MC Lyte facts for kids

Quick facts for kids MC Lyte
MC Lyte in October 2019
Born	Lana Michele Moorer (1970-10-11) October 11, 1970 (age 54) New York City, U.S.
Other names	Lytro
Education	Hunter College (no degree)
Occupation	Rapper
Years active	1984–present
Organization	Hip Hop Sisters Foundation
Works	Albums singles videography
Title	Founder of Sunni Gyrl Inc.
Spouse(s)	John Wyche ​ ​ (m. 2017; div. 2023)​
Relatives	Charles Hamilton (cousin)
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Origin	Brooklyn, New York City, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop
Labels	First Priority Atlantic East West America Elektra iMUSIC BMG DuBose Music Group Sunni Gyrl, Inc. Omnivore

Lana Michele Moorer (born October 11, 1970), known as MC Lyte, is an American rapper. She is seen as a pioneer for female rappers. MC Lyte became famous in the late 1980s. She was the first female rapper to release a full solo album. This album, Lyte as a Rock, came out in 1988. It featured popular songs like "10% Dis" and "Paper Thin".

In 1989, she joined the group Stop the Violence Movement. They released the song "Self Destruction". This song was the first to reach number one on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles chart. That same year, her second album, Eyes on This, was released. It was one of the first albums by a female solo rapper to appear on the Billboard 200 chart. The album included the hit "Cha Cha Cha".

In 1991, MC Lyte released "Poor Georgie". This song was her first to appear on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Her 1993 song "Ruffneck" made history. It was the first song by a solo female rapper to be certified gold. This means it sold over 500,000 copies.

MC Lyte has worked with many famous artists. These include Janet Jackson, Queen Latifah, Brandy, Missy Elliott, Will Smith, and Beyoncé. She has inspired many women in hip hop. Billboard and Vibe magazines named her one of the 50 greatest rappers in 2023. She has received the "I Am Hip Hop" Icon Lifetime Achievement award from the BET Hip Hop Awards. She was also honored at the VH1 Hip Hop Honors.

In 2014, MC Lyte made history again. She became the first female artist to perform hip hop at the White House. In 2016, she received the W. E. B. Du Bois Medal. This is Harvard University's highest honor in African and African-American studies. Besides rapping, she works as a voiceover artist, writer, and DJ. She has also acted in movies and TV shows. MC Lyte also helps with charities, including her own, Hip Hop Sisters.

Early Life and Musical Start

Lana Michele Moorer grew up in Brooklyn, New York City. She started rapping when she was 12 years old. Her first stage name was Sparkle. She began recording her first song at age 14. It took two years for the song to be released.

MC Lyte grew up with the hip hop duo Audio Two, Milk Dee and DJ Giz. Audio Two's father, Nat Robinson, started a music label called First Priority. He made a deal with Atlantic. Part of the deal was that MC Lyte would also get a record contract with Atlantic.

Musical Journey: Albums and Hits

Early Success: Lyte as a Rock and Eyes on This (1987–1990)

In 1987, at 16, MC Lyte released her first song, "I Cram to Understand U (Sam)". She wrote this song when she was 12.

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, her first album, Lyte as a Rock, came out. Other songs released from the album included "Paper Thin" and "10% Dis". The album reached number 50 on the Billboard Top Black Albums chart. Even though it didn't sell huge numbers, it is seen as one of the most important rap albums ever. In 1988, The Village Voice magazine called Lyte "the best female vocalist in hip-hop." She also appeared in the remix for "I Want Your (Hands on Me)" by Irish singer Sinéad O'Connor.

In January 1989, Lyte joined the Stop the Violence Movement. This group included Boogie Down Productions, Public Enemy, and Heavy D. They released "Self Destruction" to speak out against violence. The song was number one on the first Billboard Hot Rap Singles chart. All the money from the song went to the National Urban League. In October 1989, Lyte released her second album, Eyes on This. This album was also praised by critics and is a hip hop classic. With this album, she became the first solo female rapper to have an album on the Billboard 200 chart. The album featured "Cha Cha Cha", which hit number one on the Hot Rap Singles chart.

In 1990, MC Lyte performed at the famous Carnegie Hall. Her DJ since the beginning of her career is her cousin, DJ K-Rock. They have toured together for many years.

Growing Fame: Act Like You Know and Ain't No Other (1991–1995)

In May 1991, Lyte performed on "Yo! Unplugged Rap." This was the first MTV Unplugged show to feature rap artists. She performed alongside groups like A Tribe Called Quest and LL Cool J. In September 1991, Lyte released her third album, Act Like You Know. This album had a softer, more R&B sound on some songs. The album included the hit "Poor Georgie". This song was her first to reach the Billboard Hot 100 and was her third number one on the Hot Rap Singles chart.

In 1992, MC Lyte worked with famous producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis on the song "Ice Cream Dream". This song was part of the Mo Money movie soundtrack. Her next album, Ain't No Other, came out in June 1993. This album had a harder hip hop sound. The song "Ruffneck" became her first top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. It also became her fourth number one on the Hot Rap Singles chart. "Ruffneck" was also certified gold. This means it sold over 500,000 copies.

In 1994, Lyte collaborated on remixes for "You Want This" by Janet Jackson and "I Wanna Be Down" by Brandy. She toured with Janet Jackson on the Janet World Tour. In 1995, she was part of the rap remix for "Freedom" from the movie Panther.

Continued Success: Bad as I Wanna B and Seven & Seven (1996–1998)

In March 1996, MC Lyte released "Keep On Keepin' On". This song featured the R&B group Xscape. It reached number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. This was her highest position on that chart as a main artist. The song also earned a gold certification. In August 1996, her fifth album, Bad as I Wanna B, was released. In November, a remix of "Cold Rock a Party" was released. It featured Missy Elliott. This song reached number 11 on the Hot 100. It became her fifth number one song on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles chart and was certified gold.

MC Lyte in Hamburg, Germany in 1998

In August 1998, MC Lyte released her sixth album, Seven & Seven.

Independent Releases and Collaborations (1999–Present)

After 1998, MC Lyte continued to release music independently and collaborate with many artists. In November 1999, she worked on a remix of Bob Marley's "Jammin". She also collaborated with Will Smith on his album Willennium.

In 2003, Lyte released Da Undaground Heat, Vol. 1. The song "Ride Wit Me" from this album was nominated for a Grammy Award. In August 2003, she collaborated with Beyoncé, Missy Elliott, and Free on "Fighting Temptation". This song was part of the soundtrack for the movie The Fighting Temptations.

In 2006, Lyte was honored at the VH1 Hip Hop Honors. She was the first female solo rapper to receive this award.

Lyte at the October 14, 2007 BET Hip Hop Awards

In 2008, MC Lyte released The Almost September EP with her group Almost September. This album had an R&B and Soul sound. In 2011, she released the song "Dada da Da". In 2012, she launched her own MC Lyte App for exclusive music.

In January 2013, MC Lyte received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Hip Hop Inaugural Ball. In October, she was honored with the Icon Lifetime Achievement "I Am Hip Hop" Award at the BET Hip Hop Awards. This was for her important contributions to hip hop culture.

In September 2014, "Dear John" was released. It featured Common. That same month, she reunited with Queen Latifah, Brandy, and Yo-Yo to perform "I Wanna Be Down." In October 2014, MC Lyte performed at the White House. She was the first female artist to perform hip hop there.

In April 2015, MC Lyte released Legend. This was her eighth solo album and her first full album in 12 years. In September 2016, she received the W. E. B. Du Bois Medal from Harvard University. In 2017, she released the song "Money on My Mind."

In 2019, she received The Trail Blazer Award at the Trumpet Awards. In 2024, Lyte worked on the music for the film The Memo.

Other Projects and Activities

Acting Career

MC Lyte started acting in 1991 in an off-Broadway play called Club Twelve. She made her film debut in the 1993 movie Fly by Night. She has also appeared in films like Train Ride (2000) and Civil Brand (2002). In 2011, she was a guest voice on the Regular Show episode "Rap It Up."

In 2017, Lyte played Detective Makena Daniels in the drama series Tales. She also played DEA Special Agent Katrina 'K.C.' Walsh in S.W.A.T.. She has appeared as herself on TV shows like Moesha and My Wife and Kids. In 2020, Lyte starred in the films Bad Hair and Sylvie's Love. In 2021 and 2022, she starred as Tina Nixon in the TV movies Hip Hop Family Christmas and Hip Hop Family Christmas Wedding.

Business and Voiceover Work

MC Lyte opened a boutique called Shaitel in Los Angeles. It sold accessories, including unique pieces made just for the store. In 1997, she started Sunni Gyrl Inc. This is an entertainment company that helps manage artists and produce music.

Since 1996, MC Lyte has done voiceover work. She has voiced commercials for brands like Tide and AT&T. She also voiced the character Tia for the Mattel toy line Diva Starz from 2000 to 2002.

DJing and Speaking

MC Lyte has been a DJ for many special events. She was the DJ for Michael Jordan's 50th Birthday Celebration and his wedding reception. She has also provided music for the Image Awards and Google.

MC Lyte is also a speaker. She gives talks at colleges and organizations around the world. She shares messages of empowerment from her book Unstoppable: Igniting the Power Within to Achieve Your Greatest Potential. She has worked with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to inspire young leaders in South Africa.

Leadership and Charity

In 2006, MC Lyte's diary and other hip hop items were given to the Smithsonian Institution. This collection helps show the history of hip hop.

From 2011 to 2013, MC Lyte was the President of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Recording Academy. This is the organization that gives out the Grammy Awards. She was the first African American woman to hold this position.

She founded the Hip Hop Sisters Foundation. This foundation has given out large scholarships to college students.

Artistic Style and Impact

Influences and Rapping Technique

MC Lyte has been inspired by many early hip hop artists. These include Salt-N-Pepa, Rakim, Roxanne Shanté, and Run-DMC. She has also mentioned Melle Mel and Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five as influences. She knew all the words to Kurtis Blow's songs. Later in her career, she was inspired by artists like Kendrick Lamar and Kanye West.

Her rapping style is often described as strong and clear. She focuses on the rhymes at the end of her lines.

Legacy and Influence

MC Lyte is known for helping hip hop change. She helped it move from just party music to a way to express social ideas. Billboard and NPR have called her a "hip-hop pioneer."

She has influenced many female rappers who came after her. These include Queen Latifah, Lil' Kim, Missy Elliott, and Lauryn Hill. She has been ranked highly on lists of the greatest MCs and rappers of all time. Vibe magazine has even called MC Lyte the "Queen of Rap."

Personal Life

MC Lyte married Marine Corps veteran John Wyche in August 2017. They later divorced in August 2020.

She is an honorary member of the Sigma Gamma Rho sorority.

Discography

Studio albums

• Lyte as a Rock (1988)
• Eyes on This (1989)
• Act Like You Know (1991)
• Ain't No Other (1993)
• Bad as I Wanna B (1996)
• Seven & Seven (1998)
• Da Undaground Heat, Vol. 1 (2003)
• Legend (2015)
• 1 of 1 (2024)

Collaboration albums

• Almost September with Almost September (2008)

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and Nominations

Grammy Awards

Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards

MTV Video Music Award

Billboard Music Awards

BET Awards

Other Honors

• 2006 – VH1 Hip Hop Honors – Honoree
• 2013 – Hip Hop Inaugural Ball – Honored with the Lifetime Achievement
• 2013 – BET Hip Hop Awards – Honored with the Icon Lifetime Achievement I Am Hip Hop Award for her contributions to hip-hop culture
• 2016 – Harvard University – Hutchins Center for African and African American Research's W. E. B. Du Bois Medal
• 2019 – Trumpet Awards – Trail Blazer Award

See also

In Spanish: MC Lyte para niños