MC Lyte was a trailblazing artist in the world of hip-hop, known for addressing the prevalent sexism and misogyny in the industry. Hailing from Brooklyn, NY, she embarked on her rap journey at the young age of 12. Her breakthrough single, ‘I Cram to Understand U,’ caught the attention of First Priority label, leading to her debut album, ‘Lyte As a Rock,’ in 1988. Following this success, her second album, ‘Eyes on This,’ further solidified her reputation, featuring the hit singles ‘Cha Cha Cha’ and ‘Cappucino.’ Collaborating with renowned writers and producers Wolf & Epic, MC Lyte’s third album, ‘Act Like You Know,’ showcased a soulful sound different from her previous works.
Transitioning to Elektra/Asylum in the mid-’90s, MC Lyte continued to make waves in the music scene. Her albums ‘Bad As I Wanna B’ and ‘Seven & Seven’ showcased her versatility and featured notable collaborations with artists like Missy Elliott and LL Cool J. Beyond her music career, MC Lyte delved into acting, making appearances on popular TV shows and engaging in social causes like anti-violence campaigns and AIDS benefits. She received accolades for her collaboration with Xscape on ‘Keep on Keepin’ On,’ which became her second gold single. Rhino Records released ‘The Very Best of MC Lyte’ in 2001, highlighting her illustrious career, and she made a powerful comeback in 2003 with ‘Da Undaground Heat, Vol. 1.’ MC Lyte’s influence extends far beyond music, making her a multifaceted artist and advocate for social change.