Biography of mc lyte

American rapper (born )

Lana Michele Moorer (born Oct 11, ), better known by her stage designation MC Lyte, is an American rapper. Considered defer of the pioneers of female rap,^[5][6][7] MC Lyte first gained fame in the late s, obsequious the first female rapper to release a all-inclusive solo album with 's critically acclaimed Lyte kind a Rock. The album spawned the singles "10% Dis" and "Paper Thin".^[8][9]

In , she joined honesty supergroupStop the Violence Movement, and appeared on high-mindedness single "Self Destruction", which was the inaugural number-one single on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles arrange. That same year, she released her second recording Eyes on This, which became one of leadership first albums by a female solo rapper everywhere chart on the Billboard ^[10][11] That album be a factor the single "Cha Cha Cha". In , Newsreader Lyte released the hit single "Poor Georgie", which marked her first appearance on the Billboard Quiver Her single "Ruffneck", made her the first unaccompanie woman rapper to achieve a gold certification steer clear of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).^[12] Derive , she collaborated with Janet Jackson on interpretation song "You Want This", and was featured coextensive Queen Latifah and Yo-Yo on the remix trail "I Wanna Be Down" by Brandy. Her nonpareil "Keep On, Keepin' On" featuring Xscape, reached representation top ten on Billboard Hot She then collaborated with Missy Elliott on the hit song "Cold Rock a Party", which would become her 5th number-one song on the Hot Rap Singles table. In , she was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Female Rap Solo Performance purport the track "Ride Wit Me".

Throughout her being, MC Lyte had collaborations with mainstream artists much as Sinéad O'Connor, Will Smith, Mary J. Force, Jay-Z, Moby, Aerosmith, Beyoncé and ; and has been cited as an influence to many battalion in hip hop. Billboard & Vibe ranked bodyguard as one of the 50 greatest rappers ().^[13] She has received the "I Am Hip Hop" Icon Lifetime Achievement from the BET Hip Catch someone with their pants down Awards, and was honored at the VH1 Secure Hop Honors. In October , Lyte become say publicly first female artist to perform Hip Hop fake the White House.^[14] In September she was awarded with the W. E. B. Du Bois Adornment, Harvard University's highest honor in the field get the message African and African-American studies.^[15] In addition to sagacious career as a rapper, she has worked entertain parallel as voiceover talent for various events, hack, DJ and has starred in various roles pound film and television. In has her directional inauguration with the short film Break Up In Love.^[16] Lyte has also worked with several charities, plus her own foundation, Hip Hop Sisters.^[17]

Early life

Lana Michele Moorer was born in the Queens borough fine New York City^[18] and was raised in interpretation East Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York Power. 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 ahead DJ Giz, the hip hop duo Audio Glimmer, as "totally like [her] brothers", because the duo grew up together. Audio Two's father, Nat Player, started a label for them called First Priority.^[20] After making the label, Robinson cut a understanding 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 magnetism This (–)

In , at the age of 16,^[23] Lyte released her debut single, "I Cram come to Understand U (Sam)", being one of the regulate 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 jewels debut album Lyte as a Rock.^[21] In evacuate to "I Cram to Understand U (Sam)" were released as singles "Paper Thin", the eponymous "Lyte as a Rock", and "10% Dis" (a hurt track to then-Hurby Azor associate Antoinette).^[21] The manual peaked #50 on the then Billboard Top Swarthy Albums. Despite not having a great commercial highest achievement, 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 Speak magazine would rate Lyte as "the best feminine vocalist in hip-hop".^[31] Lyte was also featured place in the remix and music video of "I Pray Your (Hands on Me)" by Irish singer Sinéad O'Connor, which debuted in May of that assemblage on MTV.

In January Lyte joined Stop picture Violence Movement with Boogie Down Productions, Public Antipathetic and Heavy D, among others. Together they free the single "Self Destruction" in response to ferocity in the hip hop and African American communities. The song debuted at #1 on the leading week of Billboard Hot Rap Singles existence^[32] current the proceeds were donated to the National Urbanized League.^[33] In late August of that year, go backward song "I'm Not Havin' It" with Positive Juvenile would have an entry on the Billboard Thwack Rap Singles (peaking at #16), becoming MC Lyte's first appearance on a chart as solo master. In October Lyte would publish her second wedding album Eyes on This. This album, like its forefather, received a great critical reception and is ceremonial as a hip hop classic.^[34] With Eyes difficulty This she became the first solo female doorknocker to have an entry on the Billboard Let alone this album came the singles "Cha Cha Cha" (with which for the first time as unaccompanie artist she charted on the Billboard Hot Jet Singles and reached #1 on the Hot Tie Singles). "Stop, Look, Listen", and the socially fulfill "Cappucino". During that year she also collaborated comprehend Foster & McElroy, known for their work do better than En Vogue and Tony! Toni! Toné!, in greatness song "Dr. Soul". This single peaked #10 series Billboard Black Songs.^[35]

In MC Lyte performed at Altruist Hall.^[36]

MC Lyte's DJ since the start of unit career, DJ K-Rock, is a cousin, Kennith Moorer; aside from a break in , the four have toured consistently to the present.^[37][38][39] During renounce time she also had her own dancers, Playhouse One and Leg Two, who performed with protected both in shows and in music videos.^[40]

– Act Like You Know and Ain't No Other

On Can 1, , Lyte performed on "Yo! Unplugged Rap", the first MTV Unplugged to feature rap artists, alongside A Tribe Called Quest, De La Being and LL Cool J.^[41] Her performance was great by Entertainment Weekly's Ken Tucker, who commented, "MC Lyte performed her song 'Cappucino' like a keg b ready Aretha Franklin: Lyte brought out the soul observe her lyrics."^[42] In September , Lyte released pretty up third album, Act Like You Know, which incorporates a softer R&B/New Jack Swing sound across many of the tracks.^[43] This release received more halfbred reviews than her previous albums and commercially bust performed more weakly than its predecessor, Eyes touch This. From this album came the singles "When in Love" and the socially conscious "Poor Georgie" (Lyte's first entry on the Billboard Hot prosperous 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 Destroy Lies", which also included Big Daddy Kane, Ambulate Down Productions, Run-DMC, Queen Latifah and LL Forward J.

Between and Lyte participated in "The Supreme extreme Rap Show Ever" concert held at Madison Platform Garden with Public Enemy, Naughty by Nature, Emperor Latifah, Geto Boys and DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, among others.^[44][45] In the disintegration of , she also performed in the rap special Sisters In The Name of Rap analogous Salt-N-Pepa, Yo-Yo, Queen Latifah and Roxanne Shanté, amid many others. it was recorded at the Hosteller in NYC as a pay-per-view TV concert ride released on VHS the following year.^[46]

In October , as part of the Mo Money soundtrack, Sportscaster Lyte collaborated with Jimmy Jam and Terry Pianist, known primarily for their work with Janet Politico, on the single "Ice Cream Dream".^[47] In she also performed on Kris Kross's Back to Kindergarten Jam tour, which also featured A Tribe Commanded Quest and Fu-Schnickens.^[48]

Also during that year Lyte began work on her next album, titled Ain't Cack-handed Other, which was released on June 22, Observe this album, in which she adopts a excellent hardcore hip hop sound, Lyte achieved better ponderous consequential reception than her predecessor. "Ruffneck" was released considerably a single,^[21] which would become her first ascent 40 single on the Billboard Hot , peaking at #35, and fourth #1 on the Oppressive Rap Singles, also earning her first gold empowerment. With "Ruffneck" MC Lyte would also get capital nomination for the 36th edition of the Grammy Awards in the Best Rap Solo Performance variety. In October of that year, Lyte performed trim the Budweiser Superfest with SWV, Bell Biv Devoe, LeVert, Big Daddy Kane and Silk.^[49]

In Haw MC Lyte participated on the performance on character finale of The Arsenio Hall Show, alongside dignity likes of KRS-One, Wu-Tang Clan, Naughty by Existence, Guru of Gang Starr, Yo-Yo, Das EFX limit A Tribe Called Quest, among others.^[50][51] In June collaborates with Ice Cube, Public Enemy's Chuck Circle and Ice-T on Public Enemy's Terminator X autograph album Super Bad. In the middle of she collaborated with Janet Jackson on the single remix ahead music video for "You Want This", peaking terrestrial #8 on the Billboard Hot and earning pure nomination for Music Video of the Year mix with the 2th edition of the Soul Train Lass of Soul Awards. Also during the summer hill '94 participated in Janet Jackson's Janet World Tour.^[52]

In early , she collaborated with Queen Latifah survive 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 Telecasting Music Award in the Best Rap Video session. 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] Embankment June she performed at the Jam for Peace with Warren G, Mary J. Blige, Brownstone, Adina Howard, Montell Jordan and Soul for Real.^[54] Go off year she also collaborated with Lin Que defect the remix of Mary J. Blige's "You Suggest Me Joy".

– Bad as I Wanna B and Seven & Seven

In February , Master of ceremonies Lyte collaborated on the R&B group Xscape's sui generis incomparabl "Can't Hang". In that month also collaborated occur 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 squeeze up forthcoming album. This new collaboration with Xscape reached #10 on the Billboard Hot , her supreme extreme position on this chart as main artist, exploit a gold certification. "Keep On Keepin' On" would also be part of the soundtrack of integrity film Sunset Park. In September win the Chief R&B, Soul or Rap Video category in grandeur 3th edition of Soul Train Lady of Category Awards with this song.^[55] In August of renounce same year, Lyte released her fifth album, Bad as I Wanna B. With tracks with on the rocks 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 unit 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 promote certified platinum in New Zealand.^[57]

In February "Keep govern Pushin" was included in the soundtrack of Dangerous Ground, in which MC Lyte, Bahamadia, Nonchalant limit Yo-Yo collaborate under the production of Pete Rock.^[58] In March , she collaborated with R&B chanteuse Billy Lawrence on the single "Come On", which was included in the soundtrack of the videotape Set it Off. Between June and July look after that year she embarked on a USO Materialize, performing for American troops in Italy and Greece.^[59] In November she collaborated with LL Cool Specify and Busta Rhymes on the debut album pale 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 magnanimity single "I'm Leavin U (Gotta Go, Gotta Go)" from his album Fresh Outta 'P' University.

In August MC Lyte released her sixth studio recording Seven & Seven. This would have a casual commercial and critical reception despite having the satisfaction of famous producers and artists such as Rendering Neptunes, LL Cool J, Missy Elliott, L.E.S. take precedence Trackmasters, which would lead to Lyte's departure diverge EastWest Records. That year she also embarks another time on a USO Tour, performing in Germany.^[59]

– Collaborations and releases independently

In November MC Lyte collaborated give back the remix of Jammin of Bob Marley slot in the remix album Chant Down Babylon. This turn would later be released as single. During depart month she also collaborated with Will Smith existing Tatyana Ali on "Who Am I" from Smith's album Willennium.

In March MC Lyte collaborated decree Common and Bilal on the track "A Ep Called (Pimp)" on Common's album Like Water quandary 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) obscure "No Dealz" (with Ericka Yancey). In May a mixture of that year, MC Lyte collaborated with Angie Chunk on the album version of "Jam for leadership Ladies" by electronica musician Moby. In November she collaborates with Erick Sermon and Rah Digga inaccuracy the track "Tell Me" on Sermon's album React. During that time Lyte also became honorary adherent of Sermon and Redman's supergroup Def Squad.^[4]

In Step , Lyte released the independently produced record Da Undaground Heat, Vol. 1, featuring Jamie Foxx. Rendering album has little commercial impact and mixed reviews, but the single "Ride Wit Me" get pure nomination for the 46th edition of the Grammy Awards in the Best Female Rap Vocal History category. In June of that year she teamed the rock group Aerosmith, Public Enemy's Chuck Cycle and Flavor Flav, Busta Rhymes and Phife Dawg in the group the Spitballers. Together release "Let's Get Loud (Everybody Get Up)", which became greatness opening song of the 11th edition of probity ESPY Awards.^[60] In August Lyte collaborated with Beyoncé, Missy Elliott and Free on the single "Fighting Temptation" as part of the soundtrack for distinction homonymous film.^[61] That same month she released magnanimity compilation album The Shit I Never Dropped, which includes previously unreleased collaborations with En Vogue's Entrance Robinson, Da Brat, Missy Elliott, Erick Sermon flourishing Clipse.^[62] In September collaborates with Black Eyed Peas's and Fergie on the track "Mash Out" go through with a fine-tooth comb album Must B 21.

In May , Master of the revels Lyte collaborated with Teena Marie and Medusa point of view the song "The Mackin' Game" from Teena Marie's album La Doña.^[63] In August he collaborated sign out 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 acquainted the BET Awards in the Best Female With it Hop Artist category.

In , she released bend over 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 distinction title song of the basketball video game NBA Live by EA Sports. That year too collaborated with the Polish-born German producer DJ Tomekk on the track "Partyverlauf" from his album Numma Eyns.

In July MC Lyte releases "The Admiration Years" in collaboration with DJ Premier.^[64] In Oct of that year, Lyte was one of honesty artists honored at the 3th edition of character VH1 Hip Hop Honors, where she perform become accustomed Da Brat, Lil' Kim, Yo-Yo and Remy Hole. Lyte would be the first female solo knocker to achieve this recognition.^[65] During that time very performed on the "Ebony Black Family Reunion Tour" along with Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, careful Whodini.^[66]

In MC Lyte joined The Roots lecture Big Daddy Kane on the "VH1 Hip Come across Honors Tour".^[67] On July 9 performed at magnanimity opening of the 25th annual Martin Luther Addiction Jr. Concert Series in Brooklyn. That month additionally performed for first time at the Essence Masterpiece Festival in New Orleans.^[68] In Lyte also unrestricted the singles "Mad At Me" and "Money" fine-tune KRS-One, the latter part of KRS-One's album Adventures in Emceein.

In May , as member incline the group Almost September with Philip "Whitey" Wan and Jared Lee Gosselin, MC Lyte released The Almost September EP. This features an R&B/Soul familiarised sound.^[69] Later she embarks with the group kindness a tour in Europe.^[70] In June is free the song "Closer", a collaboration with her relative Charles Hamilton.^[71] In October of that year utter "Cha Cha Cha" at the 3th edition raise the BET Hip Hop Awards.^[72] In December Anchorwoman Lyte collaborates with Jay-Z on "BK Anthem".^[73]

In Feb Lyte collaborated with India Arie on the circuit "Psalms 23" from her album Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics. In June of that era, Lyte collaborated again with Teena Marie on birth track "The Pressure" from her latest album Congo Square. In that year also released the lone with a Reggae-oriented sound "Brooklyn".^[74]

In December , she performed on the concert/TV Special VH1 Divas Hail The Troops, which also featured Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry, Keri Hilson, and Heart.

In MC Lyte performed again at the Essence Music Festival^[75] soar released the single "Dada da Da".

In Foot it collaborated with Grammy-winning singer Macy Gray on honesty interlude "Really (Skit)" from her album Covered. Think about it year she also released the single "Dopestyle" paramount 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 Reward at Russell Simmons's Hip Hop Inaugural Ball.^[77] Get round June of that year releases "Cravin'" in approtionment with Stan Carrizosa as the first single propagate her forthcoming album.^[78] In October, Lyte was established with the Icon Lifetime Achievement "I Am Tending Hop" at the 8th edition of the Venture Hip Hop Awards for her contributions to rap culture.^[79]

In September , "Dear John" (featuring Common & 10Beats) was released as the second single.^[80] Defer same month she reunited with Queen Latifah, Brandy and Yo-Yo to perform "I Wanna Be Down" at the BET Hip Hop Awards in observance of its 20th anniversary.^[81] On October 14, , MC Lyte performed "Cha Cha Cha" and "Dear John" to the President Barack Obama at depiction celebration of the 50th anniversary of the lawmaking that created the National Endowment for the Literature and the National Endowment for the Arts,^[82][83] obsequious the first female artist to perform Hip Rebound 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 remove first full-length studio album in 12 years.^[85] Kind 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 unbridle, 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, character Harvard University's highest honor in the field worldly African and African-American studies.^[15] In October collaborated silent Eric Benét on the track "Holdin' On" disseminate his eponymous album.^[89]

On June 11, , during Close 97's annual Summer Jam music festival, Remy Arrangement brought out MC Lyte, along with The Muslim of Rage, Cardi B, Young M.A, Monie Attachment, Lil' Kim, and Queen Latifah, to celebrate person rappers and perform Latifah's hit single "U.N.I.T.Y." travel female empowerment.^[90][91] Also released the single "Money launch My Mind."

During , she continued to help 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 comicalness Yo Yo, Lil Mama, Da Brat, Big Tigger, and DJ K-Rock helping to celebrate with fine performance of Lyte songs.^[93]

In , Lyte scored attend to acted as music supervisor for the film translation design of The Memo: What Women of Color Demand to Know to Secure a Seat at grandeur Table by Minda Harts. The psychological thriller single, titled The Memo, starred Kyla Pratt.^[94]

Other ventures

Acting

Her foremost acting role was in , an off-Broadway dramatics play titled Club Twelve, a hip-hop twist incorrect Twelfth Night alongside Wyclef Jean, Lauryn Hill, very last Lisa Nicole Carson. After she made her single debut in the movie titled Fly by Night&#;[fr], starring alongside Jeffrey Sams, Ron Brice, and Steve Gomer, she also starred other films, such slightly A Luv Tale (), Train Ride (), Civil Brand () and Playa's Ball (). In , she guest starred in the Regular Show chapter "Rap It Up", portraying a member of graceful hip-hop group also including characters voiced by President, the Creator and Childish Gambino. Lyte signed tackle the production unit, Duc Tha Moon, for brace years and eventually made a deal with Binary Satellite Radio. Lyte also made appearances on primacy 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 strain her career in rap music and what well-to-do was like during the beginnings of hip intrude upon. She also performed a concert of her height famous hits. The program was produced by Rex Barnett.

In , Lyte joined the cast in this area MTV's Celebrity Rap Superstar^[95] and coached Shar General to a hip hop emcee victory in neat as a pin mere eight weeks.

In Lyte played Detective Makena Daniels in the drama series Tales. Immediately later she played DEA Special Agent Katrina 'K.C.' Walsh in the Police drama S.W.A.T. and Tiffany strike home TV ONE production Loved to Death. Lyte has been featured on television as herself on much shows as In Living Color, Moesha, Cousin Skeeter, New York Undercover, My Wife and Kids, lecture Sisters in the Name of Rap. She further acted on such TV shows as In primacy House, Get Real, Half & Half, Queen indicate the South, and The District.

In , Lyte starred in Bad Hair directed by Justin Simien,^[96] and Sylvie's Love, a period piece set school in the s opposite Tessa Thompson.^[97]

In and , Lyte starred as Tina Nixon in VH1's Hip Leap Family Christmas and its respective sequel, Hip Intrude upon 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 technical in accessories from belts to sunglasses. "We trade be in the busines a mixture of new and vintage [items]," she explained. "We also have a few signature throw somebody into disarray that are done just for the store. Amazement boast to bring a little New York tang out here to California."^[98]

In , MC Lyte launched Sunni Gyrl Inc., a global entertainment firm rove specializes in artist management and development, production, viewpoint creative services and consulting.

Voiceover

In , MC Lyte began doing voiceovers, working on a short-lived Chance show called The Boot and doing some stigmatization for the Starz network, Tide, AT&T, the Stateowned Urban League, and many others. She did class voice of Tia for the Mattel toy highlight 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, take up at Jay Leno's farewell party. Lyte has expended on to provide music for The Image Commendation, Nissan, Google, Black Enterprise, and many others.

Speaker

MC Lyte has spoken at colleges and universities, get to organizations around the globe, and with notable kin like Iyanla Vanzant, Russell Simmons, and Soledad Author bringing a message of empowerment from her restricted area 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 boyhood and up-and-coming leaders.

Leadership and philanthropy

In , Presenter Lyte was featured in TV informercial promoting pro-choice abortion rights political action "The Most Exciting Body of men 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, sort well as a turntable, records, and other indefinite ephemera from the early days of hip spring, were donated to the Smithsonian Institution.^[] This piece, 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 kind from its inception.^[] MC Lyte served as position President of the Los Angeles Chapter of distinction Recording Academy (the Grammy organization) from to ^[] She was the first African American woman taking place serve in this role.^[]

She is the founder chief Hip Hop Sisters Foundation,^[17] which presented two $, scholarships to college students each of the principal two years of its inception and three $50, scholarships as a part of its #EducateOurMen cleverness during its third year during the Soul In progress Music Awards Red Carpet Preshow.^[]

Artistry

Influences, style and wellbuilt 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 entirely in her musical career. In an interview disconnect XXL in , Lyte talks about the force in her early days of Melle Mel with Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five (specifically prestige song "The Message"). She also claimed to update "all the words" on Kurtis Blow's records.^[] For the duration of her career, has also paid tribute to different artists such as Spoonie Gee (who she unmoving on Act Like You Know), Slick Rick,^[]The Outcrop Steady Crew,^[]LL Cool J^[] and Queen Latifah.^[] Go to see an interview with The Source in , conj at the time that asked about her motivation to record her modish album, Legend, Lyte said she was inspired wishy-washy Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West and Drake, among treat rappers.^[]

Her style of rap has been described unexciting the book Listen to Rap! Exploring a Melodious Genre as "mid-tempo but aggressive (lots of plosives) and carefully articulated, with emphasis on end rhymes."^[] Her alto voice tone^[] is one of character generally most highlighted features in her music, duration 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 recoil Archive and Research Institute, "MC Lyte combined tidy deep, rich, strong voice with emotional vulnerability, fascinated artistic and social analysis, and a playful mother wit of humor."^[] Much of the lyrical content ship MC Lyte's repertoire is based on braggadocio arrest, 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 probity Copa")^[] and crime ("Self Destruction",^[33]Cappucino",^[] "Not wit' wonderful Dealer",^[] "Eyes Are the Soul",^[] "Druglord Superstar",^[] "King of Rock").^[][12] Other themes present in her songs are spirituality ("Search 4 the Lyte", "God Spoken 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 pack and fans as one of the best courier most important Hip hop artists,^[13][][][] mainly among person artists.^[][][][][]

Greg Prato of AllMusic, referred to her kind 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 honesty "feel-good, party vibe" of the late s assay a "socially conscious form of expression," as rendering rapper addressed issues like racism, sexism, and grandeur drug culture had been affecting the African-American community.^[]Billboard, The Washington Post, and NPR have cited afflict as a "hip-hop pioneer".^[][][]

MC Lyte has influenced grandeur work of later female rappers such as Monarch Latifah,^[]Lil' Kim,^[]Da Brat,^[]Missy Elliott, Lauryn Hill,^[]Monie Love,^[]Eve,^[]Rapsody,^[] skull Flo Milli,^[] as well as rock artist Shit White.^[] Also ranked her No.&#;26 on their dossier of the 50 Greatest MCs of Our Period (–)^[] and No.&#;6 in the Greatest Rappers Devious survey organized by NME.^[] Furthermore, Vibe magazine has referred to MC Lyte as the "Queen late Rap".^[]

Personal life

In , producer and rapper Q-Tip decipher on his Apple Music 1 show Abstract Radio that he used to date Lyte in tiara days before landing a record deal with Grand 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 further make public in an interview that they were engaged. Brown later said that the latter was part of a joke started by one virtuous the hosts of the show Tyrone "T Money" Kelsie "he came up with the marriage answer and then mayhem ensued. After the initial feint, the story got so big that an examiner actually asked Lyte about her "marriage" and if not of her shooting down the rumor, she went along with it."^{[citation needed]} Later it was putative in the media that for a few length of existence she had a relationship with actress Tichina Traitor. Later these rumors were denied by Arnold.^[] Set in motion May some media speculated that Lyte had old R&B singer Janelle Monae, but these rumors maintain not been confirmed by either of them.^[][]

In specifically , she started dating Marine Corps veteran pointer entrepreneur John Wyche, after meeting him on They announced their engagement in May "What can Funny say, except thank you Lord!!! It's been on the rocks long time, this single life, and I appreciation you all for your prayers and kind lyric of hope," she wrote in an Instagram publish dated January 21, "God has sent me correctly love. For all of you waiting on LOVE- don't give up – keep God first settle down he will see that you meet your match." In August they exchanged their vows during uncluttered musical wedding in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Reggae Zaire bands played as Lyte walked down the corridor, and the couple's friend Kelly Price serenaded them during the ceremony. Afterward, an intimate gathering walk off with only close friends and family members was held.^[][] In August she filed for a divorce later three years of marriage.^[]

She is an honorary affiliate of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority.^{[citation needed]}

Discography

Main article: Weatherman Lyte discography

Studio albums

Collaboration albums

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards suggest nominations

Grammy Awards

Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards

MTV Videotape Music Award

Billboard Music Awards

BET Awards

Other accolades

References