First Album Released After 9 Years

Hip-hop trailblazer MC Lyte has officially returned to her music career after taking a hiatus.

On Friday, Lyte released her 9th studio album. 1/1. Executive produced by Grammy winner Warryn Campbell, the project features an impressive cast of cultural icons including Stevie Wonder, Queen Latifah, Cheryl “Salt” James, Mary Mary, Big Daddy Kane, Q-Tip, Ghostface Killah, Common, Raheem DeVaughn and more.

Lyte joins the league of hip-hop legends who are making a return to their signature stance in 2024. This year has seen a slew of new releases from artists like LL Cool J, Rakim, Common, and Pete Rock. Based on observations, MC Lyte appears to be one of the few female MCs of her era, if not the only female MC, to release a full-blown project in 2024.

In an exclusive interview over breakfast at Junior’s on 42nd Street last month, the “Woman” MC shared that hip-hop’s 50th anniversary last year validated the strong demand and space for hip-hop legends, or rather old-school artists, in today’s music scene.

“People were there,” Lyte said. “We really felt like we understood a lot of the generations that had been affected by what we’d been doing for years, and it was like, ‘Oh, they want to see us!’ So, I think we might have somehow missed that — LL never did that, so he devoted all his time and energy and himself to Rock The Bells Radio — because there’s an audience there.

“I think everyone independently felt like it was time for this, and maybe last year was a testament to that,” Lyte continued. “With hip-hop’s 50th anniversary and the advent of LL Cool J’s reinterpretation of backspin, Shake the Bells Radio, we’ve all been touring a lot in the last year. Shake the Bells festival, Shake the Bells journey and some dates Tour de force“

Lyte announces upcoming album during Rock the Bells radio show Here is the Partner with hip-hop pioneers MC Sha Rock and Grandmaster Caz. 1/1 His first solo album in 9 years Myth In 2015.

It’s safe to say that this album is a prime example of what adult female rap sounds like. There’s no self-proclaimed tasteful mechanics that a girl theorizes are a proposition, or bragging about material gains like money and designer fashion. On the track “Woman,” in particular, R&B singer Raheem DeVaughn delivers the chorus, while Cheryl “Salt” James (Salt-N-Pepa) and Big Daddy Kane add verses that pay powerful tribute to black women, celebrating their majestic presence and undeniable power.

“I never just wanted some respect/And I wanted to see the reflection of love in your eyes/Never looked for a handout or a check/Just a humble soul looking for a real connection,” Lyte raps, crystallizing the definition of adult female rap.

Fans of hip-hop’s golden era will be captivated by Salt-N-Pepa’s Salt’s evolution of rapping skills, a performance that exudes the class and sophistication that are hallmarks of the legendary artist’s signature style.

“Salt, of course, even before I was MC Lyte, I would sing all of his lyrics when we were rehearsing,” MC Lyte said. “And he’s a friend of mine; we go to the same church. He just moved to Cali. It’s easy. It’s like, hey, we’re working in the studio, I want you to come over. He comes in, hears ‘Woman’ — at that point, Kane and Raheem were already on it — and says, ‘Oh, I want in on that.’ So we actually shortened my verse, shortened Kane’s verse, and put it right there.”

Stevie Wonder delivers a stirring performance on “Change Your Ways” with Common, delivering a soulful hook with lines like “My brothers’ keeper, I reach out to my sisters,” while Common’s signature lyrics shine.

Q-Tip also adds nostalgia to the album by giving MC Lyte a taste of his signature A Tribe Called Quest sound on the track “Kick Back Relax.”

“For ‘Kick Back Relax,’ it sounds like a classic Tribe song, and so I thought, wow, Q-Tip would fit right in on this song. And, you know, also, I could reach out—hey, I need this—and literally, the next day, he sent it,” Lyte recalls.

Mary Mary and Muni Long team up on “Thank You,” a rousing anthem about overcoming adversity and the power of praise in difficult times that highlights Lyte’s seasoned perspective. Gospel-inspired vocals enhance the track’s uplifting spirit, showcasing Lyte’s evolution as both an MC and a thoughtful storyteller. The music video is clearly inspired by Lyte’s iconic 1991 single “Poor Georgie,” and features the Brooklyn native on the New York City MTA subway, incorporating elements of hip-hop rap.

The album also taps into Lyte’s Brooklyn roots, particularly on the DJ Scratch-produced track about the struggles of chasing your dreams, delivering a hard, raw energy that perfectly complements Lyte’s iconic flow. Lyte teams up with legendary hip-hop producer Easy Mo Bee for the first time, bringing in veteran producer Nottz Da Ruler alongside emerging talent Koncept. In a full circle moment, Lyte reunites with King of Chill, who helped produce her 1988 debut album. Rock Like Lyte.

A highlight is “King King,” featuring Queen Latifah, a throwback to Lyte’s classic storytelling style that’s reminiscent of “Cappucino.” Both queens tackle their adult situations with a mix of self-awareness and empowerment. Lyte’s chemistry with Ghostface Killah is undeniable on the appropriately braggadocious “Gritty.” Ghost’s explosive verses advocate for hip-hop pioneers to own their masters, reminding listeners that this is about more than just the music, it’s about securing the legacy of hip-hop pioneers. The track also features Lil Mama and the helms, a constant co-sign of Lyte’s Harlem rapper’s lyrical prowess.

“These aren’t people that are easy for me to get, they’re people that I actually admire,” MC Lyte said. “I love Ghostface’s flow because he’s out of the box. I love Common’s voice and I love his poetic style of rapping. I’ve loved everything he’s done with Toni (Braxton) since the ’90s.”

“I think Muni is probably the most modern guy out there, and that’s because we have a mutual respect for each other,” Lyte continued. “I said, ‘Hey, you want to touch on something?’ He said, ‘Yeah,’ and he kept going. And then, of course, Lil Mama, who’s probably the youngest, on the Ghostface Killah song. And I’m a fan of Mama; I think she’s one of the best rappers in New York City. We just don’t get to hear from her enough, but I love her flow.”

In our interview, MC Lyte revealed that the second part of the album, featuring Toni Braxton, Slick Rick, Anthony Hamilton, and more, is coming soon. This return to the booth allows Lyte to bring her musical visions to life and curate the quality sound that classic hip-hop deserves.

“We all realized right away, ‘Let’s put some music out.’ And I remember (Big Daddy) Kane saying to me, ‘I’m doing this because you’re doing it.’ So it’s like everyone’s hearing, ‘Oh, blah blah blah… we’re from the same era, I’m going to do something.’ It’s something that lives inside of us. I’ve always been making records, but this is the first time in a long time that I’m going to put the energy into putting music out.”