In the pantheon of hip-hop, where machismo often reigns supreme, MC Lyte carved out a singular niche, embodying a potent blend of lyrical prowess and unabashed femininity. MC Lyte’s ascent began in the late 1980s, a time when female rappers were rare and often relegated to the margins. Her debut album, Lyte as a Rock, released in 1988, was a clarion call, heralding the arrival of a formidable voice in a male-dominated industry.
The Brooklyn native’s lyrical dexterity was evident from the outset. She wielded words with the precision of a master craftsman, constructing narratives that were both deeply personal and universally resonant. Tracks like ‘Paper Thin’ and ‘10% Dis’ showcased her ability to dissect relationships and rivalries with a keen, almost surgical precision.
What set MC Lyte apart was not just her technical skill, but her unwavering commitment to authenticity. In an era where hypersexualised personas were often the norm for female artists, Lyte remained resolutely herself — girl from the streets, unafraid to fight back with her fists. She navigated the treacherous waters of the music industry with a fierce independence, refusing to conform to the expectations placed upon her by virtue of her gender.
It is a defiant career that had very few blueprints for success. Lyte’s influence on the world of hip-hop extends far beyond New York, but the performer’s inspiration can be heard throughout the crop of artists who emerged from the Big Apple in the 1990s and beyond. One such performer is Lyte’s favourite MC of all time: Nas.
The competitive nature of hip-hop means artists are regularly asked for their top MCs, and Lyte didn’t disappoint when she was posed the same question. “My favourite male rapper of all time? Did you hear that question? Favourite male rapper of all time?” While the confusion may seem strange, the interview arose shortly after lyte was named the greatest female rapper of all time, suggesting that gendering the question was necessary.
Lyte’s answer was inspired by he recent dealings with hip-hop: “I just heard a new song on the radio, by Nas. He’s talking to little kids,” she explains of the classic track ‘I Know I Can’. The song is rightly seen as one of the more positive messages from the NYC rapper, and Lyte labels it “lovely”.
She highlights that Nas, who in 2003 was one of the biggest rappers on the planet, can take time away form the usual elements of hip-hop to provide an uplifting message. Lyte was sutiably impressed by the ability to do all that “and still keep it funky. So Imma have to say Nas.”
