MC Lyte Explains How LL COOL J & Nas Led To Her Comeback

MC Lyte is again like she by no means left—just because she actually by no means did. This time she returns with new bars, a brand new sound with new crew. Her newest music (and first since 2021), “Girl,” options Huge Daddy Kane and Salt from Salt-N-Pepa. She reveals that the music was created in collaboration with Grammy Award-winning producer Warryn Campbell and is about empowering Black ladies and different ladies of coloration. MC Lyte has extra in retailer, together with an album that includes artists comparable to Q-Tip, Anthony Hamilton, Ghostface and extra.

AllHipHop: You’ve this new music out, “Girl,” with Huge Daddy Kane and Salt from Salt-N-Pepa. It’s an excellent file, a really feel good file. What prompted it and in addition how was it working with two different royal members of Hip-Hop?

MC Lyte: I’m working with Warryn Campbell proper now, multi Grammy Award-winning producer, performs each instrument, melody, high line lyrics. He’s a wealth of information and very gifted. Warryn and I shaped a brother-sister relationship as soon as Heavy D handed. Heavy was form of our connection. And every time I’d go to Heavy within the studio, who else could be there however Warryn? After which additionally Warryn was on the A&R crew at Elektra East West after I was with a serious file label. And so we shaped a bond. I’m additionally a member of his church, California Worship Middle.

AllHipHop: I picked that up on his Instagram by the best way. I used to be like, “Oh shoot, bro is a preacher.”

MC Lyte: And he will get busy. And so for me, being in a studio with him has been such an invigorating course of, as a result of the one factor that’s needed for me to convey to the desk is reality. And I don’t should placed on airs. I’m not the identical lady who rapped “Ruffneck.” And so it simply so occurs that Huge Daddy Kane and Raheem DeVaughn, who does the hook, have been on the town in Los Angeles and we’re associates. So I’m speaking to Kane, I’m like, “I’m right here. Come by the studio.” Similar factor with Raheem. We did two different songs as effectively.

AllHipHop: What about Salt?

MC Lyte: Salt-N-Pepa, all-time favorites for me, proper? I’ve listened to all of them the best way from “Showstoppers” after they dissed Doug E. Recent and Slick Rick.

AllHipHop: Proper?

MC Lyte: God, who would have had the gall to do that after “La-Di-Da-Di“? So in any case, being a giant fan of Salt’s, we’re additionally associates. We’ve been speaking about doing a file collectively, which by the best way, we even have one other file collectively. So we did that one first, nevertheless it was like, “You understand what? You need to get down on this?” And after we performed it for her, she was like, “Oh, yeah, say much less.” And so she blessed us. We have now a video, however the humorous factor is we needed to go to them to get their components. And so within the video, Salt and Kane don’t seem collectively as a result of they weren’t in the identical place on the identical time. However they love one another the identical.

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AllHipHop: What kind of kickstarted this burning want?

MC Lyte: My first supervisor mentioned to me many, a few years in the past, we’re going to construct your profession in order that it isn’t depending on a success music. And so actually that’s what I’ve been doing, is doing every part else that I like to do as soon as leaving a serious was essential in order that I’d be completely satisfied. Additionally earnings. Let me determine many alternative earnings streams. And so with performing and voiceovers and all of these issues, I used to be in a position to do it. With regards to Hip-Hop, I’ve labored with so many producers. I’ve obtained tracks from our beloved Chucky Thompson. I’ve obtained about six or seven songs from him. I’ve labored with LT Hutton, I’ve obtained songs from him and Nephew and Polo. And I’ve simply been world wide producing tracks with producers which have by no means been heard earlier than. Nevertheless, I additionally needed to get linked with what’s my message nonetheless? What’s it that I need to say to individuals? And most lately, I sat with LL [COOL J] for a fireplace chat for main ladies to search out, and he mentioned to me, “I obtained new music popping out.” I used to be like, “Oh, that’s nice. So how was that course of?” He mentioned, “However what about you? Cease being scared, put out some music.” And I used to be like, “Ooh, why you gotta use these phrases?” Anytime someone says you scared, it’s like, “What?”

You bought to place your S in your chest and go. After which in fact, Nas, he provides a name out to all individuals of the late ’80s, early ’90s. I slipped in on the finish of the ’80s, however plenty of my success got here from the ’90s And so he’s identical to, “The place y’all at? Drop some music.” We need to complain or speak about or reference what is occurring now and maybe being sad with it, which by the best way, I’m exempt. I’m a DJ, so I take heed to every part, and I discovered new methods to get linked with music and the lyrical prowess that comes from a younger MC. So for me, I simply needed to take the problem, which by the best way, Warryn and I’ve been engaged on this file on and off earlier than the pandemic.

AllHipHop: Wow.

MC Lyte: So “Girl,” fairly frankly, was completed in 2018.

AllHipHop: To start with, to be challenged by LL COOL J and Nas, that’s obtained to a lightweight of fireside in you.

MC Lyte: Yeah, nevertheless it was so large brotherly. It was like, “Cease being scared, put out some new music.” And I don’t know that I used to be scared a lot as frightened about the fitting timing. As a result of I don’t need to do it simply to do it. I need to have some pores and skin within the recreation and actually have one thing to say. And also you need to be heard and also you don’t care who hears it.

AllHipHop: Superior. Nice to listen to. What would you say is a key to your longevity? I like seeing you, Nas, D-Good, LL… Gen X is sort of loopy proper now when it comes to actually evolving.

MC Lyte: I don’t consider that it’s one reply. I feel that it’s a number of. And a type of by far is having a base, having the ability to floor myself. And that’s simply with a crew of individuals that actually perceive who I’m, can perceive the extent of creativity. And even my dialog as a result of I can go bing, bing, bing, bing far and wide. And for those who’re with the improper set of individuals, they might simply have a look at you such as you’re loopy and by no means perform what it’s that you’ve imaginative and prescient for. However fortunate for me, I’ve the best crew that may assist me and assist facilitate these issues. After which additionally understanding that the mission is way greater than Lyte.

AllHipHop: So I’ve to ask you this, and that is one thing that’s very cliche, however how do you’re feeling about Hip-Hop?

MC Lyte: I really feel sufficient about it that I’m able to get again within the leap rope and do some Double Dutch a little bit bit. I really feel prefer it’s all of us taking duty. It’s AllHipHop persevering with to do what it does. Additionally, actually nonetheless sustaining the ability in order that if MC Lyte reaches out to Chuck and says, “Hey, I obtained one thing new coming,” you’ll be able to readily say, “Let’s go.” Some platforms have misplaced their energy, and even when they nonetheless have it, they select to make use of it in the best way that large mainstream says we use it. And so, I like Hip-Hop, that’ll by no means change.