MC Lyte-She IS the Light
A myriad of definitions that describe one five-letter word and can span many different directions. It’s funny how the definition of the word LIGHT can also pertain to a woman that has carried the moniker for some twenty-five years in the music industry and made a name for herself that still stands strong. When you visually experience “The Lyte” you see a small, intelligent attractive woman but when you encounter her true presence and that verbal delivery, ohhh that verbal delivery, your visual perception is suddenly transformed to the person that has been able to sustain a career and transform a fledgling genre of music into a powerhouse in the industry.
MC Lyte (The Lyte), as we all affectionally know Lana Moorer as, began her career in the rap game in the late 80’s and has not looked back. She began her career with a string of hits that took music by storm as we had never experienced the toughness, rawness and balls that she exuded in her rhymes and on stage presence. She was, and is, a tough cookie that has proven that she is a force to be reckoned with even when she was a 16 year old child. With eleven albums, a plethora of awards and nominations later, footprints set in the sand for all other female emcees, as well as artists in general, to follow and years of life lessons learned along the way that could outshine any Lifetime movie, The Lyte has constructed a blueprint for success that seemed improbable when the critics, talking heads and musical experts said that her selected field of study wouldn't last because it was merely a fad. Lyte led the way for all female MC’s when she was thrust to the forefront of rap and in time made her presence known so much so that she was contacted by the Smithsonian in her later career for personal memorabilia for the museum to display proudly. Said Lyte “they called me up and asked was there something I wanted to contribute and I definitely knew I wanted to participate so I gave them something personal. A journal that was eventually the manuscript to a self-published inspirational book.” That book, Just My Take (2007), is a mountain of information of inspirational words, passages and poems that she decided to share with us all. The book can be purchased by contacting Lyte on http://www.OFFICIALMCLYTE.COM/ and/or via Twitter @ twitter.com/#!/MCLYTE. It will be a great read for you so do yourself a favor and purchase the book for yourself and/or as a gift for someone that appreciates knowledge and literature. The multi-faceted musician has also broadened her horizons to include voice overs and a career that she has been involved with since 1997. Her voice can be heard on the STARZ Network, commercials from giants such as Nike, McDonald’s and projects with BET such as the BET Awards and the television show The Boot. Being such a busy little bee she answered my question of “Why?” with simply “I take down time but I'm not always fond of it. I like what I do, so to me working is fun! Downtime for me consists of reading (The Ten Commitments: David Simon: a rather encouraging read which suggests to the reader to change from the commandment mentality to a commitment mindset (Amazon)), writing and the gym.” As far as other interests, when relaxing Lyte expressed that Esther Hicks (Inspirational Speaker) and The Vortex (being all that is and knowing that you are a part of it, Meditation, Yoga, and various other self-nurturing practices) are what fills her CD player at this time. Such an eclectic mix for such an eclectic woman!
With as much passion as she shows onstage I had to ask how she keeps the fire burning and what does she feel we all can do to encourage our communities to uplift and support each other more. Lyte said “of course, I love being in touch with my fans. It's an incredible experience to perform for every generation at once. Having traveled the world I know that poverty exists everywhere. There are people that are oppressed everywhere. Having witnessed that I'm involved with countless organizations that reach out and help the communities that are effected most by violence, AIDS and teenage pregnancy. I feel that we should talk and listen to one another, share our struggles and be willing to learn more about our neighbors.” The right to support other causes is the upmost to this lady and it makes anyone with a heart and compassion for their fellow man jump aboard and want to lend a helping hand themselves.
I recently caught a very unexpected performance on Divas & Duets on VH1 of Lyte and Sugerland (Jennifer Nettles & Kristian Bush), who I personally think are AWESOME performers in their own right, and was blown away as they performed “Stuck Like Glue”. Lyte said the collaboration came to fruition “when they called me up and asked was I interested in performing with them and I immediately said yes. I had a really good time with Sugarland! They are really cool people.” Not one to stick to one brand, genre or pigeon-holed character Lyte added that “growth can only happen when one believes they have something to learn.” Seeing Lyte branch out even further with this country-pop infused band I had to ask her what does she see in her future and she answered “Not sure if I will do any further movies or television as God only knows that. My work affords me the ability to work on both the East and West coasts and I enjoy both, so and I’ll continue recording when I feel it and when I'm inspired. Until then....I'm chillin'.”
This Lyte always has BEEN and always WILL be the epitome of the aforementioned definition of the Light! A Light I don't see dimming anytime soon. Continue to shine sister and spread the love and knowledge that you are respected and revered for.
God bless!
