Let’s face it, female rappers owe and should thank the great MC Lyte for her trailblazing efforts in the early development of hip-hop. The rapper, born Lana Moorer, stomped on the yard of the big boys when rap was becoming relevant. She earned her title and ultimate respect while maintaining her feminine, sexy, cool class, making a path for artists like Lil’ Kim, Lauryn Hill and Nicki Minaj.
And thank goodness her work hasn’t stopped quite yet. MC Lyte is still in the music business, but doing things a little differently. Over the summer, she was named president of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Recording Academy, which awards the Grammys. And with the awards right around the corner (Feb. 12, to be exact), she admits the job is tremendous, but she’s having fun nonetheless.
“Recently, I had rounds of meetings that happen twice a year with presidents and trustees,” Lyte told the BoomBox. “But what I found out was it’s not just about addressing some of the issues with the Grammy Awards show. It’s about all the other entities that exist outside with branding, partnerships and the philanthropic side of the Grammy Museum.”
She also pointed out that she is the first African-American woman to hold the position. “I am elated. I look forward to the upcoming Grammy Awards.”
So do I, MC Lyte, and I send you congratulations on your selection as president of the Los Angeles Chapter.