solo Performance group. In October of that year, Lyte performed dress warmly the Budweiser Superfest with SWV, Bell Biv Devoe, LeVert, Big Daddy Kane and Silk.[49]
In May well MC Lyte participated on the performance on excellence finale of The Arsenio Hall Show, alongside nobility likes of KRS-One, Wu-Tang Clan, Naughty by Person, Guru of Gang Starr, Yo-Yo, Das EFX promote A Tribe Called Quest, among others.[50][51] In June collaborates with Ice Cube, Public Enemy's Chuck Recycle and Ice-T on Public Enemy's Terminator X ep Super Bad. In the middle of she collaborated with Janet Jackson on the single remix gift music video for "You Want This", peaking close #8 on the Billboard Hot and earning clever nomination for Music Video of the Year attractive the 2th edition of the Soul Train Lass of Soul Awards. Also during the summer watch '94 participated in Janet Jackson's Janet World Tour.[52]
In early , she collaborated with Queen Latifah gleam Yo-Yo on the remix of Brandy's top 10 single "I Wanna Be Down", earning a proposal at the 12th edition of the MTV Tv Music Award in the Best Rap Video classification. In April of that year collaborated alongside Meshell Ndegeocello, Patra, Yo-Yo, Latifah, Salt-N-Pepa and TLC's Left Eye Lopes in the rap remix of "Freedom" on the Panther movie soundtrack[53] Pathway June she performed at the Jam for Peace with Warren G, Mary J. Blige, Brownstone, Adina Howard, Montell Jordan and Soul for Real.[54] Dump year she also collaborated with Lin Que association the remix of Mary J. Blige's "You Produce Me Joy".
– Bad as I Wanna B and Seven & Seven
In February , Sportscaster Lyte collaborated on the R&B group Xscape's matchless "Can't Hang". In that month also collaborated fellow worker Lord Finesse on the interlude "Taking It Lyte" from his album The Awakening. In March, rearguard signing with East West Records, she released "Keep On Keepin' On", the first single from give something the thumbs down forthcoming album. This new collaboration with Xscape reached #10 on the Billboard Hot , her maximal position on this chart as main artist, exploit a gold certification. "Keep On Keepin' On" would also be part of the soundtrack of grandeur film Sunset Park. In September win the Unconditional R&B, Soul or Rap Video category in righteousness 3th edition of Soul Train Lady of Sentiment Awards with this song.[55] In August of put off same year, Lyte released her fifth album, Bad as I Wanna B. With tracks with deft Pop/R&B-oriented sound[56] the album would receive mixed reviews. In November, is released as single a Sean "Puffy" Combs remix of "Cold Rock a Party" featuring Missy Elliott.[21] This single peaked at #11 on the Billboard Hot and would become multifarious fifth #1 single on the Hot Rap Singles (fourth as lead artist), earning a gold authorisation. It also enters the top 40 of indefinite charts outside the United States, being #1 significant certified platinum in New Zealand.[57]
In February "Keep presume Pushin" was included in the soundtrack of Dangerous Ground, in which MC Lyte, Bahamadia, Nonchalant instruct Yo-Yo collaborate under the production of Pete Rock.[58] In March , she collaborated with R&B nightingale Billy Lawrence on the single "Come On", which was included in the soundtrack of the film over Set it Off. Between June and July detail that year she embarked on a USO Progress, performing for American troops in Italy and Greece.[59] In November she collaborated with LL Cool Tabulate and Busta Rhymes on the debut album ensnare the R&B supergroupLSG on the track "Curious", which was later released as single. That year Lyte also collaborated with Parliament-Funkadelic's Bootsy Collins on blue blood the gentry single "I'm Leavin U (Gotta Go, Gotta Go)" from his album Fresh Outta 'P' University.
In August MC Lyte released her sixth studio soundtrack Seven & Seven. This would have a second-rate commercial and critical reception despite having the coaction of famous producers and artists such as Interpretation Neptunes, LL Cool J, Missy Elliott, L.E.S. stomach Trackmasters, which would lead to Lyte's departure deseed EastWest Records. That year she also embarks retrace your steps on a USO Tour, performing in Germany.[59]
– Collaborations and releases independently
In November MC Lyte collaborated sketch the remix of Jammin of Bob Marley deliver the remix album Chant Down Babylon. This target would later be released as single. During consider it month she also collaborated with Will Smith lecturer Tatyana Ali on "Who Am I" from Smith's album Willennium.
In March MC Lyte collaborated confident Common and Bilal on the track "A Lp Called (Pimp)" on Common's album Like Water gather Chocolate.
In September her first compilation album The Very Best of MC Lyte was released.
In April the soundtrack for the TV series Dark Angel is released, which includes Lyte's songs "Dark Angel Theme" (in collaboration with Public Enemy) meticulous "No Dealz" (with Ericka Yancey). In May work out that year, MC Lyte collaborated with Angie Cube on the album version of "Jam for greatness Ladies" by electronica musician Moby. In November she collaborates with Erick Sermon and Rah Digga flinch the track "Tell Me" on Sermon's album React. During that time Lyte also became honorary associate of Sermon and Redman's supergroup Def Squad.[4]
In Stride , Lyte released the independently produced record Da Undaground Heat, Vol. 1, featuring Jamie Foxx. Say publicly album has little commercial impact and mixed reviews, but the single "Ride Wit Me" get dinky nomination for the 46th edition of the Grammy Awards in the Best Female Rap Vocal Radio show category. In June of that year she teamed the rock group Aerosmith, Public Enemy's Chuck Return and Flavor Flav, Busta Rhymes and Phife Dawg in the group the Spitballers. Together release "Let's Get Loud (Everybody Get Up)", which became goodness opening song of the 11th edition of ethics ESPY Awards.[60] In August Lyte collaborated with Beyoncé, Missy Elliott and Free on the single "Fighting Temptation" as part of the soundtrack for glory homonymous film.[61] That same month she released distinction compilation album The Shit I Never Dropped, which includes previously unreleased collaborations with En Vogue's Outset Robinson, Da Brat, Missy Elliott, Erick Sermon paramount Clipse.[62] In September collaborates with Black Eyed Peas's and Fergie on the track "Mash Out" sustenance album Must B 21.
In May , Reporter Lyte collaborated with Teena Marie and Medusa mould the song "The Mackin' Game" from Teena Marie's album La Doña.[63] In August he collaborated let fall Boyz II Men on their cover of "What You Won't Do for Love". That year Lyte was also nominated at the 4th edition make known the BET Awards in the Best Female Investment Hop Artist category.
In , she released shine unsteadily songs produced by Richard "Wolfie" Wolf called "Can I Get It Now" and "Don't Walk Away". MC Lyte's song "My Main Aim" was birth title song of the basketball video game NBA Live by EA Sports. That year additionally collaborated with the Polish-born German producer DJ Tomekk on the track "Partyverlauf" from his album Numma Eyns.
In July MC Lyte releases "The Spectacle Years" in collaboration with DJ Premier.[64] In Oct of that year, Lyte was one of integrity artists honored at the 3th edition of class VH1 Hip Hop Honors, where she perform find out Da Brat, Lil' Kim, Yo-Yo and Remy Into. Lyte would be the first female solo doorknocker to achieve this recognition.[65] During that time likewise performed on the "Ebony Black Family Reunion Tour" along with Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, champion Whodini.[66]
In MC Lyte joined The Roots put forward Big Daddy Kane on the "VH1 Hip Intrude upon Honors Tour".[67] On July 9 performed at picture opening of the 25th annual Martin Luther Errand Jr. Concert Series in Brooklyn. That month along with performed for first time at the Essence Song Festival in New Orleans.[68] In Lyte also unfastened the singles "Mad At Me" and "Money" criticism KRS-One, the latter part of KRS-One's album Adventures in Emceein.
In May , as member get the message the group Almost September with Philip "Whitey" Snowy and Jared Lee Gosselin, MC Lyte released The Almost September EP. This features an R&B/Soul familiarized sound.[69] Later she embarks with the group weigh up a tour in Europe.[70] In June is loose the song "Closer", a collaboration with her cousin-german Charles Hamilton.[71] In October of that year whole "Cha Cha Cha" at the 3th edition be snapped up the BET Hip Hop Awards.[72] In December Weathergirl Lyte collaborates with Jay-Z on "BK Anthem".[73]
In Feb Lyte collaborated with India Arie on the way "Psalms 23" from her album Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics. In June of that harvest, Lyte collaborated again with Teena Marie on loftiness track "The Pressure" from her latest album Congo Square. In that year also released the one and only with a Reggae-oriented sound "Brooklyn".[74]
In December , she performed on the concert/TV Special VH1 Divas Salutation The Troops, which also featured Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry, Keri Hilson, and Heart.
In MC Lyte performed again at the Essence Music Festival[75] talented released the single "Dada da Da".
In Walk collaborated with Grammy-winning singer Macy Gray on loftiness interlude "Really (Skit)" from her album Covered. Delay year she also released the single "Dopestyle" most important her own Mobile appMC Lyte App, where publishes her exclusive musical releases.[76]
–present: Legend and following projects
In January MC Lyte receives the Lifetime Achievement Prize 1 at Russell Simmons's Hip Hop Inaugural Ball.[77] Squeeze up June of that year releases "Cravin'" in association with Stan Carrizosa as the first single immigrant her forthcoming album.[78] In October, Lyte was esteemed with the Icon Lifetime Achievement "I Am Freshen Hop" at the 8th edition of the Risk Hip Hop Awards for her contributions to rap culture.[79]
In September , "Dear John" (featuring Common & 10Beats) was released as the second single.[80] Ditch same month she reunited with Queen Latifah, Brandy and Yo-Yo to perform "I Wanna Be Down" at the BET Hip Hop Awards in solemnization of its 20th anniversary.[81] On October 14, , MC Lyte performed "Cha Cha Cha" and "Dear John" to the President Barack Obama at significance celebration of the 50th anniversary of the government that created the National Endowment for the Bailiwick and the National Endowment for the Arts,[82][83] sycophantic the first female artist to perform Hip Encounter at the White House.[14] In November released "Ball" as the third single.[84]
In April , MC Lyte released Legend, her eighth solo album and scratch first full-length studio album in 12 years.[85] Thanks to part of Record Store Day, the album was available for 24 hours only on a limited-edition vinyl collector's item.[86] Shortly before the album's reprieve, the fourth and final single "Check" was released.[87]
In July Lyte performs at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans.[88] In September she is awarded the W. E. B. Du Bois Medal, picture Harvard University's highest honor in the field additional African and African-American studies.[15] In October collaborated territory Eric Benét on the track "Holdin' On" evade his eponymous album.[89]
On June 11, , during Selection 97's annual Summer Jam music festival, Remy Magnetism brought out MC Lyte, along with The Islamist of Rage, Cardi B, Young M.A, Monie Prize, Lil' Kim, and Queen Latifah, to celebrate someone rappers and perform Latifah's hit single "U.N.I.T.Y." be concerned about female empowerment.[90][91] Also released the single "Money spell My Mind."
During , she continued to set a strand of singles, one of which was 'Easy', in response to her British audience claiming that artists who recorded new jack swing were sexually explicit. In July of that year she was special guest on Queen Latifah's show "Ladies First" on Essence Music Festival along with Brandy, Missy Elliott, Salt-N-Pepa, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Monie Attachment and Remy Ma.[92]
In January received The Trail Jacket Award at the Trumpet Awards in Atlanta bash into Yo Yo, Lil Mama, Da Brat, Big Tigger, and DJ K-Rock helping to celebrate with orderly performance of Lyte songs.[93]
In , Lyte scored cranium acted as music supervisor for the film change of The Memo: What Women of Color For to Know to Secure a Seat at picture Table by Minda Harts. The psychological thriller peel, titled The Memo, starred Kyla Pratt.[94]
Other ventures
Acting
Her crowning acting role was in , an off-Broadway dramatics play titled Club Twelve, a hip-hop twist plus Twelfth Night alongside Wyclef Jean, Lauryn Hill, viewpoint Lisa Nicole Carson. After she made her skin debut in the movie titled Fly by Night[fr], starring alongside Jeffrey Sams, Ron Brice, and Steve Gomer, she also starred other films, such trade in A Luv Tale (), Train Ride (), Civil Brand () and Playa's Ball (). In , she guest starred in the Regular Show adventure "Rap It Up", portraying a member of unadorned hip-hop group also including characters voiced by President, the Creator and Childish Gambino. Lyte signed get used to the production unit, Duc Tha Moon, for brace years and eventually made a deal with Binary Satellite Radio. Lyte also made appearances on rendering following television shows: Lyric Cafe, Hip Hop Honors, and Black in the 80s.[citation needed]
In June , MC Lyte was interviewed for the documentary The Rap Report, Part 2. MC Lyte talked bother her career in rap music and what give permission to was like during the beginnings of hip catch redhanded. She also performed a concert of her swell famous hits. The program was produced by Rex Barnett.
In , Lyte joined the cast emblematic MTV's Celebrity Rap Superstar[95] and coached Shar Politician to a hip hop emcee victory in uncomplicated mere eight weeks.
In Lyte played Detective Makena Daniels in the drama series Tales. Immediately multitude she played DEA Special Agent Katrina 'K.C.' Walsh in the Police drama S.W.A.T. and Tiffany compact TV ONE production Loved to Death. Lyte has been featured on television as herself on specified shows as In Living Color, Moesha, Cousin Skeeter, New York Undercover, My Wife and Kids, beam Sisters in the Name of Rap. She besides acted on such TV shows as In description House, Get Real, Half & Half, Queen advance the South, and The District.
In , Lyte starred in Bad Hair directed by Justin Simien,[96] and Sylvie's Love, a period piece set sound the s opposite Tessa Thompson.[97]
In and , Lyte starred as Tina Nixon in VH1's Hip Bound Family Christmas and its respective sequel, Hip Come across Family Christmas Wedding alongside Keri Hilson, Ne-Yo, Terrence J, Redman, and Serayah.
Business and commerce
MC Lyte opened Shaitel, a Los Angeles boutique that differentiated in accessories from belts to sunglasses. "We dispose of a mixture of new and vintage [items]," she explained. "We also have a few signature refuse that are done just for the store. Incredulity boast to bring a little New York savor out here to California."[98]
In , MC Lyte launched Sunni Gyrl Inc., a global entertainment firm focus specializes in artist management and development, production, be proof against creative services and consulting.
Voiceover
In , MC Lyte began doing voiceovers, working on a short-lived Venture show called The Boot and doing some stigmatization for the Starz network, Tide, AT&T, the Genetic Urban League, and many others. She did picture voice of Tia for the Mattel toy zipper Diva Starz from to
DJing
DJ MC Lyte served as the DJ of choice at Michael Jordan's 50th Birthday Celebration, at his wedding reception, boss at Jay Leno's farewell party. Lyte has outside on to provide music for The Image Bays, Nissan, Google, Black Enterprise, and many others.
Speaker
MC Lyte has spoken at colleges and universities, instruct organizations around the globe, and with notable citizens like Iyanla Vanzant, Russell Simmons, and Soledad Author bringing a message of empowerment from her picture perfect Unstoppable: Igniting the Power Within to Achieve Your Greatest Potential. She also partnered with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund on the iLEAD international tour[99] in South Africa to empower the continent's childhood and up-and-coming leaders.
Leadership and philanthropy
In , Weathergirl Lyte was featured in TV informercial promoting pro-choice abortion rights political action "The Most Exciting Battalion in Music" alongside Corina, Juliet Cuming, Kim Gordon (Sonic Youth), Lady Miss Kier (Deee-Lite), Kate Pierson (The B's), Crystal Waters, Tina Weymouth (Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club).[][][]
In February , her diary, variety well as a turntable, records, and other different ephemera from the early days of hip jump, were donated to the Smithsonian Institution.[] This quantity, 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 seminar from its inception.[] MC Lyte served as glory President of the Los Angeles Chapter of leadership Recording Academy (the Grammy organization) from to [] She was the first African American woman come to serve in this role.[]
She is the founder pleasant Hip Hop Sisters Foundation,[17] which presented two $, scholarships to college students each of the be in first place two years of its inception and three $50, scholarships as a part of its #EducateOurMen first move during its third year during the Soul Cortege Music Awards Red Carpet Preshow.[]
Artistry
Influences, style and plug technique
MC Lyte has considered artists such as Salt-N-Pepa,[]Rakim,[]Roxanne Shanté,[]Doug E. Fresh,[]Kool Moe Dee,[]Sha-Rock from Funky 4 + 1,[][] and Run-DMC[] as her inspirations beforehand in her musical career. In an interview chart XXL in , Lyte talks about the reflect in her early days of Melle Mel impressive Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five (specifically blue blood the gentry song "The Message"). She also claimed to stockpile "all the words" on Kurtis Blow's records.[] From start to finish her career, has also paid tribute to cover up artists such as Spoonie Gee (who she subterranean clandestin on Act Like You Know), Slick Rick,[]The Shake Steady Crew,[]LL Cool J[] and Queen Latifah.[] Boring an interview with The Source in , in the way that asked about her motivation to record her fashionable album, Legend, Lyte said she was inspired coarse Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West and Drake, among subsequent rappers.[]
Her style of rap has been described get the message the book Listen to Rap! Exploring a Harmonious Genre as "mid-tempo but aggressive (lots of plosives) and carefully articulated, with emphasis on end rhymes."[] Her alto voice tone[] is one of loftiness generally most highlighted features in her music, essence described as "husky",[][] "raspy",[] "raw",[] "throat-grabbing"[13] and "authoritative".[] Her voice is also considered by Public Enemy's Chuck D as "one of the greatest voices of all time."[] According to the Hip bound Archive and Research Institute, "MC Lyte combined dexterous deep, rich, strong voice with emotional vulnerability, choosy artistic and social analysis, and a playful confidence of humor."[] Much of the lyrical content present MC Lyte's repertoire is based on braggadocio smack, although she recorded a considerable number of songs that address social issues, such as addictions ("I Cram to Understand U (Sam)",[] "Poor Georgie",[][] "Eyes Are the Soul",[][] "Lola from the Copa"),[12][]misogyny/gender issues ("Paper Thin",[][]I'm Not Havin' It, "Please Understand",[2] "Eyes Are the Soul",[] "Mickey Slipper",[] "I Go On",[] "Freedom"),[53]HIV/AIDS ("Eyes Are the Soul",[] "Lola from glory Copa")[] and crime ("Self Destruction",[33]Cappucino",[] "Not wit' exceptional Dealer",[] "Eyes Are the Soul",[] "Druglord Superstar",[] "King of Rock").[][12] Other themes present in her songs are spirituality ("Search 4 the Lyte", "God Oral Lyte", "Better Place")[12] and sexuality ("Like a Virgin", "Ice Cream Dream", "Ruffneck", "Keep On Keepin' On").[]
Legacy
MC Lyte was considered by both the specialized appeal to and fans as one of the best deliver most important Hip hop artists,[13][][][] mainly among feminine artists.[][][][][]
Greg Prato of AllMusic, referred to her primate 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.[]The Birmingham Times has credited her for helping transition hip-hop from class "feel-good, party vibe" of the late s have some bearing on a "socially conscious form of expression," as honourableness rapper addressed issues like racism, sexism, and position drug culture had been affecting the African-American community.[]Billboard, The Washington Post, and NPR have cited quash as a "hip-hop pioneer".[][][]
MC Lyte has influenced rendering work of later female rappers such as King Latifah,[]Lil' Kim,[]Da Brat,[]Missy Elliott, Lauryn Hill,[]Monie Love,[]Eve,[]Rapsody,[] delighted Flo Milli,[] as well as rock artist Diddlyshit White.[] Also ranked her No.26 on their record of the 50 Greatest MCs of Our Purpose (–)[] and No.6 in the Greatest Rappers Sly survey organized by NME.[] Furthermore, Vibe magazine has referred to MC Lyte as the "Queen more than a few Rap".[]
Personal life
In , producer and rapper Q-Tip rout on his Apple Music 1 show Abstract Radio that he used to date Lyte in realm days before landing a record deal with Cool Tribe Called Quest. In the early s, Lyte was in a relationship with Todd "Todd 1" Brown (–), then the producer of Yo! MTV Raps[] and at that time she would extremely make public in an interview that they were engaged. Brown later said that the latter was part of a joke started by one lift the hosts of the show Tyrone "T Money" Kelsie "he came up with the marriage design and then mayhem ensued. After the initial demonstrate, the story got so big that an investigator actually asked Lyte about her "marriage" and as an alternative of her shooting down the rumor, she went along with it."[citation needed] Later it was putative in the media that for a few existence she had a relationship with actress Tichina General. Later these rumors were denied by Arnold.[] Ready money May some media speculated that Lyte had moderate R&B singer Janelle Monae, but these rumors accept not been confirmed by either of them.[][]
In entirely , she started dating Marine Corps veteran roost entrepreneur John Wyche, after meeting him on They announced their engagement in May "What can Unrestrainable say, except thank you Lord!!! It's been ingenious long time, this single life, and I show one`s appreciation you all for your prayers and kind fearful of hope," she wrote in an Instagram stake dated January 21, "God has sent me authentic love. For all of you waiting on LOVE- don't give up – keep God first discipline he will see that you meet your match." In August they exchanged their vows during well-organized musical wedding in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Reggae River bands played as Lyte walked down the lane, and the couple's friend Kelly Price serenaded them during the ceremony. Afterward, an intimate gathering do faster only close friends and family members was held.[][] In August she filed for a divorce back end three years of marriage.[]
She is an honorary contributor of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority.[citation needed]
Discography
Main article: Sportscaster Lyte discography
- Studio albums
- Collaboration albums
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Fly by Night | Akusa | ||
An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn | Sista Tu Lumumba | ||
A Luv Tale | Alia | ||
Train Ride | Katrina Daniels | ||
Civil Brand | Sgt. Cervantes | ||
Playas Ball | Laquinta | ||
Da Jammies | Syrin (voice) | Video | |
The Dempsey Sisters | Taylor Powell | ||
Patti Cake$ | DJ French Tips | ||
Girls Trip | Herself | ||
Loved to Death | Tiffany | ||
Praying & Believing | Head Correction Copper | Short | |
Bad Hair | Coral | ||
Sylvie's Love | Mikki | ||
Lost Girls: Angie's Story | Pastor Kim | ||
Hip Hop Affinity Christmas | Tina Nixon | TV movie | |
I, Challenger | Diane | ||
Bury Me | Diane | ||
Hip Hop Family Christmas Wedding | Tina President | TV movie | |
Favorite Son | Sister Mae | TV membrane | |
One Night Stay | Jasmine | TV movie |
Television
Awards spell nominations
Grammy Awards
Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards
MTV Videocassette Music Award
Billboard Music Awards
BET Awards
Other accolades
References
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- ^ ab"MC, Lyte". Retrieved Jan 26,
- ^"MC Lyte: Still Rockin' With The Outdistance (Interview by Han O'Connor)". . January 13, Archived from the original on January 16, Retrieved Jan 18,
- ^ ab"Artists Pick Their Faves of ". HITS Daily Double. December 20, Retrieved September 23,
- ^"MC Lyte reps feminist beat at hip-hop conference". The Metropolitan. Retrieved June 17,
- ^"MC Lyte". City CityPaper. Archived from the original on June 19, Retrieved June 17,
- ^Joan, Newlon Radner (). Feminist Messages: Coding in Women's Folk Culture. University recall Illinois Press. p. ISBN.
- ^"Ladies First: 31 Female Rappers Who Changed Hip-Hop". . March 31, Retrieved Could 8,
- ^"Hip-Hop's Greatest Year: Fifteen Albums That Indebted Rap Explode". Rolling Stone. February 12, Retrieved June 6,
- ^"MC Lyte's "Eyes On This" LP Coils 34". HotNewHipHop. October 17, Retrieved March 9,
- ^"MC Lyte Released Her Second Album 'Eyes On This' 33 Years Ago Today". MadameNoire. September 12, Retrieved March 9,
- ^ abcdHess, Mickey (). Hip Bounce in America: A Regional Guide. Greenwood. p. ISBN.
- ^ abcRouhani, Carl Lamarre, Gail Mitchell, Keith Murphy, Archangel Saponara, Datwon Thomas, Mark Elibert, Eric Diep, William E. Ketchum III, Heran Mamo, Neena; Lamarre, Carl; Mitchell, Gail; Murphy, Keith; Saponara, Michael; Thomas, Datwon; Elibert, Mark; Diep, Eric; III, William E. Ketchum (February 8, ). "50 Greatest Rappers of Separation Time". Billboard. Retrieved August 28, : CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
- ^ ab"MC Lyte". NBMBAA. Retrieved February 4,
- ^ abc"Pam Grier, MC Lyte Among Recipients Of Harvard's W.E.B. Du Bois Medals". Yahoo! (website). September 26, Retrieved February 4,
- ^"MC Lyte". Kennedy Center (Website). Retrieved June 10,
- ^ abGrimm, Marrio (October 29, ). "MC Lyte accomplish Her Site for Women 'Hip Hop Sisters'". . Retrieved October 29,
- ^"MC, Lyte | ". . Retrieved June 5,
- ^Orcutt, KC (March 25, ). "The First Ladies Of Rap: MC Lyte". The Source. Retrieved September 2,
- ^ abMC Lyte. "MC Lyte". (Interview). Retrieved September 2,
- ^ abcdeMC Lyte (January 7, ). "Full Clip: MC Lyte Breaks Down Her Entire Catalogue (Brandy, Janet President, LL Cool J & More)". . Archived strip the original on July 15, Retrieved September 2,
- ^Light, Alan (). The Vibe History of Management Hop. New York City: Three Rivers Press. pp. ISBN.
- ^