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MC LYTE

Lyricist, pioneer, icon, veteran and entrepreneur could all be used to describe MC Lyte. One of the most prolific and well-respected female Hip Hop artists to ever bless the mic, MC Lyte has consistently found ways to reinvent herself musically, while expanding her resume and gaining new fans. Reared in Brooklyn, New York, she always has her finger on Hip Hop’s pulse. Many are familiar with her stellar music making skills, but over the course of her extensive career Lyte has ventured out to other avenues that have allowed her to show the world just how talented she truly is.

AND THEN THERE WAS LYTE… MC Lyte first appeared on the scene in 1988 with her debut album Lyte As A Rock. At the tender age of 17 she began schooling other MCs in the art of rhyme, and since that time she has proven that greatness always prevails with a total of ten albums (9 plus a “GREATEST HITS”) to her credit. A pioneer in the industry, she opened the door for future female Hip Hop artists by daring to do what had never been done while doing something she loved. Lyte is the FIRST rap artist ever to perform at New York’s historic Carnegie Hall and the FIRST female rapper to ever receive a gold single. MC LYTE’s inspiring 1993 classic anthem, “Ruffneck,” was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rap Single. In fact, she was the FIRST female solo rapper ever nominated for a Grammy! Ten years later her 2003 album “Undaground Heat vol.1” hosted by Jamie Foxx, garnered this rap legend her second career Grammy nomination. It was released on her own label SGI/CMM. The single “Ride Wit Me” also received a BET Award nomination for Best Female Rap Performance. In 2006, MC Lyte became the first solo female rapper to be honored/inducted on VH-1’s HIPHOP HONORS!

Lyte serves as a beautiful example that females can rock the mic just as good and oftentimes even better than a man! Lyte’s lyrical skills have also been tapped into by Hollywood. She co-wrote and performed the television theme songs for Fox’s “Dark Angel” and BET’s “Holla.” Her last music offering, Back to Lyte (2006), featuring the smash hit “Wonder Years,” (produced by DJ Premier) was an in your face display of Lyte’s ability to stay timely and in demand. This can further be heard on her recent contribution to the remix of neo-soul songstress Jill Scott’s smash hit “Hate on Me.” Fans will be pleased to know that Lyte recently returned to the studio to record album number eleven. Currently untitled, she is recording an album to be released on DuBose Music Group where Lyte also serves as Executive Vice President

ACTING… It’s only natural that a woman who has mastered the studio and the stage take her incredible presence to the world of television and film. MC Lyte became a favorite on UPN’s primetime hit sitcom “Half & Half” as Kai, a hard but fair record company president. She even served as a recurring celebrity judge on CBS’ “Star Search” with Arsenio Hall. Her other credits include Lana, a recurring character on the WB’s long running comedy “For Your Love”. Lyte can also dish up the drama as evidenced in her roles on CBS’, “The District” and FOX’s “Get Real” series. She also had appearances on UPN’s “Platinum” and “In the House,” Nickelodeon’s “Cousin Skeeter” and MTV’s “DNC.” In 2006, she joined the world of reality TV and served as mentor to Shar Jackson, the winner of the MTV reality series “Celebrity Rap Superstar.” In the world of film, Lyte co-starred in Playa’s Ball, which tells the story of the NBA’s newest rookie whose life is turned upside by a paternity suit and rape charge. Lyte shows what’s really going down in an all female prison in the Trimark/Lions Gate’s feature release, Civil Brand. Other big screen roles include Extreme Pictures’ Train Ride, Cinergi Pictures’ Burn Hollywood Burn, Warner Brother’s Fly By Night and the independent features, Luv Tails and Short Handed.

VOICEOVER & RADIO… With her signature style and recognizable voice it only makes sense that Lyte would be tapped for national voiceover campaigns. She just finished recording a campaign for telecommunications giant AT&T and she has also been the voice behind the VH1 HipHop Honors and national campaigns for Wherehouse Music, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s and Nike. This June marked her 3rd year as announcer for the Annual BET Awards.  She assisted Mattel by lending her pipes to the overwhelmingly popular Mattel Diva Stars “Chat Doll”—Tia. Lyte’s sultry sound was heard for 5 years as she hosted her own weekend radio show on Sirius Satellite Radio.

AUTHOR, MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER & ENTREPRENEUR…Whenever possible, Lyte enjoys traveling to colleges and universities across the nation to use her expertise and story of success to motivate young people to take ownership of the world around them, while striving to be the best they can possibly be. A role model to women everywhere, Lyte never compromises who she is and consistently displays that a woman can turn heads fully clothed! More of her words of wisdom can be found in her first literary offering. Her self-published book “Just My Take,” words of poetry & inspiration for today’s Hip Hop generation can be purchased on her web site www.mc-lyte.com. Lyte is also very active in many social projects, involving herself in anti-violence campaigns, Rock the Vote, and contributing her time and expertise to several non-profit organizations. She is also a proud member of the national sorority

STAY TUNED…This incredibly talented woman has been in the game almost a decade and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Many artists have come and gone but MC Lyte still remains shining brighter than ever!!!

 

 

NEXT UP DJ MC LYTE

 

 

 

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  • Don’t Speak About It, Be About It
    From our Hip Hop Sister Michelle Woods:

    There is some sort of creative energy rotating with the sun these days. People are finding their true passion and coming up with all sorts of ideas as to how to execute them. Folks are putting teams together, organizing groups and gathering friends and family for support and resources. The ongoing problem is what are we making of these resources? What are we doing with pdf files and loose papers filled with notes upon notes describing our grand plan that could change the economy, provide shelter for the homeless or help people own property?

    IT’S TIME TO EXECUTE PEOPLE! Pursuing our dreams is the beginning of a world changing domino affect. When you do something you love, you love doing it. It’s that simple! We help people and when we feel good we make others feel good. These people like you and can’t seem to understand why it is that whenever they’re around you, they feel better. It’s because you’re happy. Those same people tell others about you (which keeps your business booming) and start to feel motivated to pursue THEIR dreams in hopes of being as consistently happy as you are!

    It doesn’t matter if you have a 9-5, or you are the CEO of your own corporate office or run a non- profit as long as you are HAPPY and content. We tend to equate “content” with stability and money. Sure generating funds from pursuing your passion is a major bonus but the true pay off lies within. Let the excited beat of your heart knock over a domino and wah’lah, you can witness the magic of true happiness.

    Be creative. Make a career of your passion. Don’t Speak About It, Be About It!
    Come visit me at Okaysister.com
  • Greeting Card Love
    Written by our Hip Hop Sister Michelle Woods

    Have you ever received a meaningful greeting card that touched you? Why was it so special? What did it say? Do you keep all your cards or do you throw them away? What makes a greeting card worth keeping?

    When you're in the card aisle of a grocery store or even in the Hallmark store itself, how do you choose your greeting cards?

    People express themselves in different ways. Some folks carefully choose a greeting card to make sure it says exactly what they want to say. Some buy blank greeting cards to simply have an opportunity to express their feelings in their own words. Maybe they buy the card for the artwork and the gesture.

    Greeting cards are given to acknowledge a special someone. Could be a special occasion, a holiday, a Thank You, an Apology, a well wish etc. No matter the occasion a greeting card lets someone know how you're feeling.

    The question is, how often do these cards take the place of face to face interaction? How often do people let a piece of printed cardstock take the place of their heart? Would you be willing to read your card to it's recipient if you had to?

     It's a great thing that we have so many options when it comes to communication. What's your top choice?


    Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
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  • THE AALIYAH STORY
    WRITTEN BY OUR HIP HOP SISTER MICHELLE WOODS


    Can you find all of the Aaliyah song titles in the story? There are 53!

    A Story for all folks born before ‘82
    Enjoy!

    “Ok little shorties, come over here and sit down for a second. Who has ever heard of Aalyiah?”

    The kids hands go up and they shout out all different types of answers, “Lil’ Jody says, “my older cousins name is Aaliyah…” Lil’ Kevin says, “No, she’s talking about the famous girl who used to sing.”

    I said, “ That’s right Lil’ Kevin, Aaliyah was a very special person and she touched many lives. Would you like me to tell you all a little bit about her?”

    The kids shout, ”Yayyyyyyyy!”

    “Ok, this is THE AALIYAH STORY”

    Once upon a time, there was a girl. No a young Woman., No a woman…. Wait. Ok. She was definitely more than a woman. In any case, her name was Aaliyah Dana Haughton. She had a mother and a father and one brother. As she was growing up she would sing all around the house. She had a dream! When she was a teenager, sometimes she would even bust a loose rap! She had a famous aunt who helped make the journey to the top a little extra smooth! She would visit different record companies and whenever they didn’t feel she was a perfect fit, she would simply try again.

    Aaliyah had heart and style. She was known for her baggy pants and midriff tank tops and T-Shirts. She would let her long black tresses hang low and everyone copied her trademark side bang over her eye! Sometimes she would replace her bang with a patch! I really don’t know what to tell ya, Aaliyah was beautiful!

    Lil’ Timmy interjected, “ Everyone says my mom is beautiful and they say she looks JUST like Aaliyah.” “Well, nobody looks JUST like someone else Timmy, especially JUST like Aaliyah. I don’t wanna say they don’t resemble each other but…” I didn’t even have to finish; I think Lil Timmy got the picture!

    So, Aaliyah was on a rise to stardom. She was talented, pretty, and her dancing was hot like fire! She was compared to the likes of Janet Jackson and it was warranted. But when the press would compare Ciara and Beyonce to her, the fans would say,”u got nerve.”

    Aaliyah didn’t care what people said about her and the allegations that she really thought age ain’t nothin but a number when it came to her dating Superstar producer R. Kelly. She always had a very “it’s whatever,” kind of attitude! She’d simply check in with the fans and ask, “are you feelin me” and then tell them that everything’s gonna be alright.

    She was born to sing and always focused! Aaliyah was a rare creed who was plucked like a rose and broken in /the game like an eclipse of the sun. It didn’t take her long to become a movie queen and head over to the dark side in a film called Queen of The Dammed. She starred in a few movies where she was able to rock a different beat and she was able to work it out! Her fans stuck around because she was genuine and no matter what she went through she always came back in one piece! There was nothing messed up about Aaliyah. I gotta give it up to her parents because they did a great job with her!

    She was also very mature for her age and well beyond her years. Even with love. Aaliyah would ask, ”are you that somebody” and even if she ended up heartbroken from going back and forth  with the same guy, she’d always be able to read between the lines and suggest, “we need a resolution.”

    Aaliyah would always represent for all the ladies in the house and tell us not to rock the boat no matter how john blaze the guy/girl is and to just hold on until your were at your best! The lyrics to her songs were never forgotten. It was like she was speaking directly to us saying, “don’t worry, I gotcha back.”

    Then she would dance her butt off  and I would sit in front of the TV with all I need! I’d have my dance clothes on, a glass of water, my 4 page letter that I sent to her fan box each week and a headshot of her that I got from her fan club!

    Those were the days when saying I care for you and asking are you feelin’ me wasn’t about putting yourself out there.  When saying never no more and I refuse was about self empowerment. Sometimes I would wonder “what if I can be a girl like you and make beats 4 the streets?!?”

    When Aaliyah was 22 years old she was on an airplane heading home from a music video shot and the plane crashed. Her life was cut so so  short and it left a void in the hearts of us all!

    Fellas, maybe in you’re world your girlfriend is hot but did she know Aaliyah. I mean if your girl only knew!!!

    She was truly one in a million and I got to give it up to my girl. She’s the one I gave my heart to because she was never giving up. Even though on this side of heaven she’s never comin’ back I always found it amazing that she keeps giving you more and coming out with new songs!

    If I could I would go as a man undercover into heaven and look Aaliyah in her eyes and say, I came to give love and I miss you!

    TBC

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