MC Lyte, born Lana Michele Moorer on October 11, 1970, in Brooklyn, New York, is a pioneering American rapper, DJ, actress, and entrepreneur. As one of the trailblazers of female rap, MC Lyte gained prominence in the late 1980s and has since become a highly influential figure in the hip-hop world.
MC Lyte's journey began at a young age. She started rapping at age 12 under the stage name Sparkle. By 14, she was already recording tracks, reflecting a clear dedication to her craft early on. Her stage name evolved from Red to Lyte, finally becoming MC Lyte. In 1986, she signed her first contract with First Priority under Atlantic Records.
Throughout her career, MC Lyte has been prolific, releasing:
Her groundbreaking debut album, "Lyte as a Rock," made her the first solo female rapper to release a full album in 1988. Some of her notable albums include:
Her most recent album, "Legend," was released in 2015. Additionally, she released an EP with the group Almost September in 2008.
MC Lyte's career is marked by a series of firsts and accolades:
Her contributions to music have been recognized by VH-1 Hip Hop Honors and the BET Hip Hop Awards, where she received the "I Am Hip Hop" Icon Lifetime Achievement award. Moreover, she was ranked No. 26 on About.com's list of the 50 Greatest MCs of Our Time (1987–2007) and No. 6 in NME's Greatest Rappers Ever survey.
Some of MC Lyte's standout tracks include:
Throughout her career, MC Lyte has worked with a variety of artists across genres, including Sinéad O'Connor, Janet Jackson, Brandy, Xscape, P. Diddy, Will Smith, and Beyoncé. She was also involved in the Stop the Violence Movement in 1989.
MC Lyte has significantly influenced subsequent generations of female rappers such as Lil Kim, Da Brat, Missy Elliott, Lauryn Hill, and Eve. Her music often tackles social and political issues, notably in her album "Ain't No Other" (1993).
Beyond her music career, MC Lyte is a DJ, actress, and entrepreneur. Notably, she became the first African American female to serve as the President of the Los Angeles chapter of the Recording Academy.
MC Lyte's career spans more than three decades, during which she has consistently broken barriers for women in hip-hop. Her powerful stage presence, skilled lyricism, and willingness to address complex social issues through her music have solidified her legacy as one of the most influential and respected figures in hip-hop history.
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