MC LYTE THE LEGEND

 

 

By:  Dr. Tameka "Doc" Wright

 

It is great to interview you. How are you doing today? 

 

First of all, thank you for this platform and I feel wonderful.

 

You have been doing a lot of different things so let’s get into the interview.

I have followed your career since you stepped onto the scene in 1988 with your album “Lyte As a Rock”.  You just celebrated the 27 year anniversary of this album.  How does it feel to have been in Hip Hop for all of these years?

 

It's amazing to see hip-hop grow in the way that it has. It's been an amazing journey and to see how hip-hop has taken over the globe is truly divine.  Seems like an eternity ago I walked into that studio with my composition book ready to rock a rhyme. I had no idea what I was in for but I was open for the mission. “Lyte as a Rock” seems to be a favorite for so many and to think I wrote those rhymes when I was 12 and recorded them at 17. 

 

 

You are the first female solo Hip Hop artist to release a full length album.  You have blazed the trail for female Hip Hop artists. What does that mean to you?

 

It probably means more to others then it does to me. I was just happy to have the opportunity to release a record. However, it does help in making a mark in hip-hop history.

 

Coming in the industry at a young age and as a female in a male dominated genre must have been challenging. What where some of the challenges you faced?

 

I came into the business unaware that there were even challenges. The older guys treated me like they're younger sister so I never felt there was any pushback for me being a female in hip-hop. 

 

 

I saw you in concert in the late ‘80’s when you came to Delaware State University in Delaware and I remember how excited I was to be in the front row of a standing room only concert. You said, I don’t usually dance, but with the crowd behind you, you danced while performing. That was a memorable moment, making a lasting impression on me as well as your other fans, family and friends. To what would you contribute your success and how have you withstood the test of time?

 

I'm glad you enjoyed the concert. Yeah that dancing thing, LOL. I attribute my success to dreaming big and allowing God to move me through this journey of life. Success does not come without dedication and hard work. Also having an amazing team makes all the difference. Having someone who sees your dream and gets it and wants to help you attain it is amazing.  Giving up is never an option, so therefore you must continue to move forward and that's what I did. Through the good and bad I remain steadfast and because of it I get to continue to do what I love. And it really feels as though I am not working at all. Now that's God!

 

 

The Stop the Violence Movement was started by KRS-One in response to the violence in African American communities. The song that you were a part of called “Self Destruction” was a very important song , because it showed a lot of the Hip Hop artists coming together to speak on a relevant  topic. What was it like to be a part of such an important cause? 

 

It was absolutely amazing! I was probably the youngest person on that record and I felt that way in the studio. I was like a little kid in a room full of artist that I had listen to for years. I had pictures of Heavy D, Kool Moe D and Doug E Fresh on my walls!!! And now I'm recording with all my favorites!

 

For More Purchase Magazine