“Hip-hop isn’t just what MC Lyte does. It’s who she is.”
(Helena Andrews-Dyer, 2022)
When thinking about pioneers of hip hop, MC Lyte is one of the first people that should come to mind. Her presence in hip-hop culture impacted the growing art form as she provided the world with incredible messages and inspiring determination. In April 2017, MC Lyte came to Trinity College for the 12th Trinity International Hip Hop Festival to perform as a headliner in the main showcase.
MC Lyte’s stage name is a name that to her represented light and positivity, however, she was born with the name Lana Michele Moorer on October 11, 1970, in Queens, New York. She was raised in the East Flatbush region of Brooklyn, New York, surrounded by family and immersed in hip-hop. Her proximity to the Bronx, the birthplace of hip hop, and her general presence in New York put her in the optimal position to pursue her passion and talent for hip hop.
In 1987, MC Lyte made her presence in the hip-hop world known and impossible to ignore as she released her first song titled, “I Cram to Understand U.” This song immediately gained the attention of more than just the hip-hop community and it was put on The Sources “100 Best Rap Singles of All Time” list.
Her career as a pioneer exploded, trailblazing a path for women in a male-dominated art form, where she consistently pushed boundaries and exceeded expectations. The following year, in May, she released her first album titled “Lyte as a Rock.” This project held some of her most legendary works, many of which were nominated for or won awards, and it was the first full-length album released by a solo female rapper.
As she continued to gain more recognition in renowned hip-hop arenas, she began her acting career in 1993, with her role in Fly By Night. Simultaneously, her contributions to hip hop continued, she has dropped nine albums so far all of which feature hard-hitting lyrics and wisdom that earned her titles like being the first female solo rapper to be nominated for a Grammy. As MC Lyte continued to grow as a pioneer, she persisted in her efforts to empower women and spread messages representative of the principles of hip-hop. She normalized the idea that women in hip-hop should and would be respected while remaining extremely grounded and relatable to other artists and women specifically.
Most recently, she has made numerous community contributions, such as her establishment of the Hip Hop Sisters Foundation which aims to help young girls “define themselves for themselves” and focuses on promoting self-love and respect through an exploration of creativity. Overall, MC Lyte was one of the first rappers to point out the sexism and misogyny that takes place in the hip-hop world. She opened the door for many other women to make a space for themselves, making her presence in hip-hop culture extremely impressive.
More of MC Lyte:
