LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 01: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Mc Lyte participatesin the 2024 Recording … [+] Academy Honors provided by The Black Music Collective at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 01, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
MC Lyte, the groundbreaking hip-hop luminary, has formally returned from her musical hiatus.
On Friday, Lyte launched her 9th studio album, 1 of 1. Executive produced by Grammy Award-winner Warryn Campbell, the task functions an excellent lineup of cultural icons, consistingof Stevie Wonder, Queen Latifah, Cheryl “Salt” James, Mary Mary, Big Daddy Kane, Q-Tip, Ghostface Killah, Common, Raheem DeVaughn, and more.
Lyte has signedupwith the league of hip-hop legends making returns to their signature positions in2024 This year hasactually seen an variety of brand-new releases from artists like LL Cool J, Rakim, Ghostface Killah, Common, and Pete Rock. Based on observation, MC Lyte appears to be one of the coupleof, if not the just, woman MC from her age to release a totally established job in 2024.
In our unique interview last month, while takingpleasurein breakfast at Junior’s on 42nd Street, the “Woman” MC shared how hip-hop’s 50th anniversary last year validated the strong need and area for hip-hop legends, or rather, old-school artists, in today’s music scene.
“The individuals were there,” stated Lyte. “It was like we truly got an understanding of the lotsof generations that haveactually been affected by what we’ve done for years, and it’s like, ‘Oh, they desire to see us!’ So, insomeway I believe we may have lost sight of it—LL neverever did, which is why he put all his time, energy, and invested himself into Rock The Bells Radio—because there’s an audience there.”
“I think that everybody individually idea it was time, and maybe last year was a testimony to that,” Lyte continued. “With it being the 50th year of hip-hop and the introduction of LL Cool J’s reimagined backspin into Rock The Bells Radio, we all did rather a bit of visiting last year. We did the Rock The Bells festival, the Rock The Bells cruise, and anumberof dates on The Force Tour.”
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK—MAY 24: Rapper MC Lyte (aka Lana Moorer) appears in a picture taken on May 24, … [+] 1989 at Rhino’s Den Studio in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images/Michael Ochs Archives)
Lyte exposed the upcoming album throughout an look on the Rock the Bells radio program That’s The Joint with hip-hop leaders MC Sha Rock and Grandmaster Caz. 1 of 1 marks her veryfirst solo album in 9 years, following the release of Legend in 2015.
It’s fitting to state this album is a prime example of what grown lady rap sounds like. There’s no braggadocio about the self-proclaimed satisfying mechanics a woman thinks as an using, or product gains like cash and designer style. In specific, on the track “Woman,” R&B vocalist Raheem DeVaughn provides the hook, while Cheryl “Salt” James (Salt-N-Pepa) and Big Daddy Kane contribute verses in a effective ode to Black females, commemorating their regal existence and indisputable strength.
“I ain’t neverever desired absolutelynothing however some regard/And see the love from his eyes be showed/Never looking for a handout or a inspect/Just a modest spirit looking for a genuine connection,” Lyte raps, crystalizing the meaning of grown female rap.
Fans of hip-hop’s golden period are in for a reward as Salt from Salt-N-Pepa showcases the advancement of her rap abilities—a efficiency exhibiting class and finesse, trademarks of the famous artist’s signature design.
“Salt, of course, I utilized to state all of her lyrics when I was practicing before I even endedupbeing MC Lyte,” stated MC Lyte. “And she’s a pal; we participatein the exactsame church. She simply moved to Cali. It’s simple. It’s like, hi, we’re working in the studio, requirement you to come by. She comes by, she hears ‘Woman’ — at that point, Kane and Raheem were currently on it — and she goes, ‘Oh, I desire to be on this one.’ So we really reduced my verse, reduced Kane’s verse, and put her right there.”
Stevie Wonder makes an amazing look on “Change Your Ways” alongwith Common, offering a emotional hook while Common’s signature lyricism shines with lines like “Keeper for my bros, reaching for my sis.”
Moreover, Q-Tip beautifies the album, enhancing the fondmemories by offering MC Lyte a taste of the signature A Tribe Called Quest noise on the track “Kick Back Relax.”
“For ‘Kick Back Relax,’ it sounds like a traditional Tribe tune, and since of that, I felt like, wow, Q-Tip would noise right at home on this. And, you understand, not to discuss, I can reach out—hey, I requirement this—and actually, he sentout it the next day,” Lyte remembered.
Mary Mary and Muni Long group up on “Thank You,” a track that highlights Lyte’s skilled viewpoint, providing a stirring anthem about thriving over hardship and the power of appreciation in hard times. The gospel-infused vocals enhance the track’s boosting spirit, showcasing Lyte’s development as both an host and a thoughtful writer. The music video draws clear motivation from Lyte’s renowned 1991 single “Poor Georgie,” with the Brooklyn native located in the New York City MTA train, embodying hip-hop’s rap aspect.
The album likewise taps into Lyte’s Brooklyn roots, especially on the DJ Scratch-produced track about the hasahardtime of chasing dreams, providing a gritty, raw energy that completely matches Lyte’s renowned circulation. For