Editing MC Lyte (section)

==Musical career==
=== Beginnings: ''Lyte as a Rock'' and ''Eyes on This'' (1987–1990) ===
In 1987, at the age of 16,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://genius.com/Mc-lyte-i-cram-to-understand-u-lyrics#about |title=I Cram To Understand U - MC Lyte |website=[[Genius (website)|Genius]] |access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref> Lyte released her debut single, "[[I Cram to Understand U (Sam)]]", being one of the first songs written about the [[Crack epidemic in the United States|crack era]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/mc-lyte-the-very-best-of-mc-lyte-2495972448.html |title=MC Lyte: The Very Best of MC Lyte |website=[[PopMatters]] |date=September 3, 2001 |access-date=May 23, 2020}}</ref> She was 12 years old at the time she wrote the song.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://medium.com/micro-chop/mc-lyte-was-12-when-she-wrote-i-cram-to-understand-you-cd42e369661d |title=MC Lyte Was 12 When She Wrote "I Cram To Understand U" |website=[[Medium (website)|medium.com]] |date=December 4, 2016 |access-date=May 19, 2020}}</ref>

[[File:Firehouse Studios 1988.JPG|thumb|MC Lyte in 1988 at Firehouse Studios in Brooklyn with her producers Gizmo, Milk D and King of Chill and engineer Yoram Vazan.]]
In April 1988<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1988/BB-1988-04-16.pdf/|title=Billboard Album Reviews|date=April 16, 1988}}</ref> she released her debut album ''[[Lyte as a Rock]]''.<ref name=clip /> In addition to "I Cram to Understand U (Sam)" were released as singles "[[Paper Thin (MC Lyte song)|Paper Thin]]", the eponymous "[[Lyte as a Rock (song)|Lyte as a Rock]]", and "[[10% Dis]]", a [[Diss (music)|diss track]] to then-[[Hurby Azor]] associate [[Antoinette (rapper)|Antoinette]].<ref name=clip /> The album peaked #50 on the then [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|''Billboard'' Top Black Albums]]. Despite not having a great commercial performance, it is considered one of the best and most important rap albums, both in the 80s and in history.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/www.nme.com/photos/25-albums-that-changed-hip-hop-forever-1414444%3famp |website=[[Complex Networks (media)|NME]].com |date=October 4, 2018 |access-date=May 19, 2020 |title= 25 Albums That Changed Hip-Hop Forever}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/50-greatest-rap-albums-1980s/ |website=[[Complex Networks (media)|Complex]] |date=August 5, 2013 |access-date=May 20, 2020 |title= The Best Rap Albums of the '80s}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-200-best-albums-of-the-1980s/?page=3 |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |date=September 10, 2018 |access-date=May 20, 2020 |title= The 200 Best Albums of the 1980s}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/source.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630175156/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/source.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-date=June 30, 2012 |website=rocklistmusic.com 
|access-date=May 20, 2020 |title= The Source: 100 Best Rap Albums}}</ref> In 1988, [[The Village Voice]] magazine rated Lyte as "the best female vocalist in hip-hop".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-1988-11-26-2662243-story,amp.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724020309/https://www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-1988-11-26-2662243-story,amp.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 24, 2021 |title=Brooklyn's M.C. Lyte Raps It Like It Is On The Street |website=The Morning Call |date=November 26, 1988 |access-date=October 31, 2020 }}</ref> Lyte was featured in the remix and music video of "[[I Want Your (Hands on Me)]]" by Irish singer [[Sinéad O'Connor]], which debuted in May 1988 on [[MTV]].

In January 1989, Lyte joined the [[Stop the Violence Movement]] with [[Boogie Down Productions]], [[Public Enemy (band)|Public Enemy]] and [[Heavy D]], among others. Together they released the single "[[Self Destruction (song)|Self Destruction]]" in response to violence in the hip hop and African American communities. The song debuted at #1 on the first week of [[Hot Rap Songs|''Billboard'' Hot Rap Singles]] existence<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/archive/charts/1989/rap-song|title=Hot Rap Songs – 1989 Archive – Billboard Charts Archive|website=Billboard.com|access-date=June 24, 2021}}</ref> and the proceeds were donated to the [[National Urban League]].<ref name="Okayplayer">{{cite web|url=https://www.okayplayer.com/music/the-making-krs-one-stop-the-violence-movements-self-destruction-single-89.html|title=How Stop The Violence Movement's "Self Destruction" Became One of the Most Important Rap Releases|publisher=[[Okayplayer]]|date=January 15, 2019|access-date=December 29, 2019}}</ref> In late August 1989, her song "[[I'm Not Havin' It]]" with [[Positive K]] entered the ''Billboard'' Hot Rap Singles, peaking at #16, becoming MC Lyte's first appearance on a chart as solo artist. In October 1989, Lyte published her second album ''[[Eyes on This]]''. This album, like its predecessor, received a great critical reception and is recognized as a hip hop classic.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thesource.com/2019/09/12/mc-lyte-sophomore-lp/ |website=[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]] |date=September 12, 2019 |access-date=May 19, 2020 |title=Today in Hip-Hop History: MC Lyte Drops Her Sophomore 'Eyes On This' LP 30 Years Ago |archive-date=August 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814022713/https://thesource.com/2019/09/12/mc-lyte-sophomore-lp/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> 

With ''[[Eyes on This]]'' she became the first solo female rapper to have an entry on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]. From this album came the singles "[[Cha Cha Cha (MC Lyte song)|Cha Cha Cha]]", the first time as solo artist she charted on the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|''Billboard'' Hot Black Singles]] and reached #1 on the Hot Rap Singles. "[[Stop, Look, Listen (MC Lyte song)|Stop, Look, Listen]]", and the [[Political hip hop#Conscious hip hop|socially conscious]] "[[Cappucino (song)|Cappucino]]". In 1989 she also collaborated with [[Foster & McElroy]], known for their work with [[En Vogue]] and [[Tony! Toni! Toné!]], in the song "Dr. Soul". This single peaked #10 on ''Billboard'' Black Songs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/www.okayplayer.com/music/what-were-the-first-rap-rb-collaborations.html |website=[[Okayplayer]] |date= |access-date=June 9, 2022 |title=Ten Songs From the Late '80s that Kicked Off R&B & Rap Collaborations}}</ref>

In 1990, MC Lyte performed at [[Carnegie Hall]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/www.theroot.com/carnegie-hall-goes-black-1790869003/|publisher=theroot.com|date=April 3, 2009|access-date=May 19, 2020|title=Carnegie Hall Goes Black}}</ref>

MC Lyte's DJ since the start of her career, DJ K-Rock, is a cousin, Kennith Moorer. Aside from a break in 1992, the two have toured consistently to the present.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.al.com/entertainment/2018/02/first_priority_how_a_legendary.html|title=Alabama man is a legendary DJ -- and a postal worker|date=February 23, 2018|website=Al.com|access-date=June 24, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fox10tv.com/news/local-mail-carrier-is-actually-a-legendary-dj/article_7118ccf2-e98e-598d-8a8d-6daf17d7594c.html|title=Local mail carrier is actually a legendary DJ|first=Toi|last=Thornton|website=FOX10 News|access-date=June 24, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.okayplayer.com/music/mc-lyte-lyte-as-a-rock-interview.html|title=MC Lyte Speaks on the Legacy of Her Iconic Debut 'Lyte as a Rock' [INTERVIEW]|date=November 29, 2018|website=Okayplayer.com|access-date=June 24, 2021}}</ref> During that time she also had her own dancers, Leg One and Leg Two, who performed with her in shows and in music videos.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mauludsadiq.medium.com/where-d-the-dancers-go-or-cholly-atkins-ain-t-choreograph-yo-steps-why-you-dance-like-that-d9ab609f59f6|publisher=[[Medium (website)|medium.com]]|date=October 17, 2015|access-date=December 10, 2020|title=The Rise and Fall of Hip-Hop Dance}}</ref>

=== 1991–1995: ''Act Like You Know'' and ''Ain't No Other'' ===
In May 1991, Lyte performed on "Yo! Unplugged Rap", the first [[MTV Unplugged]] to feature rap artists, alongside [[A Tribe Called Quest]], [[De La Soul]] and [[LL Cool J]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ozy.com/good-sht/when-hip-hop-plugged-into-unplugged/33599/ |title=When Hip-Hop Plugged Into 'Unplugged' |website=TV OZY |date=September 23, 2014 |access-date=May 19, 2020 |archive-date=June 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618094157/https://www.ozy.com/good-sht/when-hip-hop-plugged-into-unplugged/33599/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Her performance was praised by [[Entertainment Weekly]]'s [[Ken Tucker]], who commented, "MC Lyte performed her song 'Cappucino' like a rapping [[Aretha Franklin]]: Lyte brought out the soul in her lyrics."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.google.com/ew.com/article/1991/05/24/unplugged-10/%3famp=true |title=Unplugged |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] (website) |date= May 24, 1991|access-date=February 10, 2021}}</ref> In September 1991, Lyte released her third album, ''[[Act Like You Know (MC Lyte album)|Act Like You Know]]'', which incorporated a softer [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]/[[New Jack Swing]] sound across some of the tracks.<ref>{{cite web|title=MC Lyte – Act Like You Know|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/act-like-you-know-mw0000272569}}</ref> 

This release received more mixed reviews than her previous albums and commercially it performed more weakly than its predecessor,  ''Eyes on This''. From this album came the singles "[[When in Love]]" and the socially conscious "[[Poor Georgie]]" (Lyte's first entry on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] and her third #1 on the Hot Rap Singles) and "[[Eyes Are the Soul]]".
In 1991 she also participated in the socially conscious single "Heal Yourself" by the collective "HEAL Human Education Against Lies", which included [[Big Daddy Kane]], [[Boogie Down Productions]], [[Run-DMC]], [[Queen Latifah]] and LL Cool J.

Between 1991 and 1992, Lyte participated in ''"The Greatest Rap Show Ever"'' concert held at [[Madison Square Garden]] with Public Enemy, [[Naughty by Nature]], Queen Latifah, [[Geto Boys]] and [[DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince]], among others.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://andscape.com/features/the-20-greatest-hip-hop-tours-of-all-time/ |title=The 20 greatest hip-hop tours of all time |website=[[Andscape]] |date=June 14, 2019 |access-date=December 10, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://rocktourdatabase.com/concerts/worlds-greatest-rap-show-0 |title=The World's Greatest Rap Show |website=rocktourdatabase.com |access-date=December 10, 2020}}</ref> In the fall of 1991, she performed in the hip-hop special ''[[Dee Barnes|Sisters In The Name of Rap]]'' alongside [[Salt-N-Pepa]], [[Yo-Yo (rapper)|Yo-Yo]], Queen Latifah and [[Roxanne Shanté]], among many others. It was recorded at the Ritz in NYC as a [[pay-per-view]] TV concert and released on [[VHS]] in 1992.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=April 24, 1992|title=Sisters in the Name of Rap|url=http://www.ew.com/article/1992/04/24/sisters-name-rap|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=10 December 2020}}</ref>

In October 1992, as part of the [[Mo' Money (soundtrack)|Mo Money soundtrack]], MC Lyte collaborated with [[Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis]], known primarily for their work with [[Janet Jackson]], on the single "[[Ice Cream Dream]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theboombox.com/yall-musta-forgot-the-dopeness-of-the-mo-money-soundtrack/|title=Y'all Musta Forgot: The Dopeness of the 'Mo' Money' Soundtrack |website=[[Townsquare Media|The Boombox]] |date=August 4, 2017|accessdate=July 29, 2021}}</ref> In 1992 she performed on [[Kris Kross]]'s ''Back to School Jam'' tour, which featured A Tribe Called Quest and [[Fu-Schnickens]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1992-11-06-9202270895-story.html |title=Kriss Kross Misses The Bus at Sunrise |website=[[Sun-Sentinel]] |date=November 6, 1992 |access-date=January 27, 2023}}</ref>

In 1992, Lyte began work on her next album, titled ''[[Ain't No Other]]'', which was released on June 22, 1993. With a more [[Hardcore hip hop|hardcore]] hip hop sound, Lyte achieved better critical reception than her prior album. "[[Ruffneck (song)|Ruffneck]]" was released as a single,<ref name=clip /> which became her first top 40 single on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, peaking at #35, and fourth #1 on the Hot Rap Singles, also earning her first [[gold certification]]. With "Ruffneck", MC Lyte would had a nomination for the [[36th Annual Grammy Awards|36th edition]] of the [[Grammy Awards]] in the [[Best Rap Solo Performance]] category. In October 1993, Lyte performed at the ''1993 Budweiser Superfest'' with [[SWV]], [[Bell Biv Devoe]], [[LeVert]], Big Daddy Kane and [[Silk (group)|Silk]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.concertarchives.org/concerts/budweiser-superfest-25f45ab9-4810-46d4-b160-8a1ddb1cb63d|title=Bell Biv Devoe / Big Daddy Kane / SWV / Silk / LeVert / MC Lyte / Tag Team |website=concertarchives.org |date=|accessdate=June 11, 2022}}</ref>

In May 1994, MC Lyte performed in the finale of ''[[The Arsenio Hall Show]]'', alongside [[KRS-One]], [[Wu-Tang Clan]], Naughty by Nature, [[Guru (rapper)|Guru]] of [[Gang Starr]], Yo-Yo, [[Das EFX]] and A Tribe Called Quest, among others.<ref>{{cite web|title=Here's The Story Behind The All-Star Cypher That Ended The Arsenio Hall Show|url=https://ambrosiaforheads.com/2019/05/arsenio-hall-show-hip-hop-freestyle-cypher-finale-history-video/|publisher=ambrosiaforheads.com|date=23 May 2019  |access-date=28 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Queen Latifah Produced "Surprise" Segment On The Last "Aresenio Hall Show" And It's Hip-Hop History|date=March 22, 2018 |url=https://foxync.com/3579685/queen-latifah-produced-surprise-segment-on-the-last-aresenio-hall-show-and-its-hip-hop-history/|publisher=Foxy 107.1-104.3|access-date=28 March 2021}}</ref> In June, she collaborated with [[Ice Cube]], Public Enemy's [[Chuck D]] and [[Ice-T]] on Public Enemy's [[Terminator X]] album ''[[Super Bad (Terminator X album)|Super Bad]]''. In the middle of 1994 she collaborated with [[Janet Jackson]] on the single remix and music video for "[[You Want This]]", peaking at #8 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and earning a nomination for Music Video of the Year at the 2th edition of the [[Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards]]. In the summer of '94 she participated in Janet Jackson's [[Janet World Tour]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Mc Lyte|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/literature-and-arts/film-and-television-biographies/mc-lyte|publisher=[[Encyclopedia.com]]|access-date=22 December 2020}}</ref>

In early 1995, she collaborated with Queen Latifah and Yo-Yo on the remix of [[Brandy Norwood|Brandy]]'s top 10 single "[[I Wanna Be Down]]", earning a nomination at the [[1995 MTV Video Music Awards|12th edition]] of the [[MTV Video Music Award]] in the [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video|Best Rap Video]] category. In April 1995 she collaborated alongside [[Meshell Ndegeocello]], [[Patra (singer)|Patra]], Yo-Yo, Latifah, [[Salt-N-Pepa]] and [[TLC (band)|TLC]]'s [[Lisa Lopes|'' Left Eye '' Lopes]] in the rap remix of "[[Freedom (Theme from Panther)|Freedom]]" on the ''[[Panther (film)|Panther]]'' movie [[Panther (film)#soundtrack|soundtrack]]<ref name=z>{{cite web|url=https://zora.medium.com/the-true-story-behind-freedom-the-peak-black-girl-song-of-the-1990s-13119055c8e|publisher=ZORA|date=May 21, 2020|access-date=May 22, 2020|title=The True Story Behind 'Freedom,' the Peak Black Girl Song of the 1990s}}</ref>  In June, she performed at the ''Jam for Peace'' with [[Warren G]], [[Mary J. Blige]], [[Brownstone (group)|Brownstone]], [[Adina Howard]], [[Montell Jordan]] and [[Soul for Real]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.concertarchives.org/concerts/jam-for-peace|title=Jam for Peace |website=concertarchives.org |date=|accessdate=June 11, 2022}}</ref> In 1995 she also collaborated with [[Lin Que]] on the remix of Mary J. Blige's "[[You Bring Me Joy (Mary J. Blige song)|You Bring Me Joy]]".

=== 1996–1998: ''Bad as I Wanna B'' and ''Seven & Seven'' ===
[[File:M.C. Lyte 1996.jpg|thumb|MC Lyte, 1996]] 

In February 1996, MC Lyte collaborated on the R&B group [[Xscape (group)|Xscape]]'s single "[[Can't Hang/Do You Want To|Can't Hang]]". In February she also collaborated with [[Lord Finesse]] on the interlude "Taking It Lyte" from his album ''[[The Awakening (Lord Finesse album)|The Awakening]]''. In March, after signing with [[East West Records]], she released "[[Keep On Keepin' On (MC Lyte song)|Keep On Keepin' On]]", the first single from her forthcoming album. This new collaboration with Xscape reached #10 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, her highest position on this chart as main artist, getting a gold certification. "Keep On Keepin' On" was part of the [[Sunset Park (soundtrack)|soundtrack]] of the film ''[[Sunset Park (film)|Sunset Park]]''. In September, she won the Best R&B, Soul or Rap Video category in the 3th edition of [[Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards]] with this song.<ref>{{cite book|last=Reynolds|first=J.R.|date=1996|title=Billboard 21 Sep. 1996|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wwkEAAAAMBAJ&dq=lady+of+soul+soul+train+mc+lyte+best+video&pg=PA29|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|page=29|isbn=}}</ref> 

In August 1996, Lyte released her fifth album, ''[[Bad as I Wanna B]]''. With tracks with a [[Pop music|Pop]]/R&B-oriented sound<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theboombox.com/5-best-songs-from-mc-lytes-bad-as-i-wanna-b/|title=5 Best Songs from MC Lyte's 'Bad As I Wanna B' |website=[[Townsquare Media|The Boombox]] |date=August 27, 2016|accessdate=June 11, 2022}}</ref> the album received mixed reviews. In November, she released a [[Sean "Puffy" Combs]] remix of "[[Cold Rock a Party]]" featuring [[Missy Elliott]].<ref name= clip /> This single peaked at #11 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and became her fifth #1 single on the Hot Rap Singles (fourth as lead artist), earning a gold certification. It entered the top 40 of various charts outside the United States, being #1 and certified [[Music recording certification|platinum]] in [[Recorded Music NZ|New Zealand]].<ref>{{cite web|title=OFFICIAL TOP 40 SINGLES|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/singles/1997-07-04|publisher=[[Recorded Music NZ|The Official New Zealand Music Chart]] |access-date=6 February 2023}}</ref>

In February 1997, "Keep on Pushin" was included in the [[Dangerous Ground (soundtrack)|soundtrack]] of ''[[Dangerous Ground (1997 film)|Dangerous Ground]]'', in which MC Lyte, [[Bahamadia]], [[Nonchalant]] and Yo-Yo collaborated under the production of [[Pete Rock]].<ref>{{cite web|title=MC Lyte, Bahamadia & Yo-Yo's Pete Rock-Produced Cut Still Speaks Today (Audio)|url=https://ambrosiaforheads.com/2018/01/mc-lyte-bahamadia-nonchalant-yo-yo-pete-rock-song/|publisher=ambrosiaforheads.com|date=January 11, 2018 |access-date=13 June 2022}}</ref> In March 1997, she collaborated with [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] singer [[Billy Lawrence]] on the single "[[Come On (Billy Lawrence song)|Come On]]", which was included in the soundtrack of the movie ''[[Set It Off (film)#Music|Set it Off]]''. In June and July 1997, she embarked on a [[United Service Organizations|USO]] Tour, performing for American troops in Italy and Greece.<ref name=Hess>{{cite book|last=Hess|first=Mickey|date=2009|title=Hip Hop in America: A Regional Guide|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XkCncJ7j744C&q=USO+Tour&pg=PA84|publisher=Greenwood|page=84|isbn=978-0313343216}}</ref> 

In November she collaborated with LL Cool J and [[Busta Rhymes]] on the [[Levert.Sweat.Gill|debut album]] of the R&B [[supergroup (music)|supergroup]] [[LSG (band)|LSG]] on the track "Curious", which was later released as single. In 1997, Lyte also collaborated with [[Parliament-Funkadelic]]'s [[Bootsy Collins]] on the single "I'm Leavin U (Gotta Go, Gotta Go)" from his album ''[[Fresh Outta 'P' University]]''.

[[File:Mc lyte-05.jpg|thumb|MC Lyte in [[Hamburg]], [[Germany]], 1998]]
In August 1998 MC Lyte released her sixth studio album ''[[Seven & Seven (MC Lyte album)|Seven & Seven]]''. It had a poor commercial and critical reception despite having the collaboration of famous producers and artists such as [[The Neptunes]], LL Cool J, Missy Elliott, [[L.E.S. (record producer)|L.E.S.]] and [[Trackmasters]], which lead to Lyte's departure from EastWest Records. In 1998 she went on another USO Tour, performing in Germany.<ref name=Hess />

=== 1999–2012: Collaborations and releases independently ===
In November 1999, MC Lyte collaborated in the remix of [[Jamming (song)|Jammin]] of [[Bob Marley]] in the remix album ''[[Chant Down Babylon]]''. This track was later released as a single. In November she also collaborated with [[Will Smith]] and [[Tatyana Ali]] on "Who Am I" from Smith's album ''[[Willennium]]''.

In March 2000, MC Lyte collaborated with [[Common (rapper)|Common]] and [[Bilal (American singer)|Bilal]] on the track "A Film Called (Pimp)" on Common's album ''[[Like Water for Chocolate (album)|Like Water for Chocolate]]''.

In September 2001, her first compilation album ''[[The Very Best of MC Lyte]]'' was released.

In April 2002, the soundtrack for the TV series ''[[Dark Angel (American TV series)|Dark Angel]]'' was released, which includes Lyte's songs "Dark Angel Theme", in collaboration with Public Enemy, and "No Dealz", with Ericka Yancey. In May 2002, MC Lyte collaborated with [[Angie Stone]] on the album version of "[[Jam for the Ladies]]" by electronica musician [[Moby]]. In November, she collaborated with [[Erick Sermon]] and [[Rah Digga]] on the track "Tell Me" on Sermon's album ''[[React (Erick Sermon album)|React]]''. During that time Lyte became an honorary member of Sermon and [[Redman (rapper)|Redman]]'s supergroup [[Def Squad]].<ref name="hdd" />

In March 2003, Lyte released the independently produced record ''[[Da Undaground Heat, Vol. 1]]'', featuring [[Jamie Foxx]]. The album had little commercial impact and mixed reviews, but the single "[[Ride Wit Me]]" received a nomination for the [[46th Annual Grammy Awards|46th edition]] of the [[Grammy Awards]] in the [[Grammy Award for Best Female Rap Solo Performance|Best Female Rap Vocal Performance]] category. In June 2003, she teamed the rock group [[Aerosmith]], Public Enemy's [[Chuck D]] and [[Flavor Flav]], Busta Rhymes and [[Phife Dawg]] in the group the Spitballers. Together they released "Let's Get Loud (Everybody Get Up)", which became the opening song of the 11th edition of the  [[ESPY Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/5n772z/for-the-record-quick-news-on-luther-vandross-dmx-chili-peppers-eve-snoop-lance-bass-mest-more|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127223425/https://www.mtv.com/news/5n772z/for-the-record-quick-news-on-luther-vandross-dmx-chili-peppers-eve-snoop-lance-bass-mest-more|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 27, 2023|title=For The Record: Quick News On Luther Vandross, DMX, Chili Peppers, Eve, Snoop, Lance Bass, Mest & More |website=[[MTV]] (website)|date=June 27, 2003 |access-date=January 27, 2023}}</ref> 

In August, Lyte collaborated with [[Beyoncé]], Missy Elliott and [[Free Marie|Free]] on the single "[[Fighting Temptation]]" as part of the soundtrack for [[The Fighting Temptations|the homonymous film]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://slantmagazine.com/music/review/the-fighting-temptations-original-soundtrack/318| url-status=live | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211027/https://slantmagazine.com/music/review/the-fighting-temptations-original-soundtrack/318| archive-date=October 27, 2021|title=The Fighting Temptations Original Soundtrack|first=Ed|last=Gonzalez|website=[[Slant Magazine]]|date=September 14, 2003|access-date=March 22, 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In August, she released the compilation album ''The Shit I Never Dropped'', which includes previously unreleased collaborations with En Vogue's [[Dawn Robinson]], [[Da Brat]], Missy Elliott, Erick Sermon and [[Clipse]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-shit-i-never-dropped-mw0001332459 |website=[[AllMusic]] |date=
|access-date=January 28, 2021 |title= MC Lyte - The Shit I Never Dropped}}</ref> In September, she collaborated with [[Black Eyed Peas]]'s [[will.i.am]] and [[Fergie (singer)|Fergie]] on the track "Mash Out" on will.i.am album ''[[Must B 21]]''.

In May 2004, MC Lyte collaborated with [[Teena Marie]] and Medusa on the song "The Mackin' Game" from Teena Marie's album ''[[La Doña (album)|La Doña]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/la-teena-marie-cash-money-135935367.html |title=La Doña': Teena Marie's Cash Money Comeback Hit |website=[[Yahoo!]] (website) |date= August 19, 2022 |accessdate=February 6, 2023}}</ref> In August, she collaborated with [[Boyz II Men]] on their cover of "[[What You Won't Do for Love (song)|What You Won't Do for Love]]". In 2004, Lyte was nominated at the [[BET Awards 2004|4th edition]] of the [[BET Awards]] in the [[BET Award for Best Female Hip Hop Artist|Best Female Hip Hop Artist]] category.

In 2005, she released two songs produced by [[Richard Wolf (Film & TV composer)|Richard "Wolfie" Wolf]], called "Can I Get It Now" and "Don't Walk Away". MC Lyte's song "My Main Aim" was the title song of the basketball video game ''[[NBA Live 2005]]'' by [[EA Sports]]. In 2005 she collaborated with the Polish-born German producer [[DJ Tomekk]] on the track "Partyverlauf" from his album ''[[Numma Eyns]]''.

In July 2006, MC Lyte released "The Wonder Years" in collaboration with [[DJ Premier]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/check-out-mc-lytes-new-video-for-the-wonder-years-with-dj-premier/|title=Check out MC Lyte's new video for "The Wonder Years" with DJ Premier |website=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL Mag]] (website)|date=July 15, 2006 |access-date=January 27, 2023}}</ref> In October 2006, Lyte was one of the artists honored at the 3th edition of the [[Hip Hop Honors|VH1 Hip Hop Honors]], where she performed with Da Brat, [[Lil' Kim]], Yo-Yo and [[Remy Ma]]. Lyte was the first female solo rapper to achieve this recognition.<ref name="HHH">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1542620/lil-kim-mc-lyte-put-female-mcs-center-stage-at-hip-hop-honors/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029215015/http://www.mtv.com/news/1542620/lil-kim-mc-lyte-put-female-mcs-center-stage-at-hip-hop-honors/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 29, 2020|title=Lil' Kim, MC Lyte Put Female MCs Center Stage at Hip-Hop Honors |website=[[MTV]] (website)|date=October 9, 2006 |access-date=May 24, 2021}}</ref> In 2006, she performed on the ''"Ebony Black Family Reunion Tour"'' along with [[Doug E. Fresh]], [[Slick Rick]], and [[Whodini]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/rwqrnr/where-ya-been-90s-hip-hop-edition-onyx-mc-lyte-rob-base-young-black-teenagers|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128002018/https://www.mtv.com/news/rwqrnr/where-ya-been-90s-hip-hop-edition-onyx-mc-lyte-rob-base-young-black-teenagers|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 28, 2023|title=Where Ya Been? '90s Hip-Hop Edition: Onyx, MC Lyte, Rob Base, Young Black Teenagers |website=[[MTV]] (website)|date=August 24, 2006 |access-date=January 27, 2023}}</ref>

[[File:MC Lyte.jpg|thumb|Lyte at the October 14, 2007 [[BET Hip Hop Awards]]]] 
In 2007, MC Lyte joined [[The Roots]] and Big Daddy Kane on the ''"VH1 Hip Hop Honors Tour"''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/roots-ready-to-rock-the-classics-on-vh1-tour-1049591/|title=In 2007 MC Lyte joined The Roots and Big Daddy Kane on the VH1 Hip Hop Honors tour. |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] (website)|date=August 30, 2007 |access-date=January 27, 2023}}</ref> In July, she performed at the opening of the 25th annual [[Martin Luther King Jr. Concert Series]] in Brooklyn. In July she also performed for first time at the ''[[Essence Music Festival]]'' in New Orleans.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/music/essence-fest-2007-recap/article_c7dd33cb-3fd4-5ce6-9c20-658ff127bf1a.html|title=Essence Fest 2007 recap |website=NOLA.com|date=July 10, 2007 |access-date=February 7, 2023}}</ref> 

In 2007, Lyte released the singles "Mad At Me" and "Money" with KRS-One, the latter part of KRS-One's album ''[[Adventures in Emceein]]''.

In May 2008, as a member of the group ''Almost September'' with Philip "Whitey" White and [[Jared Lee Gosselin]], MC Lyte released ''[[The Almost September EP]]''. This features an [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]/[[Soul music|Soul]] oriented sound.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2009_11_almostsept.html|title=The Almost September EP :: One Records/Neo/Sony |website=RapReviews |date=November 24, 2009 |access-date=January 27, 2023}}</ref> Later she embarked with the group on a tour in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mclytenow.com/hi-lytes/discography-etc/|title=Discography, Etc. |website=mclytenow.com |date= |access-date=January 27, 2023}}</ref> In June, she released the song "Closer", a collaboration with her cousin [[Charles Hamilton (rapper)|Charles Hamilton]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://soulbounce.com/2008/06/charles_hamilton_gets_closer_with_mc_lyte/|title=Charles Hamilton Gets 'Closer' With MC Lyte |website=[[Soul Bounce]] |date=June 18, 2008 |access-date=February 6, 2023}}</ref> In October 2008, she performed "Cha Cha Cha" at the [[2008 BET Hip Hop Awards|3th edition]] of the [[BET Hip Hop Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/www.inquirer.com/philly/phrequency/genres/hip_hop/BET_Hip-Hop_Awards_go_political.html%3foutput |title=BET Hip-Hop Awards go political |website=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer|Philadelphia Inquirer]] |date=October 22, 2008 |access-date=May 16, 2021}}</ref> In December, MC Lyte collaborated with [[Jay-Z]] on "BK Anthem".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/pigeons-and-planes/2008/12/new-jay-z-ft-mc-lyte-bk-anthem|title=New! Jay-Z ft MC Lyte - BK Anthem |website=[[Complex Networks|Complex]] |date=December 8, 2008 |access-date=January 27, 2023}}</ref>

In February 2009, Lyte collaborated with [[India Arie]] on the track "Psalms 23" from her album ''[[Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics]]''. In June 2009, Lyte collaborated again with [[Teena Marie]] on the track "The Pressure" from her album ''[[Congo Square (album)|Congo Square]]''. In 2009, she also released the single with a [[Reggae]]-oriented sound "Brooklyn".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://soulbounce.com/2009/06/mc_lyte_takes_us_to_brooklyn/|title=MC Lyte Takes Us To 'Brooklyn' |website=[[Soul Bounce]] |date=June 11, 2009 |access-date=February 3, 2023}}</ref>

In December 2010, she performed on the concert/TV Special ''[[VH1 Divas#VH1 Divas Salute The Troops|VH1 Divas Salute The Troops]]'', which also featured [[Nicki Minaj]], [[Katy Perry]], [[Keri Hilson]], and [[Heart (band)|Heart]].

In 2011, MC Lyte performed again at the ''Essence Music Festival''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.essence.com/photos/2011-essence-music-festival-lineup/#272190|title=2011 Essence Music Festival Lineup |website=[[Essence (magazine)|Essence]] (website) |date=October 29, 2020 |access-date=February 7, 2023}}</ref> and released the single "Dada da Da".

In March 2012, she collaborated with Grammy-winning singer [[Macy Gray]] on the interlude "Really (Skit)" from her album ''[[Covered (Macy Gray album)|Covered]]''. In 2012, she released the single "Dopestyle" and her own [[Mobile app]] ''MC Lyte App'', where she published her exclusive musical releases.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mclytenow.com/mc-lyte-app/|title=MC Lyte App |website=mclytenow.com |access-date=February 6, 2023}}</ref>

=== 2013–present: ''Legend'' and following projects ===

In January 2013, MC Lyte received a Lifetime Achievement Award at [[Russell Simmons]]'s Hip Hop Inaugural Ball.<ref name="ib">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/2-chainz-john-legend-mc-lyte-honored-at-hip-hop-inaugural-ball-1516384/ |title=2 Chainz, John Legend, MC Lyte Honored at Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] (website) |date=January 21, 2013 |access-date=February 4, 2023}}</ref> In June, she released "Cravin'", in collaboration with [[High School Musical: Get in the Picture|Stan Carrizosa]] as the first single from her forthcoming album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thesource.com/2013/07/07/mc-lytes-got-a-cravin/ |title=MC Lyte's Got a "Cravin" |website=[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]] (website) |date=July 7, 2013 |access-date=February 4, 2023}}</ref> In October, Lyte was honored with the Icon Lifetime Achievement "I Am Hip Hop" at the [[2013 BET Hip Hop Awards|8th edition]] of the [[BET Hip Hop Awards]] for her contributions to hip-hop culture.<ref name="BETHH">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/5687418/bet-honors-mc-lyte-with-i-am-hip-hop-award/|title=BET Honors MC Lyte With I Am Hip Hop Award |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] (website)|date=September 12, 2013 |access-date=May 24, 2021}}</ref>

In September 2014, "[[Dear John (MC Lyte song)|Dear John]]", featuring [[Common (rapper)|Common]] & 10Beats, was released as the second single.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6244167/mc-lyte-dear-john-charts |title=MC Lyte Returns, Charts With 'Dear John' From Next Album |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] (website) |access-date=May 8, 2015}}</ref> In September, she reunited with Queen Latifah, Brandy and Yo-Yo to perform "I Wanna Be Down" at the [[2014 BET Hip Hop Awards]] in celebration of its 20th anniversary.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Brandy, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, & Yo-Yo Reunite at BET Hip-Hop Awards|magazine=[[Rap-Up]]|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2014/10/14/brandy-queen-latifah-mc-lyte-yo-yo-i-wanna-be-down-remix-bet-hip-hop-awards/|date=2014-10-14|access-date=2016-01-07}}</ref> On October 14, 2014, MC Lyte performed "Cha Cha Cha" and "Dear John" to President [[Barack Obama]] at the celebration for the 50th anniversary of the legislation that created the [[National Endowment for the Humanities]] and the [[National Endowment for the Arts]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/s/www.cbsnews.com/news/president-obama-celebrates-american-music-with-eclectic-bunch/ |website=[[CBS News]] 
|date=October 14, 2015 |access-date=October 1, 2021 |title= President Obama celebrates American music with "eclectic bunch"}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media | last=muzline |title=MC Lyte - Dear John / Cha Cha Cha (Live 2016) | url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bo_5FAx8Wdo | via=[[YouTube]] | date=January 10, 2016
|access-date=October 1, 2021}}</ref> becoming the first female artist to perform Hip Hop at the [[White House]].<ref name="MC Lyte"/> In November, she released "Ball" as the third single.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6319517/mc-lyte-ball-feat-lil-mama-av-exclusive-video-premiere |title=MC Lyte, 'Ball' Feat. Lil Mama & AV: Exclusive Video Premiere |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] (website) |access-date=October 2, 2021}}</ref>

In April 2015, MC Lyte released ''[[Legend (MC Lyte album)|Legend]]'', her eighth solo album and her first full-length studio album in 12 years.<ref>{{cite web| first= C. Vernon |last= Coleman |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2015/04/mc-lyte-drops-first-album-11-years-legend/ |title=MC Lyte Drops Her First Album in 12 Years, 'Legend |website=Xxl mag.com |date=April 18, 2015 |access-date=May 8, 2015}}</ref> As part of ''[[Record Store Day]]'', the album was available for 24 hours only on a limited-edition [[Phonograph record|vinyl]] collector's item.<ref name="complex">{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2015/04/mc-lyte-legend-vinyl-record-store-day |title=MC Lyte Releases Her First Album in 12 Years on Record Store Day |website=[[Complex Networks (media)|Complex]] |date=April 18, 2015 |accessdate=September 22, 2021}}</ref> Shortly before the album's release, the fourth and final single "Check" was released.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thesource.com/2015/04/02/exclusive-premiere-watch-mc-lytes-new-video-check/ |title=Exclusive Premiere: Watch MC Lyte's New Video, "Check" |website=[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]] |date= April 2, 2015 |accessdate=October 2, 2021}}</ref>

In July 2016, Lyte performed at the ''Essence Music Festival'' in New Orleans.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2016/04/20/essence-festival-2016-p-diddy-common-performing/|title=Essence Festival 2016 lineup adds P. Diddy, Common |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=April 20, 2016 |access-date=February 7, 2023}}</ref> In September, she was awarded the [[W. E. B. Du Bois Medal]], the [[Harvard University]]'s highest honor in the field of African and African-American studies.<ref name="hu"/> In October, she collaborated with [[Eric Benét]] on the track "Holdin' On" from [[Eric Benét (album)|his eponymous album]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://soulbounce.com/2016/10/soulbounce-exclusive-eric-benet-mc-lyte-will-have-you-holding-on-to-their-every-word/|title=SoulBounce Exclusive: Eric Benét & MC Lyte Will Have You 'Holdin On' To Their Every Word |website=[[Soul Bounce]] |date=October 4, 2016 |access-date=February 6, 2023}}</ref>

In June 2017, during [[WQHT|Hot 97]]'s annual [[Summer Jam (festival)|Summer Jam]] music festival, Remy Ma brought out MC Lyte, along with [[The Lady of Rage]], [[Cardi B]], [[Young M.A]], [[Monie Love]], Lil' Kim, and Queen Latifah, to celebrate female rappers and perform Latifah's 1993 hit single "[[U.N.I.T.Y.]]" about [[female empowerment]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://allhiphop.com/2017/06/13/cardi-b-betray-nicki-minaj/|title=Did Cardi B Betray Nicki Minaj?|website=Allhiphop.com|date=June 13, 2017|access-date=July 17, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2017/06/remy-ma-nicki-minaj-summer-jam-screen-cardi-b-stage/ |title=Remy Ma Disses Nicki Minaj at 2017 Summer Jam, Brings Cardi B, Lil Kim on Stage – XXL |website=Xxlmag.com |date=June 12, 2017 |access-date=July 17, 2017}}</ref> She also released the single "Money on My Mind."

In 2018, she continued to release a strand of singles, one of which was 'Easy', in response to her British audience claiming that artists who recorded [[new jack swing]] were sexually explicit. In July 2018, she was a special guest on Queen Latifah's show "Ladies First" in the ''Essence Music Festival'', along with Brandy, Missy Elliott, Salt-N-Pepa, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Monie Love and Remy Ma.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/queen-latifah-celebrates-with-hip-hop-legends-at-essence-festival-8464340/|title=Queen Latifah Celebrates With Hip-Hop Legends at Essence Festival|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] (website)|date=July 8, 2018|access-date=February 7, 2023}}</ref>

In January 2019, she received The Trail Blazer Award at the Trumpet Awards in Atlanta with Yo Yo, [[Lil Mama]], Da Brat, [[Big Tigger]], and DJ K-Rock helping to celebrate with a performance of Lyte songs.<ref name="ta">{{cite web|url=https://www.11alive.com/article/entertainment/television/programs/the-a-scene/mc-lyte-lil-mama-robert-townsend-rodney-jerkins-celebrate-2019-bounce-tv-trumpet-awards/85-f431c6a2-4af7-4eb3-a4ae-b4afab6cda05 |title=MC Lyte, Lil Mama, Robert Townsend, Rodney Jerkins celebrate 2019 Bounce TV Trumpet Awards |website=11Alive.com |date=January 21, 2019 |accessdate=February 4, 2023}}</ref>

In 2024, Lyte scored and acted as music supervisor for the film adaptation of ''The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table'' by [[Minda Harts]]. The psychological thriller film, titled ''The Memo'', starred [[Kyla Pratt]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aswad |first=Jem |date=2024-07-25 |title=Kyla Pratt Stars in 'The Memo,' Film Adaptation of Minda Harts' Thriller, With Music by MC Lyte (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/kyla-pratt-the-memo-film-adaptation-minda-harts-1236084473/ |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>