The hip hop pioneer talks mentorship, bad auditions, and counting tips
Photo-Illustration: by The Cut; Photo: Sunni Gyrl Inc. For more than three decades, MC Lyte has been a beacon of light, hope, and guidance for Black girls and women across the globe. Through songs that tackle carnal sensuality and the difficulties of human weakness in equal measure, she has built an envious career that’s spanned generations.
Her debut single, 1987’s “I Cram to Understand U ,” was a contemplative boom-bap record that dealt directly with the consequences of a partner’s drug use. She wrote the song, which brimmed with serious content while balancing a witty, charismatic execution, at the age of 12. After performing it at 16, it only kick-started her career.
“I feel a responsibility to the younger generation that are coming in,” MC Lyte tells the Cut. “Specifically, those who want to be looked after.” She lists Tierra Whack, Rapsody, Lady London, Chika, Cam & China, and newcomer Audley as women who seek her advice and direction. As a CEO, artist, entrepreneur, voice actor, and now co-creator and executive producer of the new AMC/ALLBLK television show Partners in Rhyme, MC Lyte has chiseled her name into the tablet of hip-hop icons.Salt-N-Pepa.
I think a lot of people would agree that you are the voice of the culture, in many regards. How do you feel about that title or that recognition? It feels great. I’m not sure what that all involves. There’s two ways to look at that: It’s the voice that you hear when I’m working and saying words that have been written for me to actually present to the world. And then, there’s a voice that is internal. That is what it is that I bring about — my thoughts. And so, to be respected for either, I’m very appreciative. The voice is mine. I was born with it. I can’t really take a whole lot of credit for it.
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