The Fembassy

Wisdom, 20 Years Plus: An Interview with MC Lyte

By: Glennisha Morgan

It was definitely an honor to be able to talk to one of Hip Hop’s pioneers, especially one that has inspired many of the female MCs that The Fembassy posts about. When people talk about Hip Hop and it’s beginnings it’s inevitable to mention MC Lyte. When speaking with upcoming female MCs almost every single one mentions her name. It’s great that she has paved the way for some but, what’s even greater is that she’s still in the game. MC Lyte has graced Hip Hop with her talent for over 20 years and she’s currently working on a new album. In addition to hearing her on wax you can also hear her during award ceremonies and even on commercials. MC Lyte is a great example of longevity and brand building. She took some time out to talk about her new album, how it was for her when she first started rapping, staying out of the negative limelight, and the music industry’s climate change for female MCs.

You dropped your first album in 1988. So it’s been over 20 years now. Music has evolved tremendously. How do you continue to create fresh music while still remaining the same?

I just speak the truth. I just let the truth come right on through. I think as a result of that people will be able to feel it. It doesn’t matter what era of time it comes out in. It just resonates.

You’ve been in the game for so long is there ever a time when you think that you’ll want to retire?

No. I think whenever I get to that point I will and everyone will know it but, I’m having a good time.

You come from an era where people heard about artists via DJs and the radio. Today people can create their own buzz online. Also, through social networking websites artists are able to communicate with fans. How do you feel about that?

I feel like it’s wonderful. It’s an opportunity for everyone to get involved. It’s not just about money because now it levels the playing field. Anybody can put up a Myspace Page or a Facebook. It costs nothing to showcase your self. Back in the day you had to pay somebody that was out in California if you needed to be seen out in California. Now you can be seen globally.

Lots of print publications are shutting down. Today a lot of people get music news online from websites and blogs. A lot of times it’s gossip and rumors. Do you believe in the saying, “All press is good press”?

No. You can go to some sites that legitimately can give you a story from a non-bias opinion. Then there are some people who have blogs who are frustrated rappers or frustrated actors. They just never really got their chance to do what they want to do so they pick apart the character and lives of others. I think you take it with a grain of salt. It is what it is. I think people still like to have magazines in their hands. I know I do. I like to be able to flip through those pages, go back to it, and have it at my disposal.

I can honestly say that I’ve never heard 1 negative gossip report or rumor about you. How do you stay out of the negative limelight?

Well I don’t know that I do. I’m sure somebody has something to say somewhere about something. I don’t really think I concentrate on it. I just keep giving my music. I keep creating. I keep creating a way where there is no way. I have work on my mind. I don’t really purposely say, “Oh I gotta keep out of the headlines.”

I just really don’t do things that put me there. I don’t tote a gun in my car. I’m not going to get pulled over for a DUI because I don’t drink and drive. There are just certain things that I don’t really set myself up for. So I’m just all about the work. I like to be creative and make it happen.

For the majority of your career you were solo but, now you’re also a part of your group, Almost September. Was that a hard transition for you?

No it wasn’t really hard at all. I like collaborative efforts. These two guys are really talented people. They’re producers, one rhymes, and the other one sings. They both play. It just seems like a natural progression to want to do something as part of a group. That group exists. So whenever we feel like we want to do something together we will. Whenever we want to do all of our things separately we can do that as well.

How did you get together with the other members?

I met them at a studio one night when I went to visit Macy Gray. She was working on some stuff with them that they were producing. We kind of just kicked up a conversation about creativity, where Hip Hop was, what we felt was missing, and what we wanted to give. It just seemed really easy. We just started recording and it just built from there.

Not only do you rap. You also act, do voice-overs, and narration. How do you balance it all?

There are people that run all of those divisions. The voice over agency takes care of that. The appearance and performance stuff, the management takes care of that. So it’s not really too much I have to worry about except showing up. It’s pretty easy. It’s fun. It’s not like work to me. So I just do it.

As far as the voice-overs and narration, what made you to decide to go down that avenue?

Well I wanted to do radio before I wanted to rap. It just seemed like the closest thing to being able to use my voice. So I started doing voiceovers in 1996 and it just kind of flourished. I think for a long time I was doing them and people really didn’t know they were me until I started doing the BET Awards and the VH1 Awards. Then they began to listen out like, “Oh yea ok. That is Lyte on that AT&T or that’s her on that one and that one.” So I’ve been doing it for quite some time. I think it was just to diversify and do something different.

I heard that you have a new album coming out. Could you tell me about that?

I don’t really have anything to say about that album because I’m not that far into it. I probably have about 5 songs done. It doesn’t have a title yet. What I can say is that it’s going to be just me unplugged in terms of just saying what I feel. I’m not really trying to fit into the motif of what’s happening with Hip Hop today. It’s not going to be a lot of synthesizers. I may touch a little of something but, for the most part it’s going to be a real soul and genuine Hip Hop record.

Is this a personal experience or an industry album?

It’s going to definitely be personal.

How was it for you when you first started out being a female?

I had to work harder and make sure the team stood up for me in areas where other MCs may not have wanted me to headline or they didn’t feel like I should have gotten the money that I was suppose to get (just those little minute details). It was just making sure that the management went in there and fought for it. I think just being able to hang with the guys lyrically was what was most important because if not they sort of grouped you into another category like Pop. Today it may be cool if a Hip Hop song goes Pop but, back in the day if you made a Pop song then it wasn’t really a good look.

What do you think has caused the industry to change for female MCs?

Female MCs are not selling. It’s a big issue. You can’t keep spending money in an area where you’re not showing a return. I don’t really think as it relates to majors it’s something to take seriously or personally. All of the women who do love Hip Hop and Rap and those who love to support female MCs should just come to the table and do that. In the end we could go begging for a major deal or wanting that desperately but, the truth is okay after that then what.

Be who you are period without a major deal or even if you’re doing it independently. It’s still something to do in terms of your craft. I think that’s what it’s really about. It’s not just for women but, for the guys that are rapping too. We do it because we love it, not just because it’s some big major record label check to get out of it. What I love about the internet is you see all of these young talented guys and girls that are creating just because they love to do it.

Given the fact that women have to fend harder for respect do you think it’s crucial for female MCs to address misconceptions in their subject matter?

Yes, absolutely. That goes without saying that they should get involved on a level that’s most personal to them. I think that before any woman is a rapper she’s a woman. So it’s up to us to clarify and shed light on some areas where women perhaps are not being treated fairly, being disrespected, or derogatory comments are being made. Yes, why not. I think we should speak on it.

Who are some new artists that you’re feeling right now?

I love The Grapes, those that have been in the game for a while. I also love those who are right at the forefront. I’m definitely checking out Mae Day in Detroit, Iman in Chicago, Nebula in LA, and Pinky in Atlanta. There are female MCs all over the place.

With as much experience as you have in this business obviously you’ve seen more advantages than negatives since you are still in it. What are some necessary qualities needed for females and artists period to be able to withstand the challenges of the industry?

I would definitely say just educating yourself and knowing what it is you want at the end of the day. If you know what you want at the end of the day you will or won’t allow yourself to do certain things along that journey. You’ll know what you should be going after and what you can actually just let go because that want is just not for you (it doesn’t help with your end product).

Again, you do more than just rap. Today it seems as if it’s almost mandatory for artists to do more than music and they pretty much have to build a brand. What advice would you give to someone who only does 1 thing?

They need to reach out and start doing more. I think the best thing is learning some new talent that you didn’t even think you had. It’s the best feeling in the world to add something else to the roster. So if you’re a journalist, great. You’re feeling good and you’re writing stories. Ok, now spread your wings and write about something different. Write about travel, museums, third world countries, hunger, and just things that you’ve never thought to tap into. Then once you’ve done that add photography. If you’ve been hiring a photographer all this time to get your pictures now you start doing it. I think you’ll find a wonder in doing things like that. Also, you’ll find a zest and excitement for life that might have been missing.