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MC Lyte Talking Heavy on
The Stage
IT’S
“BEAUTIFUL"
ALMOST SEPTEMBER
By Kamah Alicia Scott
The beautifully,
strong MC Lyte blessed Center Stage
Magazine with an interview. We wanted to know
how the Brooklyn born fly girl, that told us
that she was Lyte as a rock, became a heavy
hitter in the entertainment industry. MC Lyte
has continued to maintain on the scene. The
little sister of Milk Dee and Gizmo is still
making us move. The solo artist now has a new
tune and crew. Almost September, is spreading
the message of Hip-Hop with a refreshing course
of action. Lyte and her crew are, Fresh Def and
ready to party. With hits such as Lyte as a
Rock, I’m Not Havin’ It and Slave to the
Rhythm. MC Lyte a true Hip-Hop living legend
and trailblazer, there’s nothing Paper Thin
about that!
<read
more> |
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KS: When did you decide that you wanted to
become an MC?
MC LYTE: I decided a very long time ago.
When I heard Salt n Pepa do it, I knew I wanted
to be a part of Hip-Hop
KS: You certainly are still, the dopest female
that we've heard thus far. What does it feel
like to be best Female MC of all time? Do you
think that there
will ever be another female emcee to carry that
torch?
MC LYTE: No, I think everyone is different
for a reason. I feel like we all give something
that the other doesn't and we'll always have
something to offer that's
unique.
KS: Let us know
what you are bringing to your audience with,
“Almost September.” Where did you get the
concept for the name?
MC LYTE: Almost September, is a group that
I've wanted to start now for years. Finally I
met two guys that I completely vibe with. We
all have the same common goal and that is to
make good music. We came up with the name
after.
KS: How did you
all meet?
MC LYTE: I went to the studio to meet up
with Macy Gray and they were producing a track
for her. They were real cool and we decided then
that we should work on something in the future.
KS: Who are the
members of the group?
MC LYTE: Myself, J NICE and WHITEY.
KS: Can you
tell me if any of the members produced or wrote
any songs on the album?
MC LYTE: All the members write. J NICE and
WHITEY do all the music. They’ve worked with
Macy Gray, India Arie, Chingy, Nicole and Jo
Jo.
KS: Many new
groups tour overseas before coming back to the
US. Have you toured overseas? If so, what
country was most receptive to your style of
music?
MC LYTE: I've toured overseas plenty. (I’ve
been to) Korea, Germany, Italy, Spain, France,
Sweden, Sardinia and others.
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KS:
What are you bringing, with this new
group, Almost September?
MC LYTE: A new flavor that
encompasses soul and Hip-Hop. Soul
meaning, spirit and spirit meaning,
awake conscious.
KS: How
will Almost September be instrumental in
changing the game?
MC LYTE: Almost September, is a
movement that will allow all generations
to enjoy good Hip-Hop. I hope that it
will help other artists to believe in
themselves in letting them know that you
can be positive and still get your point
across. |
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KS: What are
two of your favorite songs on the album?
MC LYTE: Wow! I love them all. If I had to
choose, I would say Stay, Beautiful, and Shame.
KS: When
will you be dropping Back To LYTE?
MC LYTE: I’m not sure. That album is more
street and we are still trying to find the right
distribution for it. We've had offers but none
have been quite right.
KS: How do you
feel about artist such as 50 Cent sampling your
brothers' Gizmo and Milk Dee's record?
MC LYTE: I think it's great!! That's what
Hip-Hop is all about.
KS: Are your
brothers involved in your career?
MC LYTE: They did in the beginning for
sure. They taught me how to practice after
writing a rhyme and how to execute it.
KS: What do you
think about the current state of Hip-Hop?
MC LYTE: I think it's in dire need of a
face-lift. It needs balance, it needs more
women on the microphone. The way it is now, it
would be fine if there weren't any women on the
face of the earth, but there are, so they need
to be recognized in a respectable fashion.
KS: You were
Shar Jackson's Mentor for the MTV Show Celebrity
Rap; will you be doing more reality television?
MC LYTE: Not sure, that show made sense in
order for me to be involved (in it). The other
reality shows seem to be making a mockery out of
people's lives.
KS: Do you
think that female MC's of today get any respect?
MC LYTE: Not enough!
KS: You have
had so many hits. Many found you to be a role
model, while MC LYTE was fly, you represented
being a lady. You didn't have to portray
yourself as sleazy. You knew how to dish it and
prove to the fellas that you were as strong as
they are. How did the song Paper Thin come
about? That's a mandatory spin on any
mix.
MC LYTE: I wrote with no music. Later on
down the line, I let King of Chill hear it and
he hooked up a beat for me and the rest is
history.
KS: What has
she been working on since Half and Half went off
the air?
MC LYTE: I've been working on lots, but for
now my focus is Almost September, getting the
project finished and hitting the road.
KS: In the
Haunting Video for your classic, Poor Georgie,
you dealt with serious issues and you wanted
your fans to know there were consequences for
making poor decisions. Are you still an
activist?
MC Lyte: Poor Georgie died of a car
accident, yes; I'm still active with my
humanitarian efforts.
KS: Being
honored on Hip-Hop Honors… how did that make you
feel?
MC LYTE: I think it was well over due.
KS: A lot of
fellas want to know if you are single, or if you
have children.
MC LYTE: Being honored was Great!!!! Yes!
I am single and no I don't have any children.
KS: Speaking of
children, I wanted a MC LYTE Doll and I still
want one. Do you see yourself going in that
direction of marketing for children? Old School
Dolls or products. I still have my Yo! MTV rap
cards. There is a big market for it.
MC LYTE: Yeah! that would be nice.
KS: Are you ghostwriting and producing?
MC LYTE: No
KS: What is the
best company a new song writer should register
their lyrics with?
MC LYTE: I myself am with ASCAP but it's
all a matter of choice.
KS: What advice
do you give to anyone interested in becoming a
MC.?
MC LYTE: Trust we know the difference
between a rap star and a MC. You are a MC.
Give it your best and never settle. Push
yourself to talk about things (that) no one else
is talking about.
KS: Who are
your friends? Are they Hollywood or do you still
kick it with people from your childhood?
MC LYTE: Some of my friends are in the biz
and some are not.
KS: What music
do you have in heavy rotation?
MC LYTE: Kanye, Jill Scott and Common.
NEW GROUP, NEW
HEAT, NEW FLAVOR
IT’S “BEAUTIFUL"
ALMOST SEPTEMBER
https://www.myspace.com/almostseptember
http://www.MC-LYTE.COM
https://www.myspace.com/mclyte
Kamah Alicia Scott
Freelance writer
www.kas.mysite.com
"Kima"
Always ask, somebody might say yes
www.myspace.com/urbanbookwriter
Center
Stage magazine
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