View source for MC Lyte

{{short description|American rapper (born 1970)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = MC Lyte
| image              = MC Lyte by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| caption            = MC Lyte in October 2019
| birth_name         = Lana Michele Moorer
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|1970|10|11}}
| education          = [[Hunter College]] (no degree)
| birth_place        = [[New York City]], U.S.
| other_names        = Lytro
| occupation         = {{flatlist|
*Rapper<ref>{{cite web|title=MC Lyte 1971–|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/literature-and-arts/film-and-television-biographies/mc-lyte|publisher=[[Encyclopedia.com]]|access-date=26 January 2023}}</ref><ref name="encyclopedia">{{cite web|title=MC, Lyte|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/mc-lyte|publisher=[[Encyclopedia.com]]|access-date=26 January 2023}}</ref>
}}
| organization       = [https://hiphopsisters.org/ Hip Hop Sisters Foundation]
| title              = Founder of Sunni Gyrl Inc.
| boards             =
| works              = {{hlist|[[MC Lyte discography#Albums|Albums]]|[[MC Lyte discography#Singles|singles]]|
|[[MC Lyte discography#Videography|videography]]}}
| years_active       = 1984–present
| spouse             = {{marriage|John Wyche|August 14, 2017|2023|end=divorced}}
| relatives          = {{Plainlist|
* [[Charles Hamilton (rapper)|Charles Hamilton]] (cousin)
}}
| children           =
| awards             = [[#Awards and nominations|Full list]]
| website            = {{URL|mclyte.com}}
| module             = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes
| background         = solo_singer <!-- mandatory field -->
| origin = [[Brooklyn]], New York City, U.S.
| genre              = [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]
| label              = {{hlist|[[First Priority Music|First Priority]]|[[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]]|[[East West Records America|East West America]]|[[Elektra Records|Elektra]]|[[Artistdirect#iMUSIC|iMUSIC]]|[[Bertelsmann Music Group|BMG]]|[[James DuBose#DuBose Entertainment|DuBose Music Group]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allhiphop.com/stories/features/archive/2010/01/13/22094450.aspx/ |title=MC Lyte: Still Rockin' With The Best (Interview by Han O'Connor) |date=January 13, 2010 |website=Allhiphop.com |access-date=January 18, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100116014706/http://allhiphop.com/stories/features/archive/2010/01/13/22094450.aspx |archive-date=January 16, 2010 }}</ref>|Sunni Gyrl, Inc.|[[Omnivore Recordings|Omnivore]]}}
| past_member_of =
* [[First Priority Music|First Priority Family]]
* [[KRS-One#Stop the Violence Movement|Stop the Violence Movement]]
* H.E.A.L. Human Education Against Lies
* [[Def Squad]] (honorary member)<ref name="hdd">{{cite web|title=Artists Pick Their Faves of 2002|url=https://m.hitsdailydouble.com/news&id=276905&title=ARTISTS-PICK-THEIR-FAVES-OF-2002|publisher=[[Hits (magazine)|HITS Daily Double]]|date=December 20, 2002 |access-date=September 23, 2022}}</ref>
* [[Almost September]]
}}
}}
'''Lana Michele Moorer''' (born October 11, 1970), better known by her stage name '''MC Lyte''', is an American rapper. Considered one of the pioneers of female rap,<ref>{{cite news|title=MC Lyte reps feminist beat at hip-hop conference|url=http://www.metnews.org/features/mc-lyte-reps-feminist-beat-at-hip-hop-conference/|newspaper=[[The Metropolitan (newspaper)|The Metropolitan]]|access-date=June 17, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=MC Lyte|url=http://archives.citypaper.net/articles/100396/article016.shtml?print=1|publisher=Philadelphia CityPaper|access-date=June 17, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130619220633/http://archives.citypaper.net/articles/100396/article016.shtml?print=1|archive-date=June 19, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Joan|first=Newlon Radner|title=Feminist Messages: Coding in Women's Folk Culture|year=1993|publisher=[[University of Illinois Press]]|page=220|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9fHhHegfP-MC&q=MC+LYTe+feminist&pg=PA220|isbn=9780252062674}}</ref> MC Lyte first gained fame in the late 1980s, becoming the first female rapper to release a full solo album with 1988's critically acclaimed ''[[Lyte as a Rock]].'' The album spawned the singles "[[10% Dis]]" and "[[Paper Thin (MC Lyte song)|Paper Thin]]".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/5923011/ladies-first-31-female-rappers-who-changed-hip-hop?page=0%2C28 |title=Ladies First: 31 Female Rappers Who Changed Hip-Hop |magazine=Billboard.com |date=March 31, 2014 |access-date=May 8, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Stone">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/hip-hops-greatest-year-fifteen-albums-that-made-rap-explode-107337/|title=Hip-Hop's Greatest Year: Fifteen Albums That Made Rap Explode|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=2008-02-12|access-date=2020-06-06}}</ref>
In 1989, she joined the [[Supergroup (music)|supergroup]] [[Stop the Violence|Stop the Violence Movement]], and appeared on the single "[[Self Destruction (song)|Self Destruction]]", which was the inaugural number-one single on the [[Billboard Hot Rap Singles|''Billboard'' Hot Rap Singles]] chart. That same year, she released her second album ''[[Eyes on This]]'', which became one of the first albums by a female solo rapper to chart on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/725151-mc-lyte-eyes-on-this|title=MC Lyte's "Eyes On This" LP Turns 34|magazine=[[HotNewHipHop]]|date=2023-10-17|access-date=2024-03-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://madamenoire.com/1322878/mc-lyte-eyes-on-this/|title=MC Lyte Released Her Second Album 'Eyes On This' 33 Years Ago Today|magazine=[[MadameNoire]]|date=September 12, 2022|access-date=March 9, 2024}}</ref> That album included the single "[[Cha Cha Cha (MC Lyte song)|Cha Cha Cha]]". In 1991, MC Lyte released the hit single "[[Poor Georgie]]", which marked her first appearance on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]. Her 1993 single "[[Ruffneck (song)|Ruffneck]]", made her the first solo woman rapper to achieve a [[Music recording certification|gold certification]] from the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA).<ref name=hhia>{{cite book|last=Hess|first=Mickey|date=2009|title=Hip Hop in America: A Regional Guide|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XkCncJ7j744C&dq=hip+hop+in+america+a+regional+guide+MC+Lyte%27s+Grammy+nominated+song+%27%27Ruffneck%27%27+was+the+first+gold+single+ever&pg=PA84|publisher=Greenwood|page=84|isbn=978-0313343216}}</ref> In 1994, she collaborated with [[Janet Jackson]] on the song "[[You Want This]]", and was featured alongside [[Queen Latifah]] and [[Yo-Yo (rapper)|Yo-Yo]] on the remix track "[[I Wanna Be Down#Hip hop remix|I Wanna Be Down]]" by [[Brandy Norwood|Brandy]]. Her 1996 single "[[Keep On, Keepin' On (MC Lyte song)|Keep On, Keepin' On]]" featuring [[Xscape (group)|Xscape]], reached the top ten on ''Billboard'' Hot 100. She then collaborated with [[Missy Elliott]] on the hit song "[[Cold Rock a Party]]", which would become her fifth number-one song on the Hot Rap Singles chart. In [[46th Annual Grammy Awards|2004]], she was nominated for a [[Grammy Award for Best Female Rap Solo Performance]] for the track "[[Ride Wit Me (MC Lyte song)|Ride Wit Me]]".
Throughout her career, MC Lyte had collaborations with mainstream artists such as [[Sinéad O'Connor]], [[Will Smith]], [[Mary J. Blige]], [[Jay-Z]], [[Moby]], [[Aerosmith]], [[Beyoncé]] and [[will.i.am]]; and has been cited as an influence to many women in hip hop. ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' & ''[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]'' ranked her as one of the 50 greatest rappers (2023).<ref name="bv">{{Cite magazine |last1=Rouhani |first1=Carl Lamarre, Gail Mitchell, Keith Murphy, Michael Saponara, Datwon Thomas, Mark Elibert, Eric Diep, William E. Ketchum III, Heran Mamo, Neena |last2=Lamarre |first2=Carl |last3=Mitchell |first3=Gail |last4=Murphy |first4=Keith |last5=Saponara |first5=Michael |last6=Thomas |first6=Datwon |last7=Elibert |first7=Mark |last8=Diep |first8=Eric |last9=III |first9=William E. Ketchum |date=2023-02-08 |title=50 Greatest Rappers of All Time |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-rappers-all-time/ |access-date=2023-08-28 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> She has received the "I Am Hip Hop" Icon Lifetime Achievement from the [[BET Hip Hop Awards]], and was honored at the [[Hip Hop Honors|VH1 Hip Hop Honors]]. In October 2014, Lyte become the first female artist to perform Hip Hop at the [[White House]].<ref name="MC Lyte">{{cite web|url=https://nbmbaa.org/mc-lyte/ |website=[[National Black MBA Association|NBMBAA]]
|date= |access-date=February 4, 2023 |title=MC Lyte}}</ref> In September 2016 she was awarded with the [[W. E. B. Du Bois Medal]], [[Harvard University]]'s highest honor in the field of African and African-American studies.<ref name="hu">{{cite web |date=September 26, 2016 |title=Pam Grier, MC Lyte Among Recipients Of Harvard's W.E.B. Du Bois Medals |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/pam-grier-mc-lyte-among-142355837.html |accessdate=February 4, 2023 |website=[[Yahoo!]] (website)}}</ref> In addition to her career as a rapper, she has worked in parallel as voiceover talent for various events, writer, [[Disc jockey|DJ]] and has starred in various roles in film and television. In 2022 has her directional debut with the short film ''Break Up In Love''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kennedy-center.org/artists/m/ma-mn/-mc-lyte/ |title=MC Lyte |website=[[John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts|Kennedy Center]] (Website) |access-date=June 10, 2022}}</ref> Lyte has also worked with several charities, including her own foundation, ''Hip Hop Sisters''.<ref name="Grimm">{{cite web|last=Grimm|first=Marrio|date=October 29, 2010|title=MC Lyte on Her Site for Women 'Hip Hop Sisters'|url=http://www.hiphopclub.biz/2010/10/hip-hop-sisters-women-in-hip-hop-who-are-changing-the-world|access-date=October 29, 2010|website=HipHopClub.biz}}</ref>
==Early life==
'''Lana Michele Moorer''' was born in the [[Queens]] borough of New York City<ref>{{Cite web |title=MC, Lyte {{!}} Encyclopedia.com |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/mc-lyte |access-date=2024-06-05 |website=www.encyclopedia.com}}</ref> and was raised in the [[East Flatbush, Brooklyn|East Flatbush]] section of [[Brooklyn]], New York City. She began [[rapper|rapping]] at the age of 12.<ref name= "first ladies">{{cite web | url=  http://thesource.com/2016/03/25/the-first-ladies-of-rap-mc-lyte/ | title= The First Ladies Of Rap: MC Lyte | first= KC | last= Orcutt | work= [[The Source]]|  date= March 25, 2016 | access-date= September 2, 2016}}</ref> MC Lyte's original stage name was Sparkle.<ref name=halftimeinterview /> She began recording her first track at age 14, although it took two years before it was able to be released.<ref name=clip>{{cite web| author= MC Lyte| url= http://www.vibe.com/photo-gallery/full-clip-mc-lyte-breaks-down-her-entire-catalogue-brandy-janet-jackson-ll-cool-j-more | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715064736/http://www.vibe.com/photo-gallery/full-clip-mc-lyte-breaks-down-her-entire-catalogue-brandy-janet-jackson-ll-cool-j-more |archive-date= July 15, 2014| date= January 7, 2011| website= [[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe.com]]| url-status= dead| title= Full Clip: MC Lyte Breaks Down Her Entire Catalogue (Brandy, Janet Jackson, LL Cool J & More)| access-date= September 2, 2016}}</ref>{{rp|1}}
She regards [[Milk Dee]] and [[Audio Two|DJ Giz]], the hip hop duo [[Audio Two]], as "totally like [her] brothers", because the three grew up together. Audio Two's father, Nat Robinson, started a label for them called [[First Priority Music|First Priority]].<ref name=halftimeinterview>{{cite interview| quote= Actually Milk and Giz are totally like my brothers but they are not my blood brothers but I was basically raised within that family. |author= MC Lyte| title= MC Lyte | url= http://halftimeonline.net/blog/mc-lyte/| website= HalftimeOnline.net| access-date= September 2, 2016}}</ref> After making the label, Robinson cut a deal with [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]] under a condition that Lyte would get a record contract with Atlantic as well.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Vibe History of Hip Hop|last=Light|first=Alan|publisher=[[Three Rivers Press]]|year=1999|isbn=0-609-80503-7|location=New York City|pages=[https://archive.org/details/vibehistoryofhip00ligh/page/182 182]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/vibehistoryofhip00ligh/page/182}}</ref>
==Musical career==
=== Beginnings: ''Lyte as a Rock'' and ''Eyes on This'' (1987–1990) ===
In 1987, at the age of 16,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://genius.com/Mc-lyte-i-cram-to-understand-u-lyrics#about |title=I Cram To Understand U - MC Lyte |website=[[Genius (website)|Genius]] |access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref> Lyte released her debut single, "[[I Cram to Understand U (Sam)]]", being one of the first songs written about the [[Crack epidemic in the United States|crack era]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/mc-lyte-the-very-best-of-mc-lyte-2495972448.html |title=MC Lyte: The Very Best of MC Lyte |website=[[PopMatters]] |date=September 3, 2001 |access-date=May 23, 2020}}</ref> She was 12 years old at the time she wrote the song.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://medium.com/micro-chop/mc-lyte-was-12-when-she-wrote-i-cram-to-understand-you-cd42e369661d |title=MC Lyte Was 12 When She Wrote "I Cram To Understand U" |website=[[Medium (website)|medium.com]] |date=December 4, 2016 |access-date=May 19, 2020}}</ref>
[[File:Firehouse Studios 1988.JPG|right|thumb|MC Lyte in 1988 at Firehouse Studios in Brooklyn with her producers Gizmo, Milk D and King of Chill and engineer Yoram Vazan.]]In April 1988<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1988/BB-1988-04-16.pdf/|title=Billboard Album Reviews|date=April 16, 1988}}</ref> she would release her debut album ''[[Lyte as a Rock]]''.<ref name=clip /> In addition to "I Cram to Understand U (Sam)" were released as singles "[[Paper Thin (MC Lyte song)|Paper Thin]]", the eponymous "[[Lyte as a Rock (song)|Lyte as a Rock]]", and "[[10% Dis]]" (a [[Diss (music)|diss track]] to then-[[Hurby Azor]] associate [[Antoinette (rapper)|Antoinette]]).<ref name=clip /> The album peaked #50 on the then [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|''Billboard'' Top Black Albums]]. Despite not having a great commercial performance, it is considered one of the best and most important rap albums, both in the 80s and in history.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/www.nme.com/photos/25-albums-that-changed-hip-hop-forever-1414444%3famp |website=[[Complex Networks (media)|NME]].com |date=October 4, 2018 |access-date=May 19, 2020 |title= 25 Albums That Changed Hip-Hop Forever}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/50-greatest-rap-albums-1980s/ |website=[[Complex Networks (media)|Complex]] |date=August 5, 2013 |access-date=May 20, 2020 |title= The Best Rap Albums of the '80s}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-200-best-albums-of-the-1980s/?page=3 |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |date=September 10, 2018 |access-date=May 20, 2020 |title= The 200 Best Albums of the 1980s}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/source.htm |website=rocklistmusic.com
|access-date=May 20, 2020 |title= The Source: 100 Best Rap Albums}}</ref> That year [[The Village Voice]] magazine would rate Lyte as "the best female vocalist in hip-hop".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-1988-11-26-2662243-story,amp.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724020309/https://www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-1988-11-26-2662243-story,amp.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 24, 2021 |title=Brooklyn's M.C. Lyte Raps It Like It Is On The Street |website=The Morning Call |date=November 26, 1988 |access-date=October 31, 2020 }}</ref> Lyte was also featured in the remix and music video of "[[I Want Your (Hands on Me)]]" by Irish singer [[Sinéad O'Connor]], which debuted in May of that year on [[MTV]].
In January 1989 Lyte joined [[Stop the Violence Movement]] with [[Boogie Down Productions]], [[Public Enemy (band)|Public Enemy]] and [[Heavy D]], among others. Together they released the single "[[Self Destruction (song)|Self Destruction]]" in response to violence in the hip hop and African American communities. The song debuted at #1 on the first week of [[Hot Rap Songs|''Billboard'' Hot Rap Singles]] existence<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/archive/charts/1989/rap-song|title=Hot Rap Songs – 1989 Archive – Billboard Charts Archive|website=Billboard.com|access-date=June 24, 2021}}</ref> and the proceeds were donated to the [[National Urban League]].<ref name="Okayplayer">{{cite web|url=https://www.okayplayer.com/music/the-making-krs-one-stop-the-violence-movements-self-destruction-single-89.html|title=How Stop The Violence Movement's "Self Destruction" Became One of the Most Important Rap Releases|publisher=[[Okayplayer]]|date=January 15, 2019|access-date=December 29, 2019}}</ref> In late August of that year, her song "[[I'm Not Havin' It]]" with [[Positive K]] would have an entry on the ''Billboard'' Hot Rap Singles (peaking at #16), becoming MC Lyte's first appearance on a chart as solo artist. In October 1989 Lyte would publish her second album ''[[Eyes on This]]''. This album, like its predecessor, received a great critical reception and is recognized as a hip hop classic.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thesource.com/2019/09/12/mc-lyte-sophomore-lp/ |website=[[The Source]] |date=September 12, 2019 |access-date=May 19, 2020 |title=Today in Hip-Hop History: MC Lyte Drops Her Sophomore 'Eyes On This' LP 30 Years Ago |archive-date=August 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814022713/https://thesource.com/2019/09/12/mc-lyte-sophomore-lp/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> With ''[[Eyes on This]]'' she became the first solo female rapper to have an entry on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]. From this album came the singles "[[Cha Cha Cha (MC Lyte song)|Cha Cha Cha]]" (with which for the first time as solo artist she charted on the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|''Billboard'' Hot Black Singles]] and reached #1 on the Hot Rap Singles). "[[Stop, Look, Listen (MC Lyte song)|Stop, Look, Listen]]", and the [[Political hip hop#Conscious hip hop|socially conscious]] "[[Cappucino (song)|Cappucino]]". During that year she also collaborated with [[Foster & McElroy]], known for their work with [[En Vogue]] and [[Tony! Toni! Toné!]], in the song "Dr. Soul". This single peaked #10 on ''Billboard'' Black Songs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/www.okayplayer.com/music/what-were-the-first-rap-rb-collaborations.html |website=[[Okayplayer]] |date= |access-date=June 9, 2022 |title=Ten Songs From the Late '80s that Kicked Off R&B & Rap Collaborations}}</ref>
In 1990 MC Lyte performed at [[Carnegie Hall]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/www.theroot.com/carnegie-hall-goes-black-1790869003/|publisher=theroot.com|date=April 3, 2009|access-date=May 19, 2020|title=Carnegie Hall Goes Black}}</ref>
MC Lyte's DJ since the start of her career, DJ K-Rock, is a cousin, Kennith Moorer; aside from a break in 1992, the two have toured consistently to the present.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.al.com/entertainment/2018/02/first_priority_how_a_legendary.html|title=Alabama man is a legendary DJ -- and a postal worker|date=February 23, 2018|website=Al.com|access-date=June 24, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fox10tv.com/news/local-mail-carrier-is-actually-a-legendary-dj/article_7118ccf2-e98e-598d-8a8d-6daf17d7594c.html|title=Local mail carrier is actually a legendary DJ|first=Toi|last=Thornton|website=FOX10 News|access-date=June 24, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.okayplayer.com/music/mc-lyte-lyte-as-a-rock-interview.html|title=MC Lyte Speaks on the Legacy of Her Iconic Debut 'Lyte as a Rock' [INTERVIEW]|date=November 29, 2018|website=Okayplayer.com|access-date=June 24, 2021}}</ref> During that time she also had her own dancers, Leg One and Leg Two, who performed with her both in shows and in music videos.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mauludsadiq.medium.com/where-d-the-dancers-go-or-cholly-atkins-ain-t-choreograph-yo-steps-why-you-dance-like-that-d9ab609f59f6|publisher=[[Medium (website)|medium.com]]|date=October 17, 2015|access-date=December 10, 2020|title=The Rise and Fall of Hip-Hop Dance}}</ref>
=== 1991–1995: ''Act Like You Know'' and ''Ain't No Other'' ===
On May 1, 1991, Lyte performed on "Yo! Unplugged Rap", the first [[MTV Unplugged]] to feature rap artists, alongside [[A Tribe Called Quest]], [[De La Soul]] and [[LL Cool J]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ozy.com/good-sht/when-hip-hop-plugged-into-unplugged/33599/ |title=When Hip-Hop Plugged Into 'Unplugged' |website=TV OZY |date=September 23, 2014 |access-date=May 19, 2020 |archive-date=June 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618094157/https://www.ozy.com/good-sht/when-hip-hop-plugged-into-unplugged/33599/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Her performance was praised by [[Entertainment Weekly]]'s [[Ken Tucker]], who commented, "MC Lyte performed her song 'Cappucino' like a rapping [[Aretha Franklin]]: Lyte brought out the soul in her lyrics."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.google.com/ew.com/article/1991/05/24/unplugged-10/%3famp=true |title=Unplugged |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] (website) |date= May 24, 1991|access-date=February 10, 2021}}</ref> In September 1991, Lyte released her third album, ''[[Act Like You Know (MC Lyte album)|Act Like You Know]]'', which incorporates a softer [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]/[[New Jack Swing]] sound across some of the tracks.<ref>{{cite web|title=MC Lyte – Act Like You Know|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/act-like-you-know-mw0000272569}}</ref> This release received more mixed reviews than her previous albums and commercially it performed more weakly than its predecessor,  ''Eyes on This''. From this album came the singles "[[When in Love]]" and the socially conscious "[[Poor Georgie]]" (Lyte's first entry on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] and 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 Against Lies", which also included [[Big Daddy Kane]], [[Boogie Down Productions]], [[Run-DMC]], [[Queen Latifah]] and LL Cool J.
Between 1991 and 1992 Lyte participated in ''"The Greatest Rap Show Ever"'' concert held at [[Madison Square Garden]] with Public Enemy, [[Naughty by Nature]], Queen Latifah, [[Geto Boys]] and [[DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince]], among others.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://andscape.com/features/the-20-greatest-hip-hop-tours-of-all-time/ |title=The 20 greatest hip-hop tours of all time |website=[[Andscape]] |date=June 14, 2019 |access-date=December 10, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://rocktourdatabase.com/concerts/worlds-greatest-rap-show-0 |title=The World's Greatest Rap Show |website=rocktourdatabase.com |access-date=December 10, 2020}}</ref> In the fall of 1991, she also performed in the hip-hop special ''[[Dee Barnes|Sisters In The Name of Rap]]'' alongside [[Salt-N-Pepa]], [[Yo-Yo (rapper)|Yo-Yo]], Queen Latifah and [[Roxanne Shanté]], among many others. it was recorded at the Ritz in NYC as a [[pay-per-view]] TV concert and released on [[VHS]] the following year.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=April 24, 1992|title=Sisters in the Name of Rap|url=http://www.ew.com/article/1992/04/24/sisters-name-rap|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=10 December 2020}}</ref>
In October 1992, as part of the [[Mo' Money (soundtrack)|Mo Money soundtrack]], MC Lyte collaborated with [[Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis]], known primarily for their work with [[Janet Jackson]], on the single "[[Ice Cream Dream]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theboombox.com/yall-musta-forgot-the-dopeness-of-the-mo-money-soundtrack/|title=Y'all Musta Forgot: The Dopeness of the 'Mo' Money' Soundtrack |website=[[Townsquare Media|The Boombox]] |date=August 4, 2017|accessdate=July 29, 2021}}</ref> In 1992 she also performed on [[Kris Kross]]'s ''Back to School Jam'' tour, which also featured A Tribe Called Quest and [[Fu-Schnickens]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1992-11-06-9202270895-story.html |title=Kriss Kross Misses The Bus at Sunrise |website=[[Sun-Sentinel]] |date=November 6, 1992 |access-date=January 27, 2023}}</ref>
Also during that year Lyte began work on her next album, titled ''[[Ain't No Other]]'', which was released on June 22, 1993. With this album, in which she adopts a more [[Hardcore hip hop|hardcore]] hip hop sound, Lyte achieved better critical reception than her predecessor. "[[Ruffneck (song)|Ruffneck]]" was released as a single,<ref name=clip /> which would become her first top 40 single on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, peaking at #35, and fourth #1 on the Hot Rap Singles, also earning her first [[gold certification]]. With "Ruffneck" MC Lyte would also get a nomination for the [[36th Annual Grammy Awards|36th edition]] of the [[Grammy Awards]] in the [[Best Rap Solo Performance]] category. In October of that year, Lyte performed at the ''1993 Budweiser Superfest'' with [[SWV]], [[Bell Biv Devoe]], [[LeVert]], Big Daddy Kane and [[Silk (group)|Silk]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.concertarchives.org/concerts/budweiser-superfest-25f45ab9-4810-46d4-b160-8a1ddb1cb63d|title=Bell Biv Devoe / Big Daddy Kane / SWV / Silk / LeVert / MC Lyte / Tag Team |website=concertarchives.org |date=|accessdate=June 11, 2022}}</ref>
In May 1994 MC Lyte participated on the performance on the finale of ''[[The Arsenio Hall Show]]'', alongside the likes of [[KRS-One]], [[Wu-Tang Clan]], Naughty by Nature, [[Guru (rapper)|Guru]] of [[Gang Starr]], Yo-Yo, [[Das EFX]] and A Tribe Called Quest, among others.<ref>{{cite web|title=Here's The Story Behind The All-Star Cypher That Ended The Arsenio Hall Show|url=https://ambrosiaforheads.com/2019/05/arsenio-hall-show-hip-hop-freestyle-cypher-finale-history-video/|publisher=ambrosiaforheads.com|date=23 May 2019  |access-date=28 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Queen Latifah Produced "Surprise" Segment On The Last "Aresenio Hall Show" And It's Hip-Hop History|date=March 22, 2018 |url=https://foxync.com/3579685/queen-latifah-produced-surprise-segment-on-the-last-aresenio-hall-show-and-its-hip-hop-history/amp/|publisher=Foxy 107.1-104.3|access-date=28 March 2021}}</ref> In June collaborates with [[Ice Cube]], Public Enemy's [[Chuck D]] and [[Ice-T]] on Public Enemy's [[Terminator X]] album ''[[Super Bad (Terminator X album)|Super Bad]]''. In the middle of 1994 she collaborated with [[Janet Jackson]] on the single remix and music video for "[[You Want This]]", peaking at #8 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and earning a nomination for Music Video of the Year at the 2th edition of the [[Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards]]. Also during the summer of '94 participated in Janet Jackson's [[Janet World Tour]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Mc Lyte|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/literature-and-arts/film-and-television-biographies/mc-lyte|publisher=[[Encyclopedia.com]]|access-date=22 December 2020}}</ref>
In early 1995, she collaborated with Queen Latifah and Yo-Yo on the remix of [[Brandy Norwood|Brandy]]'s top 10 single "[[I Wanna Be Down]]", earning a nomination at the [[1995 MTV Video Music Awards|12th edition]] of the [[MTV Video Music Award]] in the [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video|Best Rap Video]] category. In April of that year collaborated alongside [[Meshell Ndegeocello]], [[Patra (singer)|Patra]], Yo-Yo, Latifah, [[Salt-N-Pepa]] and [[TLC (band)|TLC]]'s [[Lisa Lopes|'' Left Eye '' Lopes]] in the rap remix of "[[Freedom (Theme from Panther)|Freedom]]" on the ''[[Panther (film)|Panther]]'' movie [[Panther (film)#soundtrack|soundtrack]]<ref name=z>{{cite web|url=https://zora.medium.com/the-true-story-behind-freedom-the-peak-black-girl-song-of-the-1990s-13119055c8e|publisher=ZORA|date=May 21, 2020|access-date=May 22, 2020|title=The True Story Behind 'Freedom,' the Peak Black Girl Song of the 1990s}}</ref>  In June she performed at the ''Jam for Peace'' with [[Warren G]], [[Mary J. Blige]], [[Brownstone (group)|Brownstone]], [[Adina Howard]], [[Montell Jordan]] and [[Soul for Real]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.concertarchives.org/concerts/jam-for-peace|title=Jam for Peace |website=concertarchives.org |date=|accessdate=June 11, 2022}}</ref> That year she also collaborated with [[Lin Que]] on the remix of Mary J. Blige's "[[You Bring Me Joy (Mary J. Blige song)|You Bring Me Joy]]".
=== 1996–1998: ''Bad as I Wanna B'' and ''Seven & Seven'' ===
[[File:M.C. Lyte 1996.jpg|right|thumb|MC Lyte in 1996]] In February 1996, MC Lyte collaborated on the R&B group [[Xscape (group)|Xscape]]'s single "[[Can't Hang/Do You Want To|Can't Hang]]". In that month also collaborated with [[Lord Finesse]] on the interlude "Taking It Lyte" from his album ''[[The Awakening (Lord Finesse album)|The Awakening]]''. In March, after signing with [[East West Records]], she released "[[Keep On Keepin' On (MC Lyte song)|Keep On Keepin' On]]", the first single from her forthcoming album. This new collaboration with Xscape reached #10 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, her highest position on this chart as main artist, getting a gold certification. "Keep On Keepin' On" would also be part of the [[Sunset Park (soundtrack)|soundtrack]] of the film ''[[Sunset Park (film)|Sunset Park]]''. In September win the Best R&B, Soul or Rap Video category in the 3th edition of [[Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards]] with this song.<ref>{{cite book|last=Reynolds|first=J.R.|date=1996|title=Billboard 21 Sep. 1996|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wwkEAAAAMBAJ&dq=lady+of+soul+soul+train+mc+lyte+best+video&pg=PA29|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|page=29|isbn=}}</ref> In August of that same year, Lyte released her fifth album, ''[[Bad as I Wanna B]]''. With tracks with a [[Pop music|Pop]]/R&B-oriented sound<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theboombox.com/5-best-songs-from-mc-lytes-bad-as-i-wanna-b/|title=5 Best Songs from MC Lyte's 'Bad As I Wanna B' |website=[[Townsquare Media|The Boombox]] |date=August 27, 2016|accessdate=June 11, 2022}}</ref> 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]].<ref name= clip /> This single peaked at #11 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and would become her fifth #1 single on the Hot Rap Singles (fourth as lead artist), earning a gold certification. It also enters the top 40 of various charts outside the United States, being #1 and certified [[Music recording certification|platinum]] in [[Recorded Music NZ|New Zealand]].<ref>{{cite web|title=OFFICIAL TOP 40 SINGLES|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/singles/1997-07-04|publisher=[[Recorded Music NZ|The Official New Zealand Music Chart]] |access-date=6 February 2023}}</ref>
In February 1997 "Keep on Pushin" was included in the [[Dangerous Ground (soundtrack)|soundtrack]] of ''[[Dangerous Ground (1997 film)|Dangerous Ground]]'', in which MC Lyte, [[Bahamadia]], [[Nonchalant]] and Yo-Yo collaborate under the production of [[Pete Rock]].<ref>{{cite web|title=MC Lyte, Bahamadia & Yo-Yo's Pete Rock-Produced Cut Still Speaks Today (Audio)|url=https://ambrosiaforheads.com/2018/01/mc-lyte-bahamadia-nonchalant-yo-yo-pete-rock-song/|publisher=ambrosiaforheads.com|date=January 11, 2018 |access-date=13 June 2022}}</ref> In March 1997, she collaborated with [[R&B]] singer [[Billy Lawrence]] on the single "[[Come On (Billy Lawrence song)|Come On]]", which was included in the soundtrack of the movie ''[[Set It Off (film)#Music|Set it Off]]''. Between June and July of that year she embarked on a [[United Service Organizations|USO]] Tour, performing for American troops in Italy and Greece.<ref name=Hess>{{cite book|last=Hess|first=Mickey|date=2009|title=Hip Hop in America: A Regional Guide|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XkCncJ7j744C&q=USO+Tour&pg=PA84|publisher=Greenwood|page=84|isbn=978-0313343216}}</ref> In November she collaborated with LL Cool J and [[Busta Rhymes]] on the [[Levert.Sweat.Gill|debut album]] of the R&B [[supergroup (music)|supergroup]] [[LSG (band)|LSG]] on the track "Curious", which was later released as single. That year Lyte also collaborated with [[Parliament-Funkadelic]]'s [[Bootsy Collins]] on the single "I'm Leavin U (Gotta Go, Gotta Go)" from his album ''[[Fresh Outta 'P' University]]''.
[[File:Mc lyte-05.jpg|right|thumb|MC Lyte in [[Hamburg]], [[Germany]], in 1998]]
In August 1998 MC Lyte released her sixth studio album ''[[Seven & Seven (MC Lyte album)|Seven & Seven]]''. This would have a poor commercial and critical reception despite having the collaboration of famous producers and artists such as [[The Neptunes]], LL Cool J, Missy Elliott, [[L.E.S. (record producer)|L.E.S.]] and [[Trackmasters]], which would lead to Lyte's departure from EastWest Records. That year she also embarks again on a USO Tour, performing in Germany.<ref name=Hess />
=== 1999–2012: Collaborations and releases independently ===
In November 1999 MC Lyte collaborated in the remix of [[Jamming (song)|Jammin]] of [[Bob Marley]] in the remix album ''[[Chant Down Babylon]]''. This track would later be released as single. During that month she also collaborated with [[Will Smith]] and [[Tatyana Ali]] on "Who Am I" from Smith's album ''[[Willennium]]''.
In March 2000 MC Lyte collaborated with [[Common (rapper)|Common]] and [[Bilal (American singer)|Bilal]] on the track "A Film Called (Pimp)" on Common's album ''[[Like Water for Chocolate (album)|Like Water for Chocolate]]''.
In September 2001 her first compilation album ''[[The Very Best of MC Lyte]]'' was released.
In April 2002 the soundtrack for the TV series ''[[Dark Angel (American TV series)|Dark Angel]]'' is released, which includes Lyte's songs "Dark Angel Theme" (in collaboration with Public Enemy) and "No Dealz" (with Ericka Yancey). In May of that year, MC Lyte collaborated with [[Angie Stone]] on the album version of "[[Jam for the Ladies]]" by electronica musician [[Moby]]. In November she collaborates with [[Erick Sermon]] and [[Rah Digga]] on the track "Tell Me" on Sermon's album ''[[React (Erick Sermon album)|React]]''. During that time Lyte also became honorary member of Sermon and [[Redman (rapper)|Redman]]'s supergroup [[Def Squad]].<ref name="hdd" />
In March 2003, Lyte released the independently produced record ''[[Da Undaground Heat, Vol. 1]]'', featuring [[Jamie Foxx]]. The album has little commercial impact and mixed reviews, but the single "[[Ride Wit Me]]" get a nomination for the [[46th Annual Grammy Awards|46th edition]] of the [[Grammy Awards]] in the [[Grammy Award for Best Female Rap Solo Performance|Best Female Rap Vocal Performance]] category. In June of that year she teamed the rock group [[Aerosmith]], Public Enemy's [[Chuck D]] and [[Flavor Flav]], Busta Rhymes and [[Phife Dawg]] in the group the Spitballers. Together release "Let's Get Loud (Everybody Get Up)", which became the opening song of the 11th edition of the  [[ESPY Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/5n772z/for-the-record-quick-news-on-luther-vandross-dmx-chili-peppers-eve-snoop-lance-bass-mest-more|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127223425/https://www.mtv.com/news/5n772z/for-the-record-quick-news-on-luther-vandross-dmx-chili-peppers-eve-snoop-lance-bass-mest-more|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 27, 2023|title=For The Record: Quick News On Luther Vandross, DMX, Chili Peppers, Eve, Snoop, Lance Bass, Mest & More |website=[[MTV]] (website)|date=June 27, 2003 |access-date=January 27, 2023}}</ref> In August Lyte collaborated with [[Beyoncé]], Missy Elliott and [[Free Marie|Free]] on the single "[[Fighting Temptation]]" as part of the soundtrack for [[The Fighting Temptations|the homonymous film]].<ref>{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://slantmagazine.com/music/review/the-fighting-temptations-original-soundtrack/318| url-status=live | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211027/https://slantmagazine.com/music/review/the-fighting-temptations-original-soundtrack/318| archive-date=October 27, 2021|title=The Fighting Temptations Original Soundtrack|first=Ed|last=Gonzalez|website=[[Slant Magazine]]|date=September 14, 2003|access-date=March 22, 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref> That same month she released the compilation album ''The Shit I Never Dropped'', which includes previously unreleased collaborations with En Vogue's [[Dawn Robinson]], [[Da Brat]], Missy Elliott, Erick Sermon and [[Clipse]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-shit-i-never-dropped-mw0001332459 |website=[[AllMusic]] |date=
|access-date=January 28, 2021 |title= MC Lyte - The Shit I Never Dropped}}</ref> In September collaborates with [[Black Eyed Peas]]'s [[will.i.am]] and [[Fergie (singer)|Fergie]] on the track "Mash Out" on will.i.am album ''[[Must B 21]]''.
In May 2004, MC Lyte collaborated with [[Teena Marie]] and Medusa on the song "The Mackin' Game" from Teena Marie's album ''[[La Doña (album)|La Doña]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/la-teena-marie-cash-money-135935367.html |title=La Doña': Teena Marie's Cash Money Comeback Hit |website=[[Yahoo!]] (website) |date= August 19, 2022 |accessdate=February 6, 2023}}</ref> In August he collaborated with [[Boyz II Men]] on their cover of "[[What You Won't Do for Love (song)|What You Won't Do for Love]]". That year Lyte was also nominated at the [[BET Awards 2004|4th edition]] of the [[BET Awards]] in the [[BET Award for Best Female Hip Hop Artist|Best Female Hip Hop Artist]] category.
In 2005, she released two songs produced by [[Richard Wolf (Film & TV composer)|Richard "Wolfie" Wolf]] called "Can I Get It Now" and "Don't Walk Away". MC Lyte's song "My Main Aim" was the title song of the basketball video game ''[[NBA Live 2005]]'' by [[EA Sports]]. That year also collaborated with the Polish-born German producer [[DJ Tomekk]] on the track "Partyverlauf" from his album ''[[Numma Eyns]]''.
In July 2006 MC Lyte releases "The Wonder Years" in collaboration with [[DJ Premier]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/check-out-mc-lytes-new-video-for-the-wonder-years-with-dj-premier/|title=Check out MC Lyte's new video for "The Wonder Years" with DJ Premier |website=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL Mag]] (website)|date=July 15, 2006 |access-date=January 27, 2023}}</ref> In October of that year, Lyte was one of the artists honored at the 3th edition of the [[Hip Hop Honors|VH1 Hip Hop Honors]], where she perform with Da Brat, [[Lil' Kim]], Yo-Yo and [[Remy Ma]]. Lyte would be the first female solo rapper to achieve this recognition.<ref name="HHH">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1542620/lil-kim-mc-lyte-put-female-mcs-center-stage-at-hip-hop-honors/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029215015/http://www.mtv.com/news/1542620/lil-kim-mc-lyte-put-female-mcs-center-stage-at-hip-hop-honors/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 29, 2020|title=Lil' Kim, MC Lyte Put Female MCs Center Stage at Hip-Hop Honors |website=[[MTV]] (website)|date=October 9, 2006 |access-date=May 24, 2021}}</ref> During that time also performed on the ''"Ebony Black Family Reunion Tour"'' along with [[Doug E. Fresh]], [[Slick Rick]], and [[Whodini]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/rwqrnr/where-ya-been-90s-hip-hop-edition-onyx-mc-lyte-rob-base-young-black-teenagers|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128002018/https://www.mtv.com/news/rwqrnr/where-ya-been-90s-hip-hop-edition-onyx-mc-lyte-rob-base-young-black-teenagers|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 28, 2023|title=Where Ya Been? '90s Hip-Hop Edition: Onyx, MC Lyte, Rob Base, Young Black Teenagers |website=[[MTV]] (website)|date=August 24, 2006 |access-date=January 27, 2023}}</ref>
[[File:MC Lyte.jpg|right|thumb|Lyte at the October 14, 2007 [[BET Hip Hop Awards]]]] In 2007 MC Lyte joined [[The Roots]] and Big Daddy Kane on the ''"VH1 Hip Hop Honors Tour"''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/roots-ready-to-rock-the-classics-on-vh1-tour-1049591/|title=In 2007 MC Lyte joined The Roots and Big Daddy Kane on the VH1 Hip Hop Honors tour. |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] (website)|date=August 30, 2007 |access-date=January 27, 2023}}</ref> On July 9 performed at the opening of the 25th annual [[Martin Luther King Jr. Concert Series]] in Brooklyn. That month also performed for first time at the ''[[Essence Music Festival]]'' in New Orleans.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/music/essence-fest-2007-recap/article_c7dd33cb-3fd4-5ce6-9c20-658ff127bf1a.html|title=Essence Fest 2007 recap |website=NOLA.com|date=July 10, 2007 |access-date=February 7, 2023}}</ref> In 2007 Lyte also released the singles "Mad At Me" and "Money" with KRS-One, the latter part of KRS-One's album ''[[Adventures in Emceein]]''.
In May 2008, as member of the group Almost September with Philip "Whitey" White and [[Jared Lee Gosselin]], MC Lyte released ''[[The Almost September EP]]''. This features an [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]/[[Soul music|Soul]] oriented sound.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2009_11_almostsept.html|title=The Almost September EP :: One Records/Neo/Sony |website=RapReviews |date=November 24, 2009 |access-date=January 27, 2023}}</ref> Later she embarks with the group on a tour in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mclytenow.com/hi-lytes/discography-etc/|title=Discography, Etc. |website=mclytenow.com |date= |access-date=January 27, 2023}}</ref> In June is released the song "Closer", a collaboration with her cousin [[Charles Hamilton (rapper)|Charles Hamilton]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://soulbounce.com/2008/06/charles_hamilton_gets_closer_with_mc_lyte/|title=Charles Hamilton Gets 'Closer' With MC Lyte |website=[[Soul Bounce]] |date=June 18, 2008 |access-date=February 6, 2023}}</ref> In October of that year performed "Cha Cha Cha" at the [[2008 BET Hip Hop Awards|3th edition]] of the [[BET Hip Hop Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/www.inquirer.com/philly/phrequency/genres/hip_hop/BET_Hip-Hop_Awards_go_political.html%3foutput |title=BET Hip-Hop Awards go political |website=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer|Philadelphia Inquirer]] |date=October 22, 2008 |access-date=May 16, 2021}}</ref> In December MC Lyte collaborates with [[Jay-Z]] on "BK Anthem".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/pigeons-and-planes/2008/12/new-jay-z-ft-mc-lyte-bk-anthem|title=New! Jay-Z ft MC Lyte - BK Anthem |website=[[Complex Networks|Complex]] |date=December 8, 2008 |access-date=January 27, 2023}}</ref>
In February 2009 Lyte collaborated with [[India Arie]] on the track "Psalms 23" from her album ''[[Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics]]''. In June of that year, Lyte collaborated again with Teena Marie on the track "The Pressure" from her latest album ''[[Congo Square (album)|Congo Square]]''. In that year also released the single with a [[Reggae]]-oriented sound "Brooklyn".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://soulbounce.com/2009/06/mc_lyte_takes_us_to_brooklyn/|title=MC Lyte Takes Us To 'Brooklyn' |website=[[Soul Bounce]] |date=June 11, 2009 |access-date=February 3, 2023}}</ref>
In December 2010, she performed on the concert/TV Special ''[[VH1 Divas#VH1 Divas Salute The Troops|VH1 Divas Salute The Troops]]'', which also featured [[Nicki Minaj]], [[Katy Perry]], [[Keri Hilson]], and [[Heart (band)|Heart]].
In 2011 MC Lyte performed again at the ''Essence Music Festival''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.essence.com/photos/2011-essence-music-festival-lineup/#272190|title=2011 Essence Music Festival Lineup |website=[[Essence (magazine)|Essence]] (website) |date=October 29, 2020 |access-date=February 7, 2023}}</ref> and released the single "Dada da Da".
In March 2012 collaborated with Grammy-winning singer [[Macy Gray]] on the interlude "Really (Skit)" from her album ''[[Covered (Macy Gray album)|Covered]]''. That year she also released the single "Dopestyle" and her own [[Mobile app]] ''MC Lyte App'', where publishes her exclusive musical releases.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mclytenow.com/mc-lyte-app/|title=MC Lyte App |website=mclytenow.com |access-date=February 6, 2023}}</ref>
=== 2013–present: ''Legend'' and following projects ===
In January 2013 MC Lyte receives the Lifetime Achievement Award at [[Russell Simmons]]'s Hip Hop Inaugural Ball.<ref name="ib">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/2-chainz-john-legend-mc-lyte-honored-at-hip-hop-inaugural-ball-1516384/ |title=2 Chainz, John Legend, MC Lyte Honored at Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] (website) |date=January 21, 2013 |access-date=February 4, 2023}}</ref> In June of that year releases "Cravin'" in collaboration with [[High School Musical: Get in the Picture|Stan Carrizosa]] as the first single from her forthcoming album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thesource.com/2013/07/07/mc-lytes-got-a-cravin/ |title=MC Lyte's Got a "Cravin" |website=[[The Source]] (website) |date=July 7, 2013 |access-date=February 4, 2023}}</ref> In October, Lyte was honored with the Icon Lifetime Achievement "I Am Hip Hop" at the [[2013 BET Hip Hop Awards|8th edition]] of the [[BET Hip Hop Awards]] for her contributions to hip-hop culture.<ref name="BETHH">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/5687418/bet-honors-mc-lyte-with-i-am-hip-hop-award/|title=BET Honors MC Lyte With I Am Hip Hop Award |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] (website)|date=September 12, 2013 |access-date=May 24, 2021}}</ref>
In September 2014, "[[Dear John (MC Lyte song)|Dear John]]" (featuring [[Common (rapper)|Common]] & 10Beats) was released as the second single.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6244167/mc-lyte-dear-john-charts |title=MC Lyte Returns, Charts With 'Dear John' From Next Album |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] (website) |access-date=May 8, 2015}}</ref> That same month she reunited with Queen Latifah, Brandy and Yo-Yo to perform "I Wanna Be Down" at the [[2014 BET Hip Hop Awards]] in celebration of its 20th anniversary.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Brandy, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, & Yo-Yo Reunite at BET Hip-Hop Awards|magazine=[[Rap-Up]]|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2014/10/14/brandy-queen-latifah-mc-lyte-yo-yo-i-wanna-be-down-remix-bet-hip-hop-awards/|date=2014-10-14|access-date=2016-01-07}}</ref> On October 14, 2014, MC Lyte performed "Cha Cha Cha" and "Dear John" to the President [[Barack Obama]] at the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the legislation that created the [[National Endowment for the Humanities]] and the [[National Endowment for the Arts]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/s/www.cbsnews.com/news/president-obama-celebrates-american-music-with-eclectic-bunch/ |website=[[CBS News]]
|date=October 14, 2015 |access-date=October 1, 2021 |title= President Obama celebrates American music with "eclectic bunch"}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media | last=muzline |title=MC Lyte - Dear John / Cha Cha Cha (Live 2016) | url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bo_5FAx8Wdo | via=[[YouTube]] | date=January 10, 2016
|access-date=October 1, 2021}}</ref> becoming the first female artist to perform Hip Hop at the [[White House]].<ref name="MC Lyte"/> In November released "Ball" as the third single.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6319517/mc-lyte-ball-feat-lil-mama-av-exclusive-video-premiere |title=MC Lyte, 'Ball' Feat. Lil Mama & AV: Exclusive Video Premiere |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] (website) |access-date=October 2, 2021}}</ref>
In April 2015, MC Lyte released ''[[Legend (MC Lyte album)|Legend]]'', her eighth solo album and her first full-length studio album in 12 years.<ref>{{cite web| first= C. Vernon |last= Coleman |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2015/04/mc-lyte-drops-first-album-11-years-legend/ |title=MC Lyte Drops Her First Album in 12 Years, 'Legend |website=Xxl mag.com |date=April 18, 2015 |access-date=May 8, 2015}}</ref> As part of ''[[Record Store Day]]'', the album was available for 24 hours only on a limited-edition [[Phonograph record|vinyl]] collector's item.<ref name="complex">{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2015/04/mc-lyte-legend-vinyl-record-store-day |title=MC Lyte Releases Her First Album in 12 Years on Record Store Day |website=[[Complex Networks (media)|Complex]] |date=April 18, 2015 |accessdate=September 22, 2021}}</ref> Shortly before the album's release, the fourth and final single "Check" was released.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thesource.com/2015/04/02/exclusive-premiere-watch-mc-lytes-new-video-check/ |title=Exclusive Premiere: Watch MC Lyte's New Video, "Check" |website=[[The Source]] |date= April 2, 2015 |accessdate=October 2, 2021}}</ref>
In July 2016 Lyte performs at the ''Essence Music Festival'' in New Orleans.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2016/04/20/essence-festival-2016-p-diddy-common-performing/|title=Essence Festival 2016 lineup adds P. Diddy, Common |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=April 20, 2016 |access-date=February 7, 2023}}</ref> In September she is awarded the [[W. E. B. Du Bois Medal]], the [[Harvard University]]'s highest honor in the field of African and African-American studies.<ref name="hu"/> In October collaborated with [[Eric Benét]] on the track "Holdin' On" from [[Eric Benét (album)|his eponymous album]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://soulbounce.com/2016/10/soulbounce-exclusive-eric-benet-mc-lyte-will-have-you-holding-on-to-their-every-word/|title=SoulBounce Exclusive: Eric Benét & MC Lyte Will Have You 'Holdin On' To Their Every Word |website=[[Soul Bounce]] |date=October 4, 2016 |access-date=February 6, 2023}}</ref>
On June 11, 2017, during [[WQHT|Hot 97]]'s annual [[Summer Jam (festival)|Summer Jam]] music festival, Remy Ma brought out MC Lyte, along with [[The Lady of Rage]], [[Cardi B]], [[Young M.A]], [[Monie Love]], Lil' Kim, and Queen Latifah, to celebrate female rappers and perform Latifah's 1993 hit single "[[U.N.I.T.Y.]]" about [[female empowerment]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://allhiphop.com/2017/06/13/cardi-b-betray-nicki-minaj/|title=Did Cardi B Betray Nicki Minaj?|website=Allhiphop.com|date=June 13, 2017|access-date=July 17, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2017/06/remy-ma-nicki-minaj-summer-jam-screen-cardi-b-stage/ |title=Remy Ma Disses Nicki Minaj at 2017 Summer Jam, Brings Cardi B, Lil Kim on Stage – XXL |website=Xxlmag.com |date=June 12, 2017 |access-date=July 17, 2017}}</ref> Also released the single "Money on My Mind."
During 2018, she continued to release 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 Love and Remy Ma.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/queen-latifah-celebrates-with-hip-hop-legends-at-essence-festival-8464340/|title=Queen Latifah Celebrates With Hip-Hop Legends at Essence Festival|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] (website)|date=July 8, 2018|access-date=February 7, 2023}}</ref>
In January 2019 received The Trail Blazer Award at the Trumpet Awards in Atlanta with Yo Yo, [[Lil Mama]], Da Brat, [[Big Tigger]], and DJ K-Rock helping to celebrate with a performance of Lyte songs.<ref name="ta">{{cite web|url=https://www.11alive.com/article/entertainment/television/programs/the-a-scene/mc-lyte-lil-mama-robert-townsend-rodney-jerkins-celebrate-2019-bounce-tv-trumpet-awards/85-f431c6a2-4af7-4eb3-a4ae-b4afab6cda05 |title=MC Lyte, Lil Mama, Robert Townsend, Rodney Jerkins celebrate 2019 Bounce TV Trumpet Awards |website=11Alive.com |date=January 21, 2019 |accessdate=February 4, 2023}}</ref>
In 2024, Lyte scored and acted as music supervisor for the film adaptation of ''The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table'' by [[Minda Harts]]. The psychological thriller film, titled ''The Memo'', starred [[Kyla Pratt]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aswad |first=Jem |date=2024-07-25 |title=Kyla Pratt Stars in 'The Memo,' Film Adaptation of Minda Harts' Thriller, With Music by MC Lyte (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/kyla-pratt-the-memo-film-adaptation-minda-harts-1236084473/ |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Other ventures==
===Acting===
Her first acting role was in 1991, an off-Broadway theater play titled ''Club Twelve'', a hip-hop twist on ''[[Twelfth Night]]'' alongside [[Wyclef Jean]], [[Lauryn Hill]], and [[Lisa Nicole Carson]]. After she made her film debut in the 1993 movie titled ''{{interlanguage link|lt=Fly by Night|Fly by Night (1993 film)|fr|Fly by Night (film, 1993)}}'', starring alongside [[Jeffrey Sams]], Ron Brice, and Steve Gomer, she also starred other films, such as ''A Luv Tale'' (1999), ''[[Train Ride]]'' (2000), ''[[Civil Brand]]'' (2002) and ''Playa's Ball'' (2003). In 2011, she guest starred in the ''[[Regular Show]]'' episode "Rap It Up", portraying a member of a hip-hop group also including characters voiced by [[Tyler, the Creator]] and [[Donald Glover|Childish Gambino]]. Lyte signed with the production unit, Duc Tha Moon, for three years and eventually made a deal with Sirius Satellite Radio. Lyte also made appearances on the following television shows: Lyric Cafe, Hip Hop Honors, and Black in the 80s.{{citation needed|date=October 2022}}
In June 2006, MC Lyte was interviewed for the documentary ''The Rap Report, Part 2''. MC Lyte talked about her career in rap music and what it was like during the beginnings of hip hop. She also performed a concert of her most famous hits. The program was produced by Rex Barnett.
In 2007, Lyte joined the cast of MTV's ''Celebrity Rap Superstar''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/shows/celebrityrapsuperstar/episode.jhtml?episodeID=122368|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090814045633/http://www.mtv.com/shows/celebrityrapsuperstar/episode.jhtml?episodeID=122368|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 14, 2009|title=Celebrity Rap Superstar – Ep. 101 – Let the Raps Begin|website=MTV}}</ref> and coached [[Shar Jackson]] to a hip hop emcee victory in a mere eight weeks.
In 2017 Lyte played Detective Makena Daniels in the drama series [[Tales (TV series)|''Tales'']]. Immediately following she played DEA Special Agent Katrina 'K.C.' Walsh in the Police drama ''[[S.W.A.T. (2017 TV series)|S.W.A.T.]]'' and Tiffany in [[TV One (U.S. TV network)|TV ONE]] production ''Loved to Death''. Lyte has been featured on television as herself on such shows as ''[[In Living Color]]'', ''[[Moesha]]'', ''[[Cousin Skeeter]]'', ''[[New York Undercover]]'', ''[[My Wife and Kids]]'', and ''Sisters in the Name of Rap''. She also acted on such TV shows as ''[[In the House (TV series)|In the House]]'', ''[[Get Real (U.S. TV series)|Get Real]]'', ''[[Half & Half]]'', ''[[Queen of the South (TV series)|Queen of the South]]'', and ''[[The District]]''.
In 2020, Lyte starred in ''[[Bad Hair (2020 film)|Bad Hair]]'' directed by [[Justin Simien]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sundance-2020-unveils-female-powered-lineup-taylor-swift-gloria-steinem-films-1259538?|title=Sundance Unveils Female-Powered Lineup Featuring Taylor Swift, Gloria Steinem, Abortion Road Trip Drama|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|first=Tatiana|last=Siegel|date=December 4, 2019|access-date=December 15, 2019}}</ref> and ''[[Sylvie's Love]]'', a period piece set in the 1960s opposite [[Tessa Thompson]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/03/tessa-thompson-nnamdi-asomugha-sylvie-supporting-cast-1202572088/|title=Tessa Thompson/ Nnamdi Asomugha-Starrer 'Sylvie' Rounds Out Cast|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|first=Amanda|last=N'Duka|date=March 8, 2019|access-date=March 8, 2019}}</ref>
In 2021 and 2022, Lyte starred as Tina Nixon in VH1's Hip Hop Family Christmas and its respective sequel, Hip Hop Family Christmas Wedding alongside [[Keri Hilson]], [[Ne-Yo]], [[Terrence J]], [[Redman (rapper)|Redman]], and [[Serayah (actress)|Serayah]].
===Business and commerce===
MC Lyte opened Shaitel, a Los Angeles boutique that specialized in accessories from belts to sunglasses. "We sell a mixture of new and vintage [items]," she explained. "We also have a few signature pieces that are done just for the store. We boast to bring a little New York flavor out here to California."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.altiusdirectory.com/Society/2008/10/mc-lyte-11th-october-famous.html |title=MC Lyte, Birthday on October 11th, MC Lyte Biography, Career, Achievements |website=Altiusdirectory.com |date=October 11, 1971 |access-date=May 8, 2015}}</ref>
In 1997, MC Lyte launched Sunni Gyrl Inc., a global entertainment firm that specializes in artist management and development, production, and creative services and consulting.
===Voiceover===
In 1996, MC Lyte began doing voiceovers, working on a short-lived BET show called ''The Boot'' and doing some branding for the Starz network, [[Tide (brand)|Tide]], [[AT&T]], the [[National Urban League]], and many others. She did the voice of Tia for the Mattel toy line [[Diva Starz]] from 2000 to 2002.
===DJing===
DJ MC Lyte served as the DJ of choice at [[Michael Jordan]]'s 50th Birthday Celebration, at his 2013 wedding reception, and at [[Jay Leno]]'s farewell party.  Lyte has gone on to provide music for The [[Image Awards]], [[Nissan]], Google, [[Black Enterprise]], and many others.
===Speaker===
MC Lyte has spoken at colleges and universities, for organizations around the globe, and with notable people like [[Iyanla Vanzant]], [[Russell Simmons]], and [[Soledad O'Brien]] bringing a message of empowerment from her book ''Unstoppable: Igniting the Power Within to Achieve Your Greatest Potential''. She also partnered with the [[Thurgood Marshall College Fund]] on the iLEAD international tour<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thurgoodmarshallfund.net/events/ilead|title=Thurgood Marshall College Fund Presents iLead|website=Thurgood Marshall College Fund|date=May 1, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616052811/http://www.thurgoodmarshallfund.net/events/ilead|archive-date=June 16, 2013}}</ref> in South Africa to empower the continent's youth and up-and-coming leaders.
===Leadership and philanthropy===
In 1991, MC Lyte was featured in TV informercial promoting pro-choice abortion rights political action "The Most Exciting Women in Music" alongside [[Corina (American singer)|Corina]], Juliet Cuming, [[Kim Gordon]] ([[Sonic Youth]]), [[Lady Miss Kier]] ([[Deee-Lite]]), [[Kate Pierson]] ([[The B-52's]]), [[Crystal Waters]], [[Tina Weymouth]] ([[Talking Heads]], [[Tom Tom Club]]).<ref>{{Cite AV media | last=CheeseFoodProduct |title=The Most Exciting Women in Music | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUMLLsQozMg  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/qUMLLsQozMg| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live| publisher=[[YouTube]] | date=November 7, 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newsweek.com/raising-voice-choice-204072 | title=Raising a Voice for Choice | work=[[Newsweek]] | date=June 30, 1991}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2002/06/25/Today-in-Music-A-look-back-at-pop-music/42021025000319/ | title=Today in Music: A look back at pop music | work=[[United Press International]] | date=June 25, 2002}}</ref>
In February 2006, her diary, as well as a [[Phonograph|turntable]], [[gramophone record|records]], and other assorted ephemera from the early days of hip hop, were donated to the [[Smithsonian Institution]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://laht.com/article.asp?CategoryId=13003&ArticleId=227532|newspaper=Latin American Herald Tribune|title=MC Lyte's diary goes to Smithsonian|access-date=November 10, 2010|archive-date=July 13, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713183357/http://laht.com/article.asp?CategoryId=13003&ArticleId=227532|url-status=dead}}</ref> This collection, 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 genre from its inception.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Hip-Hop Comes to the Smithsonian |publisher=[[National Museum of American History]] |date=February 28, 2006 |url=http://americanhistory.si.edu/news/pressrelease.cfm?key=29&newskey=318 |access-date=March 6, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525191627/http://americanhistory.si.edu/news/pressrelease.cfm?key=29&newskey=318 |archive-date=May 25, 2012 }}</ref>
MC Lyte served as the President of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Recording Academy (the [[Grammy]] organization) from 2011 to 2013.<ref name=explains>{{cite web| url= http://hiphopdx.com/editorials/id.2704/title.mc-lyte-explains-how-to-join-the-recording-academy-vote-in-the-grammy-awards| website= HipHopDX.com| title= MC Lyte Explains How To Join The Recording Academy & Vote in the GRAMMY Awards| author= MC Lyte| date= January 13, 2015| access-date= September 2, 2016}}</ref> She was the first African American woman to serve in this role.<ref name=explains />
She is the founder of Hip Hop Sisters Foundation,<ref name="Grimm"/> which presented two $100,000 scholarships to college students each of the first two years of its inception and three $50,000 scholarships as a part of its #EducateOurMen initiative during its third year during the [[Soul Train Music Awards]] Red Carpet Preshow.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopsisters.org/news|title=Two MC Lyte $100,000 First Wave Scholarship Winners: 2nd Year in a Row|website=HipHopSisters.org|date=September 4, 2012}}</ref>
==Artistry==
===Influences, style and rapping technique===
MC Lyte has considered artists such as [[Salt-N-Pepa]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://globalgrind.com/1863528/mc-lyte-interviews-salt-salt-n-pepa-exclusive/ |title=Hip-Hop Legends Unite: MC Lyte Interviews Salt Of Salt-N-Pepa |website=Globalgrind.com. |date=July 17, 2012 |access-date=October 9, 2021}}</ref> [[Rakim]],<ref name="xxli">{{cite web|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/mc-lyte-wants-to-inspire-people-by-any-means-necessary/ |title=MC Lyte Wants To Inspire People By Any Means Necessary |website=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]] (website) |date=September 16, 2013 |access-date=October 10, 2021}}</ref> [[Roxanne Shanté]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/roxanne-shant%C3%A9-mn0000354140/related |title=Roxanne Shanté Related · Followed By |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=October 9, 2021}}</ref> [[Doug E. Fresh]],<ref>{{cite web| quote=MC Lyte to Doug E. Fresh: You are one of my biggest inspirations. Your poster was on my wall years before we met|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CSvGL6_pcXu/?hl=es-la |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CSvGL6_pcXu |archive-date=December 26, 2021 |url-access=registration|title=Instagram photo by therealdougefresh • 18 August 2021|author=|date=|work=instagram.com|accessdate=9 October 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> [[Kool Moe Dee]],<ref name="xxli" /> [[Sha-Rock]] from [[Funky 4 + 1]],<ref>{{cite web| quote=When you talk about MC Lyte, she'll say when I was 11-years-old coming up to Harlem i use to hear Sha Rock on cassette tapes, and she influence me to do what i do today,|url=https://wwmt.com/news/local/hip-hop-legend-wants-to-keep-the-history-of-the-culture-alive |title=Hip-Hop legend wants to keep the history of the culture alive |website=[[WWMT]]|date=February 9, 2020 |access-date=October 9, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CO_FIDgFQ-U/?hl=es |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CO_FIDgFQ-U |archive-date=December 26, 2021 |url-access=registration|title=Instagram photo by iammcsharock • 17 may 2021|author=|date=|work=instagram.com|accessdate=9 October 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and [[Run-DMC]]<ref name="xxli" /> as her inspirations early in her musical career. In an interview with ''[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]'' in 2013, Lyte talks about the influence in her early days of [[Melle Mel]] and [[Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five]] (specifically the song "[[The Message (Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five song)|The Message]]"). She also claimed to know "all the words" on [[Kurtis Blow]]'s records.<ref name="xxli" /> Throughout her career, has also paid tribute to other artists such as [[Spoonie Gee]] (who she covered on ''Act Like You Know''), [[Slick Rick]],<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/slick-rick-cypress-hill-de-la-soul-get-all-star-tributes-at-vh1s-hip-hop-honors-95894/ |title=Slick Rick, Cypress Hill, De La Soul Get All-Star Tributes at VH1's Hip Hop Honors |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] (website) |date=October 3, 2008 |access-date=October 10, 2021}}</ref> [[The Rock Steady Crew]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://imposemagazine.com/photos/rock-steady-crew-40th-anniversary-concert-with-mobb-deep-mc-lyte-mc-eiht-and-more-at-rumsey-playfield |title=Rock Steady Crew 40th Anniversary Concert With Mobb Deep, MC Lyte, MC eight, and More at Rumsey Playfield |website=[[Impose (magazine)|Impose]] |date= August 2017|access-date=October 10, 2021}}</ref> [[LL Cool J]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2017/12/28/watch-ll-cool-j-kennedy-center-tribute |title=Watch Busta Rhymes, Black Thought, MC Lyte, and more honor LL Cool J |website=[[The Fader]]|date=December 28, 2017 |access-date=October 10, 2021}}</ref> and [[Queen Latifah]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2021/06/2021-bet-awards-watch-queen-latifah-medley-ft-lil-kim.html |title=Lil' Kim, MC Lyte, and More Honor Queen Latifah With BET Lifetime Achievement Award |website=[[New York (magazine)|Vulture]] |date=June 27, 2021 |access-date=October 10, 2021}}</ref> In an interview with ''[[The Source]]'' in 2015, when asked about her motivation to record her latest album, ''[[Legend (MC Lyte album)|Legend]]'', Lyte said she was inspired by [[Kendrick Lamar]], [[Kanye West]] and [[Drake (musician)|Drake]], among other rappers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thesource.com/2015/06/25/mc-lyte-talks-legend-album-state-of-hip-hop-and-longevity/ |title=MC Lyte Talks 'Legend' Album, State of Hip Hop, and Longevity |website=[[The Source]]|date=June 25, 2015 |accessdate=October 1, 2021}}</ref>
Her style of rap has been described in the book ''Listen to Rap! Exploring a Musical Genre'' as "mid-tempo but aggressive (lots of plosives) and carefully articulated, with emphasis on end rhymes."<ref>{{cite book|last1=Fonseca|first1=Anthony J.|title=Listen to Rap! Exploring a Musical Genre|year=2019|publisher=[[ABC-CLIO]]|location=Santa Barbara, California|isbn=9781440865671|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o6KsDwAAQBAJ}}</ref> Her [[alto]] voice tone<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/05/03/mc-lyte-hip-hop-legacy/ |title=Hip-hop isn't just what MC Lyte does. It's who she is. |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=May 3, 2022 |accessdate=April 8, 2024}}</ref> is one of the generally most highlighted features in her music, being described as "husky",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.albumism.com/features/mc-lyte-lyte-as-a-rock-turns-30-anniversary-retrospective |website=Albumism |date=September 12, 2018 |accessdate=April 8, 2024 |title= MC Lyte's Debut Album 'Lyte as a Rock' Turns 30 - Anniversary Retrospective |quote=Lyte demonstrates tremendous verbal ability on Lyte as a Rock, using her husky voice and conversational flow}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/tellmemore/2010/08/31/129557337/lessons-from-a-female-emcee-wannabe |website=[[NPR]] |date=August 31, 2010 |accessdate=April 8, 2024 |title=My Rhymes: Tight, But Not Quite Lyte}}</ref> "raspy",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/life/fru-gal/2013/11/07/mc-lyte-wants-you-to-be-unstoppable-/3470347/ |website=[[The Indianapolis Star]] |date=November 13, 2013 |accessdate=April 8, 2024 |title=MC Lyte wants you to be 'Unstoppable' |quote=She was born Lana Moorer, but to fans she's MC Lyte, the New York-bred female rapper with a recognizably raspy voice.}}</ref> "raw",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thegumbo.net/blog/2020/9/14/mc-lyte-made-hip-hop-take-notice |website=thegumbo.net |date=September 14, 2020 |accessdate=April 8, 2024 |title=MC Lyte Made Hip-Hop Take Notice |quote=Nat Robinson, founder of First Priority: She was unique, had a raw, powerful voice that just dominated}}</ref> "throat-grabbing"<ref name="bv"/> and "authoritative".<ref name="ct">{{cite web|title= MC Lyte has words for a new generation|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2003-05-06-0305060030-story,amp.html|publisher=[[Chicago Tribune|Chicago Tribune (website)]]|date= May 6, 2003 |access-date=April 8, 2024}}</ref> Her voice is also considered by [[Public Enemy]]'s [[Chuck D]] as "one of the greatest voices of all time."<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hope |first1=Clover |title=The Motherlode: 100+ Women Who Made Hip-Hop |date=2021 |publisher=Abrams Image |page=44}}</ref> According to the ''[[Hutchins Center for African and African American Research#Affiliated institutes|Hip hop Archive and Research Institute]]'', "MC Lyte combined a deep, rich, strong voice with emotional vulnerability, insightful artistic and social analysis, and a playful sense of humor."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wers.org/leading-ladies-of-hip-hop-mc-lyte/ |website=[[WERS]] |date=March 24, 2023 |accessdate=April 9, 2024 |title=Leading Ladies of Hip Hop: MC Lyte}}</ref> Much of the lyrical content of MC Lyte's repertoire is based on [[Braggadocio (rap)|braggadocio]] rap, although she recorded a considerable number of songs that address [[social issues]], such as [[addictions]] ("[[I Cram to Understand U (Sam)]]",<ref name=TTJ2004>{{cite book|editor1-last=Forman|editor1-first=Murray|editor2-last=Neal|editor2-first=Marc Anthony|title=That's the Joint: The Hip Hop Studies Reader|date=2004|publisher=Routledge|location=New York|isbn=978-0415969192|edition=1}}</ref> "[[Poor Georgie]]",<ref name=TNYT>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/16/arts/the-pop-life-029091.html |title=The Pop Life |website=[[The New York Times]] (website) |date= October 16, 1991|accessdate=April 4, 2021}}</ref><ref name="ct"/> "[[Eyes Are the Soul]]",<ref name="Stare in the Darkness: The Limits of Hip-hop and Black Politics"/><ref name="ref">{{cite book|title=Icons of Hip Hop: An Encyclopedia of the Movement, Music, and Culture|author=Hess, M.|date=2007|volume=2|publisher=Greenwood Press|isbn=9780313339042|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bXy2wTEsbCsC|page=313|access-date=April 4, 2021}}</ref> "Lola from the Copa"),<ref name=hhia/><ref name=hha>{{cite web|url=http://hiphoparchive.org/artists/mc-lyte |title=MC Lyte |website=[[Hutchins Center for African and African American Research#Affiliated institutes|Hip hop Archive and Research Institute]] |date= March 27, 2015|accessdate=April 9, 2024}}</ref> [[misogyny]]/[[Sociology of gender#Gender and violence|gender issues]] ("[[Paper Thin (MC Lyte song)|Paper Thin]]",<ref name="rs">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.google.com/www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/best-of-88-mc-lytes-machismo-slaying-anthem-paper-thin-762801/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] (website) |date=December 10, 2018 |accessdate=October 9, 2020 |title= Best of '88: MC Lyte's Machismo-Slaying Anthem 'Paper Thin'}}</ref><ref name=TTJ2004/> [[I'm Not Havin' It]], "Please Understand",<ref name="encyclopedia"/> "Eyes Are the Soul",<ref name="Stare in the Darkness: The Limits of Hip-hop and Black Politics">{{cite book | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=FDGhFkpneDIC| access-date = 2021-03-02 | author = [[Lester Spence|Lester K. Spence]] | title = Stare in the Darkness: The Limits of Hip-hop and Black Politics | year = 2011 | publisher = U of Minnesota Press | isbn = 9780816669875 }}</ref> "Mickey Slipper",<ref name=hha/> "[[I Go On]]",<ref name="albumism">{{cite web|url=https://www.albumism.com/features/lest-we-forget-mc-lyte-aint-no-other |website=Albumism |date=January 3, 2019 |accessdate=June 16, 2021 |title= LEST WE FORGET: Revisiting MC Lyte's 'Ain't No Other' (1993)}}</ref> "[[Freedom (Theme from Panther)|Freedom]]"),<ref name=z/> [[HIV/AIDS]] ("Eyes Are the Soul",<ref name="Stare in the Darkness: The Limits of Hip-hop and Black Politics"/> "Lola from the Copa")<ref name=hha/> and [[crime]] ("[[Self Destruction (song)|Self Destruction]]",<ref name="Okayplayer"/> [[Cappucino (song)|Cappucino]]",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.albumism.com/features/mc-lyte-eyes-on-this-turns-30-anniversary-retrospective|title=MC Lyte's 'Eyes On This' Turns 30: Anniversary Retrospective
|date=October 2, 2019 |access-date=February 6, 2021 |website=Albumism}}</ref> "Not wit' a Dealer",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bet.com/hip-hop-awards/photos/nxm1br/25-best-mc-lyte-songs/90p1s7|title=25 Best MC Lyte Songs
|date= |access-date=April 13, 2024 |website=[[BET]]}}</ref> "Eyes Are the Soul",<ref name="Stare in the Darkness: The Limits of Hip-hop and Black Politics"/> "Druglord Superstar",<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Havelock|last= Nelson|title=R&B Acts Get Fresh Air Upstate|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xAcEAAAAMBAJ&dq=druglord+superstar+mc+lyte&pg=PA22|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=1996-07-27|page=22|accessdate=2022-11-22|author-link=Havelock Nelson}}</ref> "King of Rock").<ref name=hha/><ref name=hhia/> Other themes present in her songs are spirituality ("Search 4 the Lyte", "God Said Lyte", "Better Place")<ref name=hhia/> and sexuality ("Like a Virgin", "[[Ice Cream Dream]]", "[[Ruffneck (song)|Ruffneck]]", "[[Keep On Keepin' On (MC Lyte song)|Keep On Keepin' On]]").<ref name="tb">{{cite web|url=https://theboombox.com/5-times-mc-lyte-got-raw-real-and-raunchy-wit-it/|title='I Ain't Afraid of the Sweat': 5 Times MC Lyte Got Raw, Real and Raunchy Wit' It |website=[[Townsquare Media|The Boombox]] |date=May 22, 2017 |accessdate=April 13, 2024}}</ref>
==Legacy==
[[File:Smithsonian National Museum of American History - Crazy Legs Jacket (3051395095).jpg|thumb|MC Lyte's diary displayed in [[National Museum of American History]].]]
MC Lyte was considered by both the specialized press and fans as one of the best and most important Hip hop artists,<ref name="bv"/><ref name="nem">{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/entertainment/article/best-rappers-of-all-time/?sh=58d4451d1a27|title=The 50 Top Rappers Of All Time|website=[[Forbes]]|date=March 16, 2024}}</ref><ref name="la">{{cite web|url=https://www.liveabout.com/greatest-rappers-of-all-time-2858004|title=The 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time|website=[[Dotdash Meredith|LiveAbout]]|date=December 12, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/photos/greatest-rappers-ever-voted-for-by-you-1430325|title=Greatest Rappers Ever – Voted For By You|website=[[NME]]|date=August 8, 2013}}</ref> mainly among female artists.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/20-best-female-rappers/|title=The 20 Best Female Rappers Of All Time|website=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]|date=April 30, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/women-rappers-hip-hop-history/|title=Here Are 15 Women Rappers Who Made Hip-Hop History|website=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]|date=February 23, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.okayplayer.com/amp/influential-female-rappers-2664604650|title=The 11 Most Influential Female Rappers of All Time|website=[[Okayplayer]]|date=August 29, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/08/06/top-10-female-rappers-of-all-time-did-your-favorite-make-our-list/|title=Top 10 female rappers of all time: Did your favorite make our list?|website=[[The Mercury News]]|date=August 6, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://hiphopwired.com/playlist/hhws-top-30-greatest-female-rap-artists-of-all-time-ranked/item/4|title=HHW's Top 30 Greatest Female Rap Artists of All Time, Ranked|website=Hiphopwired.com|date=March 25, 2021}}</ref>
Greg Prato of [[AllMusic]], referred to her as 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=MC Lyte |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mc-lyte-mn0000220590/biography |access-date=June 4, 2020 |website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref> ''[[Birmingham Times|The Birmingham Times]]'' has credited her for helping transition hip-hop from the "feel-good, party vibe" of the late 1970s into a "socially conscious form of expression," as the rapper addressed issues like racism, sexism, and the drug culture had been affecting the African-American community.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.birminghamtimes.com/2019/11/meet-the-pioneering-queens-of-hip-hop/|title=Meet The Pioneering Queens of Hip-Hop|website=[[The Birmingham Times]]|date=November 27, 2019 }}</ref> ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'', ''[[The Washington Post]]'', and [[NPR]] have cited her as a "hip-hop pioneer".<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Adelle|last=Platon|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/black-history-month-rapsody-mc-lyte-interview-6859468/|title=Rapsody & MC Lyte Discuss Being a Woman of Color In Hip-Hop & Their First Encounters With Racism in America|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=February 1, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Bethonie|last=Butler|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2016/11/21/love-jones-fans-asked-for-a-sequel-they-got-a-musical/|title='Love Jones' fans asked for a sequel. They got a musical.|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=November 21, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4716600|title=Summer Tunes for Black Music Month, Part 3|website=[[NPR]]}}</ref>
MC Lyte has influenced the work of later female rappers such as [[Queen Latifah]],<ref>{{cite web|date=August 10, 2018|title=60 Hip-Hop 'Firsts': Rap's Must-Know Milestones|url=https://theboombox.com/hip-hop-firsts-milestones/|access-date=May 1, 2021|website=[[The Boombox]]}}</ref> [[Lil' Kim]],<ref>{{cite web|date=November 16, 2020|title=Lil Kim On Her Female Rap Influences -- MC Lyte, Salt-N-Pepa, Roxanne Shanté People's Party Clip|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vbzGHNvAYzQ|url-status=live|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/vbzGHNvAYzQ|archive-date=2021-12-11|access-date=June 4, 2020|website=video: [[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> [[Da Brat]],<ref>{{cite web|first=Christina|last=Smart|title=I Am Woman: A Celebration of Women in Hip Hop|url=https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/listings/items/i-am-woman-a-celebration-of-women-in-hip-hop/|website=[[Washington City Paper]]}}</ref> [[Missy Elliott]], [[Lauryn Hill]],<ref>{{cite web|first=Will|last=Schube|title=30 of the Best Female Rappers Ever|url=https://www.spin.com/photos/best-female-rappers-ever/|access-date=May 1, 2021|date=December 23, 2020|website=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]}}</ref> [[Monie Love]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2007/06/11/10948089/rapping-woman-to-woman|title=Rapping, Woman To Woman|website=[[NPR]]|date=June 11, 2007}}</ref> [[Eve (rapper)|Eve]],<ref>{{cite web|title=MC Lyte Honored at BET Hip-Hop Awards|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/mc-lyte-honored-at-bet-638655|access-date=September 28, 2013|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=September 28, 2013 }}</ref> [[Rapsody]],<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/a-long-conversation-with-rapsody-about-writing-raps-933144/|title=A Long Conversation With Rapsody About Writing Raps|magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> and [[Flo Milli]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/flo-milli/|title=Flo Milli - XXL Freshman Class |website=xxl|date=June 16, 2021 }}</ref> as well as rock artist [[Jack White]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Manning|first1=Sean|title=Meet Daru Jones, Jack White's Secret Weapon|url=http://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/a31999/jack-white-drummer-daru-jones/|work=Esquire|date=February 2, 2015 |accessdate=2015-11-28}}</ref> Also [[Dotdash|About.com]] ranked her {{Abbr|No.|number}}&nbsp;26 on their list of the 50 Greatest MCs of Our Time (1987–2007)<ref name="la"/> and {{Abbr|No.|number}}&nbsp;6 in the Greatest Rappers Ever survey organized by [[NME]].<ref name="nem"/> Furthermore, [[Vibe (magazine)|''Vibe'' magazine]] has referred to MC Lyte as the "[[Honorific nicknames in popular music|Queen of Rap]]".<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Gonzales |first=Michael |date=October 10, 2001 |title=Vibe Hip Hop Divas |magazine=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]] |location=New York City |pages=41–50 |isbn=978-0609808368}}</ref>
==Personal life==
In 2016, producer and rapper [[Q-Tip (musician)|Q-Tip]] revealed on his [[Apple Music 1]] show ''Abstract Radio'' that he used to date Lyte in his days before landing a record deal with [[A Tribe Called Quest]]. In the early 1990s, Lyte was in a relationship with Todd "Todd 1" Brown (1970–2019), then the producer of ''[[Yo! MTV Raps]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/www.hotnewhiphop.com/hip-hop-mtv-legend-and-producer-todd-1-dies-suddenly-mc-lyte-and-queen-yonasda-mourn-news.86141.html%3f |title=Hip Hop MTV Legend & Producer, Todd-1 Dies Suddenly, MC Lyte And Queen Yonasda Mourn|website=HotNewHipHop|date=July 19, 2019 |access-date=August 8, 2021}}</ref> and at that time she would also make public in an interview that they were engaged. Brown later said that the latter was part of a joke started by one of the hosts of the show Tyrone "T Money" Kelsie "he came up with the marriage idea and then mayhem ensued. After the initial show, the story got so big that an interviewer actually asked Lyte about her "marriage"... and instead of her shooting down the rumor, she went along with it."{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}  Later it was speculated in the media that for a few years she had a relationship with actress [[Tichina Arnold]]. Later these rumors were denied by Arnold.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.essence.com/news/tichina-arnold-branching-out/ |title=Tichina Arnold: Branching Out|magazine=[[Essence (magazine)|Essence]] |date=December 16, 2009 |access-date=August 8, 2021}}</ref> In May 2015 some media speculated that Lyte had dated R&B singer [[Janelle Monae]], but these rumors have not been confirmed by either of them.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/celebrities/janelle-monae-singer-allegedly-dating-veteran-femcee-mc-lyte/96ks1vj.amp |title=Singer allegedly dating veteran femcee MC Lyte|website=www.pulse.ng. |date=May 1, 2015 |access-date=August 8, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/heavy.com/entertainment/2019/02/janelle-monae-partner-girlfriend-dating-history/ |title=Janelle Monae Partner: Is the Singer Dating Anyone?|website=[[Heavy (website)|Heavy]]|date=Jul 19, 2019 |access-date=August 8, 2021}}</ref>
In early 2016, she started dating [[Marines|Marine Corps]] veteran and entrepreneur John Wyche, after meeting him on [[Match.com]]. They announced their engagement in May 2017. "What can I say, except thank you Lord!!!... It's been a long time, this single life, and I thank you all for your prayers and kind words of hope," she wrote in an [[Instagram]] post dated January 21, 2017. "God has sent me true love. For all of you waiting on LOVE- don't give up – keep God first and he will see that you meet your match." In August they exchanged their vows during a musical wedding in [[Montego Bay]], Jamaica. [[Reggae]] Congo bands played as Lyte walked down the aisle, and the couple's friend [[Kelly Price]] serenaded them during the ceremony. Afterward, an intimate gathering with only close friends and family members was held.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theknotnews.com/mc-lyte-marries-jamaica-wedding-22104|title=MC Lyte Marries Marine Corps Veteran in Jamaica Wedding|last=Chen|first=Joyce|date=August 14, 2017|website=The Knot News|language=en|access-date=March 14, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.essence.com/celebrity/mc-lyte-wedding-photos|title=MC Lyte Wedding Photos |website=Essence.com|date=October 24, 2020 }}</ref>
In August 2020 she filed for a divorce after three years of marriage.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Sarah|last=Michaud|url=https://people.com/music/mc-lyte-divorce-john-wyche|title=Rapper MC Lyte Files for Divorce from John Wyche After 3 Years of Marriage|magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]]|date=August 17, 2020}}</ref>
She is an honorary member of [[Sigma Gamma Rho]] sorority.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}
==Discography==
{{Main|MC Lyte discography}}
;Studio albums
* ''[[Lyte as a Rock]]'' (1988)
* ''[[Eyes on This]]'' (1989)
* ''[[Act Like You Know (MC Lyte album)|Act Like You Know]]'' (1991)
* ''[[Ain't No Other]]'' (1993)
* ''[[Bad as I Wanna B]]'' (1996)
* ''[[Seven & Seven (MC Lyte album)|Seven & Seven]]'' (1998)
* ''[[Da Undaground Heat, Vol. 1]]'' (2003)
* ''[[Legend (MC Lyte album)|Legend]]'' (2015)
* ''[[1 of 1 (MC Lyte album)|1 of 1]]'' (2024)
;Collaboration albums
* ''[[Almost September]]'' with Almost September (2008)
==Filmography==
===Film===
{| class="wikitable"
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 1992
| ''Fly by Night''
| Akusa
|
|-
| 1997
| ''[[An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn]]''
| Sista Tu Lumumba
|
|-
| 1999
| ''A Luv Tale''
| Alia
|
|-
| 2000
| ''[[Train Ride]]''
| Katrina Daniels
|
|-
| 2002
| ''[[Civil Brand]]''
| Sgt. Cervantes
|
|-
| 2003
| ''[[Playas Ball]]''
| Laquinta
|
|-
| 2006
| ''Da Jammies''
| Syrin (voice)
| Video
|-
| 2013
| ''The Dempsey Sisters''
| Taylor Powell
|
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2017
| ''[[Patti Cake$]]''
| DJ French Tips
|
|-
| ''[[Girls Trip]]''
| MC Lyte
|
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2019
| ''Loved to Death''
| Tiffany
|
|-
| ''Praying & Believing''
| Head Correction Officer
| Short
|-
|rowspan="3"| 2020
| ''[[Bad Hair (2020 film)|Bad Hair]]''
| Coral
|
|-
| ''[[Sylvie's Love]]''
| Mikki
|
|-
| ''Lost Girls: Angie's Story''
| Pastor Kim
|
|-
| 2021
| ''Hip Hop Family Christmas''
| Tina Nixon
| TV movie
|-
|rowspan="3"| 2022
| ''I, Challenger''
| Diane
|
|-
| ''Bury Me''
| Diane
|
|-
| ''Hip Hop Family Christmas Wedding''
| Tina Nixon
| TV movie
|-
| 2023
| ''Favorite Son''
| Sister Mae
| TV movie
|-
| 2024
| ''One Night Stay''
| Jasmine
| TV movie
|}
===Television===
{| class="wikitable"
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 1990–2003
| ''[[Showtime at the Apollo]]''
| Herself
| Recurring Guest
|-
| 1991
| ''[[MTV Unplugged]]''
| Herself
| Episode: "Yo! MTV Rap Unglugged"
|-
| 1992
| ''[[Sesame Street]]''
| Herself
| Episode: "Episode #23.41" & "#24.30"
|-
| 1992–2003
| ''[[Soul Train]]''
| Herself
| Recurring Guest
|-
| 1995
| ''[[New York Undercover]]''
| Female Rapper
| Episode: "You Get No Respect"
|-
|rowspan="2"| 1996
| ''[[Moesha]]''
| Herself
| Episode: "A Concerted Effort: Part 2"
|-
| ''[[New York Undercover]]''
| Herself
| Episode: "Kill the Noise"
|-
| 1997
| ''[[All That]]''
| Herself
| Episode: "MC Lyte"
|-
|rowspan="2"| 1998
| [[In the House (TV series)|''In the House'']]
| Lu Lu
| Episode: "Working Overtime: Part 2"
|-
| ''[[Cousin Skeeter]]''
| Herself
| Episode: "A Family Thing"
|-
| 1998–2002
| [[For Your Love (TV series)|''For Your Love'']]
| Lana
| Recurring Cast: Season 2–3, Guest: Season 5
|-
| 1999
| [[Get Real (American TV series)|''Get Real'']]
| Beth Hunter
| Episode: "Denial"
|-
| 2002
| ''[[The District]]''
| Karla
| Episode: "Russian Winter"
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2003
| [[Platinum (TV series)|''Platinum'']]
| Camille FaReal
| Episode: "Loyalty"
|-
| ''[[Strong Medicine]]''
| Nikki
| Episode: "Prescriptions"
|-
|rowspan="4"| 2004
| ''[[Star Search]]''
| Herself/Judge
| Main Judge
|-
| ''[[Def Poetry Jam]]''
| Herself
| Episode: "Episode #1.4"
|-
| ''[[And You Don't Stop: 30 Years of Hip-Hop]]''
| Herself
| Episode: "Back in the Day"
|-
| ''[[My Wife & Kids]]''
| Herself
| Episode: "The Return of Bobby Shaw"
|-
| 2004–2006
| ''[[Half & Half]]''
| Kai Owens
| Recurring Cast: Season 2–4
|-
|rowspan="3"| 2005
| ''Black in the 80s''
| Herself
| Recurring Guest
|-
| ''Love Lounge''
| Herself
| Recurring Guest
|-
| ''[[Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List]]''
| Herself
| Episode: "Adjusted Gross"
|-
| 2011
| ''[[Regular Show]]''
| Demel-ishun (voice)
| Episode: "Rap It Up"
|-
| 2011–2017
| ''[[Unsung (TV series)|Unsung]]''
| Herself
| Recurring Guest
|-
| 2015
| ''[[Sisterhood of Hip Hop]]''
| Herself
| Episode: "U-n-i-t-y"
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2017
| [[Tales (TV series)|''Tales'']]
| Makena Daniels
| Episode: "Cold Hearted"
|-
| ''The Comedy Underground Series''
| Herself/DJ
| Main Guest
|-
| 2017–18
| [[Queen of the South (TV series)|''Queen of the South'']]
| The Professor
| Recurring Cast: Season 2, Guest: Season 3
|-
|rowspan="4"| 2018
| ''[[Wild 'n Out]]''
| Herself
| Episode: "International Women's Day Special"
|-
| ''[[Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta]]''
| Herself
| Episode: "Too Lit to Quit" & "In My Feelings"
|-
| [[S.W.A.T. (2017 TV series)|''S.W.A.T.'']]
| {{nowrap|DEA Special Agent Katrina 'KC' Walsh}}
| Episode: "K-Town" & "Vendetta"
|-
| [[Power (TV series)|''Power'']]
| Jelani Otombre
| Episode: "When This Is Over"
|-
| 2018–19
| ''[[Hip-Hop Evolution]]''
| Herself
| {{nowrap|Episode: "Do The Knowledge" & "Life After Death"}}
|-
|rowspan="3"| 2019
| ''[[Hip Hop Squares]]''
| Herself/DJ
| Main DJ: Season 6
|-
| ''Untold Stories of Hip Hop''
| Herself
| Episode: "Queen Latifah & Maino"
|-
| ''[[Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America]]''
| Herself
| Episode: "Ladies First: 1989"
|-
| 2021
| ''Partners In Rhyme''
| Lana Crawford
| Main Cast
|-
| 2022
| ''Kid's Crew''
| School Teacher (voice)
| Recurring Cast
|-
| 2023
| {{nowrap|''[[Fight the Power: How Hip-Hop Changed the World]]''}}
| Herself
| Episode: "Still Fighting"
|}
==Awards and nominations==
===Grammy Awards===
{{awards table}}
|-
|| {{grammy|1994}} || "[[Ruffneck (song)|Ruffneck]]" || [[Best Rap Solo Performance]]<ref name=Grammy>{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/mc-lyte|title=MC Lyte|website=Grammy.com}}</ref> || {{nom}}
|-
|{{grammy|2004}} || "[[Ride Wit Me (MC Lyte song)|Ride Wit Me]]" || [[Grammy Award for Best Female Rap Solo Performance|Best Female Rap Vocal Performance]] || {{Nom}}
|-
{{end}}
===Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards===
{{awards table}}
|-
|| 1995 || "[[You Want This]]" with [[Janet Jackson]] || Music Video of the Year || {{nom}}
|-
|1996 || "[[Keep On Keepin' On (MC Lyte song)|Keep On Keepin' On]]" with [[Xscape (band)|Xscape]] || Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video ||  {{Won}}
|-
{{end}}
===MTV Video Music Award===
{{awards table}}
|-
|| [[1995 MTV Video Music Awards|1995]] || "[[I Wanna Be Down]]" featuring [[Brandy Norwood|Brandy]], [[Yo-Yo (rapper)|Yo-Yo]], and [[Queen Latifah]] || [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video|Best Rap Video]] ||  {{Nominated}}
|-
{{end}}
===Billboard Music Awards===
{{awards table}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1997 || Herself || [[Billboard Music Award for Top Rap Artist|Top Rap Artist]] ||  {{Nominated}}
|-
| "[[Cold Rock a Party]]" || [[Billboard Music Award for Top Rap Song|Top Rap Song]] ||  {{Nominated}}
|-
{{end}}
===BET Awards===
{{awards table}}
|-
| [[BET Awards 2004|2004]] || Herself || [[BET Award for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist|Best Female Hip-Hop Artist]] ||  {{Nominated}}
|}
===Other accolades===
* 2006 {{ndash}} [[Hip Hop Honors|VH1 Hip Hop Honors]] – '''Honoree'''<ref name="HHH" />
* 2013 {{ndash}} Hip Hop Inaugural Ball {{ndash}} Honored with the Lifetime Achievement<ref name="ib" />
* 2013 {{ndash}} [[BET Hip Hop Awards]] {{ndash}}  Honored with the Icon Lifetime Achievement '''I Am Hip Hop Award''' for her contributions to hip-hop culture<ref name="BETHH" />
* 2016 {{ndash}} [[Harvard University]] {{ndash}} Hutchins Center for African and African American Research's [[W. E. B. Du Bois Medal]]<ref name="hu" />
* 2019 {{ndash}} Trumpet Awards {{ndash}} Trail Blazer Award<ref name="ta" />
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
{{commons category|MC Lyte}}
*{{Official website|http://www.mclytenow.com/}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20091202100838/http://popolitickin.mypodcast.com/2009/09/Ep_58_MC_Lyte_As_a_Rock-238944.html MC Lyte Interview, 2009]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TDnwhZk6kY MC Lyte Documentary]
*[https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/the-female-rappers-who-shaped-hip-hop/ Let's Talk About The Female MCs Who Shaped Hip-Hop]
*[https://www.billboard.com/music/mc-lyte MC Lyte Billboard]
*[https://open.spotify.com/artist/2ZbWlThDW0qSbI3hinpl0w MC Lyte on Spotify]
*[http://blog.a3cfestival.com/list/mc-lyte-the-blueprint-to-todays-female-mc MC Lyte: The Blueprint For Today's Female MC]
*[https://stepbystepbasics.com/anthology-of-hip-hop-rap-music/ Smithsonian Anthology of Hip-Hop & Rap Music (2021).] Curation of the Anthology was headed by a committee including MC Lyte. Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and Smithsonian Folkways.
{{MC Lyte|state=autocollapse}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lyte, MC}}
[[Category:1970 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:21st-century American women rappers]]
[[Category:African-American women rappers]]
[[Category:Rappers from Brooklyn]]
[[Category:Rappers from Queens, New York]]
[[Category:East Coast hip hop musicians]]
[[Category:East West Records artists]]
[[Category:Omnivore Recordings artists]]
[[Category:21st-century American rappers]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American women singers]]
[[Category:21st-century American women singers]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American women]]