MC Lyte facts for kids

Quick facts for kids MC Lyte
Lyte at the Essence Festival in July 2025.
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 by her stage name MC Lyte, is an American rapper. She is known as one of the first and most important female rappers. MC Lyte became famous in the late 1980s. She was the first female solo rapper to release a full album, called Lyte as a Rock in 1988. The album was a big hit with critics and included the popular songs "10% Dis" and "Paper Thin".

In 1989, she joined a group of famous rappers called the Stop the Violence Movement. They released the song "Self Destruction", which became the first number-one song on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles chart. Her second album, Eyes on This, was one of the first albums by a female rapper to appear on the Billboard 200 chart.

Her 1993 song "Ruffneck" was a huge success. It made her the first solo female rapper to have a song certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). This means it sold over 500,000 copies. She also worked with famous artists like Janet Jackson, Queen Latifah, and Brandy. Her 1996 song "Keep On, Keepin' On" was a top ten hit.

Throughout her career, MC Lyte has worked with many stars, including Will Smith, Mary J. Blige, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and will.i.am. Many female hip-hop artists say she was a major influence on them. In 2023, Billboard and Vibe magazines named her one of the 50 greatest rappers of all time. She has received a lifetime achievement award from the BET Hip Hop Awards and was the first female artist to perform hip-hop at the White House in 2014. Besides rapping, she is also a voiceover artist, DJ, and actress.

Early Life

Lana Michele Moorer was born in Queens, New York City. She grew up in the East Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn. She started rapping when she was only 12 years old. Her first stage name was Sparkle. She recorded her first song at 14, and it was released two years later.

She was very close with the hip-hop group Audio Two. She thought of them as her brothers. Their father, Nat Robinson, started a record label called First Priority. He made a deal with Atlantic that if they signed Audio Two, they also had to give MC Lyte a record contract.

Musical Career

A Pioneer in Hip-Hop (1987–1990)

In 1987, when she was 16, Lyte released her first single, "I Cram to Understand U (Sam)". The song was about serious problems in her community. She had written it when she was just 12 years old.

MC Lyte in 1988 at Firehouse Studios in Brooklyn with her producers and engineer.

In 1988, she released her first album, Lyte as a Rock. It included hit songs like "Paper Thin" and "10% Dis". The album is now seen as one of the most important rap albums in history. That same year, she was featured in a music video with the Irish singer Sinéad O'Connor.

In 1989, Lyte joined other famous rappers like Public Enemy and Heavy D to form the Stop the Violence Movement. They released the song "Self Destruction" to speak out against violence. The money from the song was given to charity. Later that year, she released her second album, Eyes on This. It was a big success and included the hit song "Cha Cha Cha", which went to number one on the rap charts.

New Sounds and Big Hits (1991–1995)

In 1991, Lyte released her third album, Act Like You Know. It had a softer sound, mixing rap with R&B music. The album featured the hit song "Poor Georgie", which was her first song to appear on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

MC Lyte in 1996.

Her next album, Ain't No Other, came out in 1993. It had a tougher, more "hardcore" hip-hop sound. The single "Ruffneck" became a huge hit. It was her first song to be certified gold, and it earned her a Grammy Award nomination.

In 1994, MC Lyte's career grew even bigger. She worked with superstar Janet Jackson on the song "You Want This". She also joined Queen Latifah and Yo-Yo on a popular remix of Brandy's song "I Wanna Be Down".

Mainstream Success (1996–1998)

In 1996, Lyte released the single "Keep On Keepin' On" with the R&B group Xscape. The song was a massive success, reaching the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also certified gold.

Her fifth album, Bad as I Wanna B, was released later that year. It featured the hit song "Cold Rock a Party", which she made with another rising star, Missy Elliott. The song became a number-one rap hit and was popular in many countries around the world.

In 1998, she released her sixth album, Seven & Seven. Even though it featured famous producers and artists like The Neptunes and LL Cool J, it was not as successful as her previous albums.

MC Lyte in Hamburg, Germany, in 1998.

Independent Music and Collaborations (1999–2012)

After leaving her record label, MC Lyte continued to make music. She worked with many famous artists. In 1999, she was on a remix of Bob Marley's song "Jammin" and also worked with Will Smith.

In 2003, she released an independent album called Da Undaground Heat, Vol. 1. A song from that album, "Ride Wit Me", earned her another Grammy nomination. She also worked with the rock band Aerosmith and other rappers on a song for the ESPY Awards. That same year, she was featured on the song "Fighting Temptation" with Beyoncé and Missy Elliott.

Over the next few years, she continued to release singles and work with artists like Moby, will.i.am, and India Arie. In 2006, she was honored at the VH1 Hip Hop Honors, becoming the first female solo rapper to receive this honor.

Lyte at the 2007 BET Hip Hop Awards.

Return with Legend (2013–present)

In 2013, MC Lyte received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the BET Hip Hop Awards. The next year, she performed for President Barack Obama at the White House, a historic moment for hip-hop.

In 2015, she released her eighth album, Legend. It was her first full album in 12 years. To make it special, it was only sold for 24 hours on vinyl records for Record Store Day.

In recent years, Lyte has continued to perform and inspire others. In 2017, she joined Queen Latifah, Lil' Kim, and other female rappers on stage at the Summer Jam festival to perform the song "U.N.I.T.Y.", a famous song about female empowerment.

Other Work

Acting Career

MC Lyte is also a talented actress. She has appeared in many movies and TV shows. Her first role was in a play in 1991. She later starred in movies like Civil Brand (2002) and Playa's Ball (2003).

She has also been on popular TV shows like Moesha, My Wife and Kids, and Queen of the South. She even voiced a character in an episode of the cartoon Regular Show.

Voiceover and DJing

MC Lyte has a very recognizable voice, and she has used it for many voiceovers. She has worked for brands like Tide and AT&T. She was also the voice for a line of Mattel toys called Diva Starz.

She is also a popular DJ. She has DJed at parties for famous people like Michael Jordan and Jay Leno.

Charity Work

MC Lyte is dedicated to helping others. She started the Hip Hop Sisters Foundation, which gives scholarships to help students go to college. In 2006, her diary and other items from her early career were added to the Smithsonian Institution as part of a collection on the history of hip-hop.

Artistry and Legacy

Rapping Style

MC Lyte is known for her strong, deep voice and clear rapping style. She often raps with a confident and aggressive tone. Public Enemy's Chuck D once called her voice "one of the greatest voices of all time."

Her songs often talk about her skills as a rapper. But she also writes about important social issues. She has made songs about addiction, crime, and respecting women.

Lasting Impact

MC Lyte's diary on display at the National Museum of American History.

MC Lyte is widely seen as a pioneer for women in hip-hop. She was one of the first female rappers to talk about sexism in her music. She proved that women could be just as tough and talented as male rappers.

She has influenced many artists who came after her, including Queen Latifah, Lil' Kim, Missy Elliott, and Lauryn Hill. Many magazines and websites have ranked her as one of the greatest rappers ever.

Personal Life

In 2016, MC Lyte began dating John Wyche, an entrepreneur and veteran of the Marine Corps. They met online and got engaged in 2017. They were married in August 2017 in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

She is also an honorary member of the Sigma Gamma Rho sorority, a service organization.

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 accolades

• 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