Up next in 10
🎤 Don't miss out on an exclusive deep dive into hip-hop history with MC Lyte as she joins Sway In The Morning! In this captivating interview, MC Lyte reveals untold stories from her iconic career, sharing insider details about her groundbreaking achievements and the challenges she faced along the way. From being the first MC to perform at the White House to receiving the W.E.B. Du Bois Medal from Harvard University, MC Lyte's influence on the hip-hop industry and beyond is undeniable.
Tune in as MC Lyte discusses her unique voice, her collaborations with music legends, and her upcoming projects, including the highly anticipated new album "One of One" dropping on September 20th. Plus, celebrate with her as she returns to her hometown of Brooklyn to receive the entertainer's key to the city!
Subscribe for more exclusive interviews and content from Sway’s Universe. Watch more inspiring conversations and stay connected with the latest in hip-hop, social change, and entertainment. Join the community and be part of the conversation!
#MCLyte #SwayInTheMorning #HipHop #SwaysUniverse #ExclusiveInterviews #Brooklyn #OneOfOne #LegendaryCareer
#HipHopRoots #McLyteMusic #McLyteInfluences #HipHopMilestones #HipHopLegend
CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro
01:23 - Finding the Right Sound for Your Voice
06:34 - MC Lyte - Ice Cream Dream
10:15 - Key to Brooklyn for MC Lyte
11:52 - MC Lyte’s New Album & Song “King”
14:55 - MC Lyte’s Book with 5-Year-Old Rapper
18:28 - MC Lyte & Hip Hop Sisters Foundation
21:42 - MC Lyte’s Book with Van Van
Show More Show Less View Video Transcript
0:00
Ladies and gentlemen, that was 10 years ago in 2014
0:03
Oh my God. That's crazy. Oh my God. 10 years ago. Yo, that was..
0:08
I still feel the same. You look even better. Well, thank you
0:13
Thank you very much. Ladies and gentlemen, the Grammy nominated. I remember Billboard ranked her in the top 50 greatest rappers of all time
0:22
I remember when she performed at the White House. She was the first MC to ever do it, have the B
0:28
I used to frequent the White House back then. First female artist. You and me both
0:33
We both used to frequent the White House. Well, nobody really want to go the past few years
0:39
That's, well, yeah. I mean, just saying. Harvard University awarded her with the W.E.B. Du Bois Medal
0:47
the highest honor you could receive in the field of African and African-American studies. Wow
0:52
her influence alone helped mold and shape a whole industry and redefine what a woman can be
1:06
sound like look like in the world of hip-hop she was a big part of that so much so that she even
1:13
helped confirm had to be as an emcee that what you're doing is palatable it's viable it's valuable
1:21
Heather, you talked about her voice this morning. I talked about it this morning, which you had no idea
1:28
So when we were talking about the song that you did with Escape, and you said that it was one of the first times
1:35
and I'm paraphrasing, that it was this sound that would go with your voice
1:40
Yeah. And I said that to Sway because I remember first hearing you and thinking
1:45
even though La was out, even though Sweet Tea was out, obviously internet shantay all these different people yeah my voice wasn't their voice my voice
1:56
had just a different tone and texture and i was like it's going to be hard for me to find a dj
2:01
back when i thought djs made the music i didn't know how to produce it's going to be hard and
2:07
when you shared with me that it was about some finding something to match your voice that's why
2:12
i said don't say nothing else because you will not believe the conversation we were having this
2:16
morning about your voice i fought that for a lot of years trying to find the right producer in person
2:23
for my voice which ended up being kenny parker krs1's brother yeah yeah you had to find the right
2:28
person all clocks damn come on mc light the icon is in the business thank you
2:35
thank you thank you joe this is amazing like i'm reading your i've only scratched the surface of
2:44
the many accomplishments that you have made. No, I will continue. But it's true
2:51
When you came out, when Light as a Rock came out, and we hadn't really heard anything like it
2:59
your mannerisms, you know, you was like a B-girl, you know, and I came from that community
3:05
It was like, oh, shit, a real rapper who really recognized, you know
3:09
the whole lineage of everything. But when she brought up the voice, I never even thought about that
3:14
I just accepted it. Was there any apprehension for you about your voice when people first start hearing you rap
3:22
What did they say? Apprehension for me? No. Others, maybe. Okay. I do remember Nat Robinson, who was my manager at that time, he told me that he had played it for Red Alert
3:37
Which song, though? Do you remember which song? I think it was I Cram to Understand You. The first one. And Red Alert said, oh, it was after I performed it at Latin Quarters
3:46
Red Alert told him her voice is too monotone. It's like it's I don't it's not going to go anywhere
3:56
I don't even think Red knows I know, you know, said that
4:00
But all of that to say, I didn't want bells and whistles
4:05
I didn't. I was trying to talk to you. And I think that's what came out of that 88
4:11
It was Rakim talking to you, Kane talking to you, Chris talking to you
4:17
You know, that was a big year for the switchover from this. And, you know, I'm like that
4:22
And that's the way. This was just like in your face, like we talking, you know
4:28
And so I don't have any qualms with it. Yeah. But you did have to face, you know
4:34
I say this because women obviously I'm not a woman but the experience I wouldn't have thought about
4:40
that like why the voice couldn't be an issue like you you don't hear that kind of comment about men
4:46
voices as much you know like well I think if you hear someone on something that just doesn't fit
4:52
whether it's male or female it's like that doesn't really complement their voice some people they're
4:58
okay with fighting against the beat. I want to meld into it. And we were talking about quickly
5:05
about Keep On that was on. Jermaine and I had done about three or four songs prior to hitting on that
5:12
one. And when we hit on that one, we were like, oh, okay, these sounds are right with my voice
5:20
and vice versa. And so I just think it's about finding what is going to complement your voice
5:25
well and it just so happens my voice is so heavy that i need like just bass and kick i need basic
5:33
stuff that's sparse enough that i could get in and hit you with those lines but that also that
5:40
you could feel it not something that i'm fighting up against ice cream dream to me was a fight okay
5:44
it was like this is not really so much going on in this track um but jimmy jam and terry lewis
5:51
wanted me to do it for Mo Money soundtrack for Damon Wayans movie. And I did it, but it wasn't
5:57
the most comfortable thing. Ice cream dream. So what did how did they produce you in it? Did they
6:02
was a lot of stop and go? Well, we sat down and they have a writing style that I really appreciate
6:10
And I've come to use it over the years. It's like, okay, what is the topic? Now we're going to write
6:15
everything down about that topic and the topic happened to be ice cream so it was like
6:21
you know strawberry chocolate sprinkles you know all the stuff so as you begin to write
6:27
you're just pulling in those words so that you stay on topic let's hear this for a second
6:33
oh lord the song she don like she put it in context this is a platinum record Ow Ow Ow Let hear what she was saying Turn that up for me a little bit
6:47
MC Light is here. So head to toe. Oh. Oh. Yeah. Wow. Wow
7:06
Mm-hmm. Yeah. I was going to dream. Just the way I like it
7:17
Sweet dreams from this don't wake me. You couldn't even if you tried to shake me
7:22
What do you want? Because I'm in a deep sleep. No nightmare here. Damn talking. Shop the truth
7:26
Slick and slippery. Think it's gotta be. It's mandatory that I make him a part of me
7:30
I'll make the dream last because it seems I can only have him in my ice cream dream. Yeah
7:36
What do you think when you hear the younger you doing these things
7:41
I sound so corny. But you were featured on another soundtrack, the Nightmare on Elm Street soundtrack with Sinead O'Connor
7:51
Oh, yeah. Well, you know what? That was a song, a remix I did with her, and then they gave it to Nightmare on Elm Street
7:58
Like, it wasn't done for that. This was done for the movie
8:02
Gotcha. which, you know, trying to match a rhyme to a scene about ice cream is just
8:09
Yeah, it was played during the montage when they were shopping and everything like that. I remember this. I've seen that movie a million times
8:13
I definitely remember that. Sinead O'Connor, though, like when you look at the list of folks
8:17
I forget sometimes as we write this down. Did y'all work together in person
8:23
Yeah, we did. She was she was incredibly special. I just remember her coming out on tour one time
8:32
And you know how we'll stop the buses at a rest stop or something
8:35
So we stopped at a rest stop, and we started playing Coca-Livia, 1, 2, 3
8:41
What's that? It. It. It. That's a cool way to say it
8:46
Okay. But it, you just tag them. You it. Oh, yeah. Right. Coca-Livia, you got to hold on to them
8:51
Coca-Livia, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3. You never played that yet. No, I didn't play that
8:55
Was that an East Coast? That's the hood. Oh, yeah, from Oakland, you couldn't grab nobody longer than a second
8:59
I'm sorry. I think you want to work for them on the holster. off me, son. I'm pimps out there
9:03
No, you be bringing your money home. No, no. So we played that game and she had such a good time
9:12
She basically was like, this is the best time I've ever had in my life. Wow
9:17
Yeah, just being free enough to run around and laugh and joke
9:21
And when they called me to do that song, her manager, Faulkner, called my manager
9:27
And she had heard I Cram to Understand You and liked the way I said, shut the up
9:32
And she wanted me to say that on her record. Wow. Yeah, she couldn't believe I said it on the record
9:38
So what I looked at her for, she looked at me for
9:42
and that was just some badass women saying what was on their minds
9:47
And so I said that on Put Your Hands On Me, which was the remix for her record
9:51
Did you find that I have things in common that you wouldn't have thought of
9:58
I think I was too young to even know what those things were. I just knew that we loved speaking our minds and was unafraid to address any topics
10:08
MC light is here, man. Come on. It's a big day happening. Saturday
10:12
Brooklyn, Brooklyn rise up New York city. It's a big day happening
10:19
Saturday. We're going to celebrate MC lights return to her hometown of Brooklyn
10:23
Yes. And she's going to be presented with the entertainers key to the city
10:28
That's great. Presented by the one and only Mayor Eric Adams, produced by Globestar Media
10:33
Congratulations, Mike. Thank you. Thank you very much. I mean, this. This one's for Brooklyn
10:39
Right. Come on. Right. Kick this one for the 90s. Now kick this one here for me and my DJ
10:46
Do you do do do do do do do do do do do do do? You can cha-cha
10:50
Okay, anyway. Okay. Let's go do a whole mix. You know, I have live performing
10:55
We do a whole concert here. It has to be an amazing feeling
10:59
to be recognized by your hometown. Totally. And when you guys just did the Brooklyn thing
11:05
I just thought if I had, if I could take all the songs that I rep Brooklyn in
11:10
and make an EP, make an album. You really could. Yeah, it's been quite a few
11:14
But yes, coming back to Brooklyn is everything. This is the nice Brooklyn that everybody want to be
11:20
Yeah, yeah. The nice Brooklyn. The nice Brooklyn. Yeah. But growing up in East Flatbush
11:26
I'd never change it for anything in the world. I'm a faking Jamaican. Pleasure to meet you
11:30
The Caribbean people raised me And so it feels good to be home
11:35
It feels good to be home You got your speech ready? I actually don't
11:39
Now that you said that I guess I gotta think This is big, like Come on
11:43
It's pretty big This is pretty big, like Okay, I won't commit it to Okay, I'll see what
11:48
Let me get it together Start thinking, okay Yes, I'll start thinking MC Light is here
11:52
She has a new project coming out Sometime in September Yeah, well, September 20th
11:58
September, you got the date? 20th. September 20th. One of one. Yeah
12:02
One of one. Yeah. Let's come back and talk about that. Let's do it. King King
12:07
Yeah. You made this song. When I listened to it, I felt like you were talking specifically to me
12:12
Say, I love you. When I heard that in the song, I said, I love you back, like
12:20
Take it in from everybody. You need to say it back to her, too. I love it
12:23
I love when our black women are telling us, I love you. Absolutely
12:27
We need that. Right. We're vulnerable people. I felt that. Yeah, we needed that
12:32
I felt that while recording it. Yeah, we need, we want that acknowledgement
12:37
The society has kept us all divided and at each other's necks over some of the silliest, most distracting reasons
12:44
This is powerful for so many levels. You could have made any song while you make this one
12:51
Let me tell you, God gave it to me. Amen. I was listening specifically not the ruler out of VA
12:59
I was talking to him. I said, I need some tracks. I want you to know this album is inspirational
13:04
So whatever you can, you know, get to me. He got me that song that became King King
13:10
And he also got me a song called Thank You. Both of those songs, I swear to you, God, downloaded
13:16
It was about maybe 1 2 o in the morning And before I knew it it was coming out Oh it was called King King okay yeah what am I and it just was coming out everything that I felt that especially for young young and old men
13:31
who find a woman that are afraid to take the next step because they're boys oh she ain't it she ain't
13:40
the one don't nobody knows who your one is and I just wanted to shine a light on the men who have
13:47
stepped over into that realm of responsibility and shine a light on them so that the younger
13:54
ones can see them and go oh it's okay i i made them a role model in this song so that others
14:00
could see it's okay and even if you're not ready for that don't disregard or uh downplay what this
14:07
woman means to you for the sake of looking like something for your boys yeah yeah yeah yeah and
14:14
And then just family and just, okay, so you solo. That's good, too
14:20
You still a king. You still got to represent for us, for the community, for, you know
14:26
and for those women that you do love, your sister, your mom, your cousins
14:31
your best friends, your daughters. So, yeah, I just felt like it was this time to
14:37
and it's so funny because it's coming on the heels of woman. Yeah, that was the first
14:41
Right. So it wasn't planned, oh, we're going to do woman, and then we're going to come with King King
14:45
It wasn't like that at all. It's just how God laid the cards out
14:49
I love how they're laying out right now. It's a great hand. 888-742-3345
14:55
This is dedicated to all of you. Shea 45, King King. That's the brand new one by MC Light
14:59
off the new album One of One that comes out September 20th. She's also getting a key to Brooklyn
15:05
this Saturday. At what location though? Coney Island Amphitheater. Coney Island Amphitheater
15:13
Beautiful location 5 o'clock doors open 5pm 5pm You doing a show
15:18
Yeah She's gonna be performing too I'm performing We got EPMD The God Rakim Tretch
15:26
Lola Brooke What the? And a couple of surprises Salute to Lola Brooke
15:31
Love her That's our girl right there Shout out to Eric Sherman Shout out to Tretch
15:36
Man, shout out to everybody I like how you're embracing the youth, the younger generation
15:42
I think it's really important. And they look up to you. And just to get the inside information
15:47
a lot of us didn't have opportunity to have that. The business is relatively new
15:51
So we didn't have a whole lot of mentors. We didn't have a mentor pool. Van Van
15:59
Yo, if y'all don't know who Van Van is by now, you've been sleeping
16:02
The real Van Van. The real Van Van is like one of the most ferocious MCs
16:08
in the business of hip-hop right now let me tell you i've been following her how old is she
16:13
five five years old that's crazy got bars like she's 500 she's five and the thing is we were at
16:21
lunch the other day and she was like what is that word and i said it and she was like what is that
16:25
word i said do you know what that means she was like no i said okay so i told her what it was
16:29
and then it dawned on me for this little girl that carries on a conversation the way that she does
16:35
she doesn't read yet. She's getting ready to go into kindergarten. Wow. She's she's written songs
16:42
her and her father. I know salute to her parents. Yes. You know, I've educators educators. I've
16:48
communicated with her father because I want to have her on the show. Reggie. Reggie. I said
16:52
take your time. He said what she would doing. Do everything you got to do. Right. I've been a fan
16:56
before all of that. OK. And bring her to the show. I would love to meet her and put on our show. You
17:01
You guys wrote a book together, right? Yeah, Rhyme Time Adventures with MC Light and Van Van
17:08
And so it's just a book about the, actually the book starts out with her in the studio
17:12
and I'm coming in to hear what she has and she doesn't have anything
17:16
I'm like, what's going on? She goes, I can't think of anything. I said, oh, you might have what we call writer's block
17:23
And she's like, what is that? I said, let's get out of the studio. And then we kind of move ourselves around the city and a couple of things happen
17:31
that could deter kids or that could be off balance, you know, get them off balance
17:36
And then it's sort of like just helping her to understand that things may not always go the way that they're planned
17:44
But it's OK. There's a comeback in your fall down. And so the book will be available
17:51
Actually, pre-sale is happening right now. Yeah. Yeah. But it was a hoot doing that with her
17:57
I also have a song with her. Have you heard her album? Yeah. She's got an EP and we've got a song called Too Bold with me, Brat, Rhapsody, and Van Van
18:05
And she is holding her own on a track with the vets. Van Van trying to take y'all mics
18:12
She got us opening for her. She said she the leader of the new school
18:16
She said that? Uh-huh. And she got her little dance, too. Oh, yeah
18:21
Oh, my gosh. I love this young lady, man. I can't wait to meet her. And this is what I love you
18:27
So I just want to make a point, you know, that all of this reach out you do and it correlates with the Hip Hop Sisters Foundation and all the work that that foundation has done
18:36
Tell us about some of that work, especially those scholarships. Oh, absolutely. Well, we have a signature initiative, hashtag educate our men
18:44
And so we've sent several men to HBCU, specifically Dillard University, because that's who our partnership is with
18:52
And then we work with Wisconsin Madison and we sent about maybe four four students there
18:57
They've graduated. It has just been the joy when people ask me about the name light
19:03
I'm like, no, I'm just stepping into being the light when I'm able to help lead the way for those wanting to further their education
19:10
But you also give an example to all of us in your peer group how to evolve in life with these careers out of this culture, within this culture at the same time, and be able to grow naturally and not be confined by stereotypes or perceptions or what people think you should be doing right now
19:35
and embracing the evolution. We've all embraced our age and the fact I'm so happy
19:41
You know, my first single with King Tech came out in 88, too. I know you didn't hear it
19:46
It hit the charts. You know what? Get out, Sway. I ain't talking to you right now
19:50
It hit the Bay Area charts, though. We beat out Madonna. You know what I used to say
19:56
We used to do that, them charts. Well, Gavin reports it, whatnot. Yeah, we beat Madonna. We shut her down for a week You know what I mean But I seen a lot of folks have a difficult time because the industry tell you you have to stay a certain way and they had a they had a different difficult time evolving the way you have um curated your career yeah and the way you branched off and
20:17
created all these new verticals in your career there's two things i want to say to that okay
20:22
very early on nat robinson said we're going to make your name relevant independent of a hit song
20:30
So that opened the door for me to do all the things that I wanted to do
20:33
I wanted to act. I wanted to do voiceover. So I got an opportunity to study those things
20:40
But not without contention because the record label wanted me here in New York
20:46
but I was taking acting classes in Los Angeles. So there was sort of a push-pull, and then the record stuff became less important
20:57
And I had my eyes on the new thing. And so for some of you that are listening now that want to move from one space to another, sometimes it is convenient enough that you can stay and work another situation at the same time while you're building something
21:15
You got your other foot stuck in that water over there. But the truth is, most times if you really want to excel forward, you've got to let go of what's behind
21:27
And I was willing to let it go for a minute, but still had the faith that whenever I was ready, I could go back to it
21:33
And now here I am back at music where it all started, but I was able to build some things in the interim
21:40
I love it. Well said. MC Light is here. MC Light is here
21:45
We got a bunch of callers, Heather. As we should. Okay, yo, listen, callers, quick question
21:51
I'm trying to get through as many as possible. Andrea from Philly is on the line
21:55
What up, Andrea? Andrea, Andrea. Good morning, good morning. Is it Andrea, Andrea, Andrea
22:00
What is it? Andrea. Andrea. I got it right. There you go
22:04
Okay, what's up, Andrea? You're a different way. Yeah, you know. I can read
22:08
Thank you. Go ahead. MC Light is here. Oakland. I just want to say good morning to everyone
22:13
and I just want to give you your Just Do Empty Light. I've been a fan since the late 80s, early 90s
22:20
Anybody that knows me knows that I'm a fan. Ever since you were able to have songs on your phone for your ringtone
22:27
I've had one song, and that's been paper thin for the past 20-plus years
22:31
I just want to give you your flowers from here on out. I appreciate your work, your catalog, everything
22:37
I'm a true fan. Thank you so much for this call, Andrea. I appreciate you
22:42
Hey, Andrea, make sure you get that new album, September 20th. Yes
22:46
One of one. You got to support her, okay? That woman single is out. That King King is out, too
22:51
Let's get it popping. All right? It's a destiny. You're a super citizen
22:55
Super citizen. Nikki's on the line from Los Angeles. Nikki. What up, Nikki
23:00
What up? Good morning, everybody. Good morning. I really don't have a question for light
23:06
I just wanted to express my appreciation for the Supreme MC that she is. Thank you. Wow
23:11
You've been my face to say, hey, listen, I still have Light as a Rock on vinyl, and it's not going nowhere
23:17
Wow. She said on vinyl. Yes. I appreciate that. Wow. I need to put a signature on that thing one day
23:27
Yes. So even though I don't know you personally, sis, I just wanted to appreciate, I just wanted to express the way that I appreciate the way you've successfully transitioned into all your other projects, and you've been true to yourself this whole time
23:40
just keep doing your thing sis we love you out here thank you that's fire thank you so much Nikki
23:44
Nikki thank you for your call you're super citizen that's way in the morning Tiara's on the line
23:49
from Maryland what up T T what up lost her oh she hung up
23:53
damn just that quick you probably hung up I didn't hang her up alright let me see
23:57
she be messing up on her phone Vic thanks Heather Vic from Milwaukee
24:02
is on the line what up Vic what up what up MC Life
24:06
I just want to say thank you for all the years of hip hop that you gave us
24:09
I knew you from light as a rock Peace to DJ K-Rock and the place to be
24:14
Also you took a picture With my sister she passed away In November but she was a member
24:20
Of Sigma Gamma Rose Sorority Incorporated so I just want to Just let you know that you are
24:26
Great role model to my niece to say hi girl Hi And just keep doing your thing
24:31
Thank you so much for this call I appreciate you and God bless you
24:36
Vic what is your sister's name Say it three times for me My sister's name is Laurel Kilpatrick
24:42
She was a professor at Purdue University in northwestern Indiana, and she's the reason why I got through today
24:50
She's always looking out for me. Say it two more times. Laurel Kilpatrick
24:55
Laurel Kilpatrick. There you go. All right. We honor her, man. Yes
24:59
All right. And she lives on, Vic. And tell the daughters we said, hi, y'all citizens
25:03
I swear you the morning. All right. All right. Thank you. All right, man
25:07
Thank you. Like, this must feel great, man. It must feel great
25:12
People do this all the time now, everywhere you go, huh? I have no words
25:18
Yeah. Right now, I'm still with him. You're still with Vic. I'm still with Vic
25:22
He lost his sister. Yeah. That's heavy. A lot of, especially at this age, we're having people lose people, like, back to back
25:31
You know, I just spoke to somebody that lost their mother and father and two months apart
25:35
And, you know, it's just I know that this is not all there is to it
25:40
But you certainly do miss people when they're not in the physical form here
25:44
Absolutely. Absolutely. AMC Light, I love you. Yes. Love when you're here
25:50
I love y'all. We smile when we know you're coming. Right. And we see each other and just smile
25:54
Yes, we do. Every single time. Keep going. We need you. Thank you
26:00
The game needs you. Yes. The community needs you. The youth needs you and your peers need you
26:05
OK, thank you. Keep going. You always been a positive light in my book
26:09
Anything else you'd like to say? Just thank you. I'm in full gratitude of being here on this platform
26:16
I love that y'all are here. I love this. This is home
26:20
You all have made such a safe space here for artists to come through and show love and appreciation to
26:28
And you'll get into the hard stuff and then you'll love on the folks as well
26:32
and so I'm just happy to be here with y'all this morning and thank you
26:36
Thank you Light. We love you Light. Thank you for your words. Give it up for MC Light
#Arts & Entertainment