MC Lyte has paid tribute to Nas, Common, and other GOATS of Hip Hop for inspiring her to perform at her best.
The pioneering female rapper took to her Instagram on Thursday (April 4) to post a photo with the two legends — along with pics of her with Big Daddy Kane and LL COOL J — thanking them for their influence on both her career and the culture as a whole.
Her message gave thanks not only to a murderer’s row of legendary rappers including Chuck D, KRS-One, Fat Joe, her half-brother Milk Dee of Audio Two, and the late Biz Markie and Heavy D; but also DJs and even veteran exec (and first out the limo) Charlie Mack.
“Salute to these brothers who challenge me to be a better MC. They call me out when it’s GO time to record and get back out there. They show me that even when the world keeps spinning (as it never stops) there’s still room for LYTE!” she wrote. “@nas @common @officialbigdaddykane @llcoolj @mrchuckd @teacha_krsone @fatjoe @officialbizmarkie @heavydandtheboyz_ @kreepyclown @mcmilkdee @charliemackfirstout @djtonytouch @djscratch @startingfromscratch and so many more.”
Kane responded with several black heart emojis, while Common replied, “WOW! This means a lot because you inspired me!” Busta Rhymes, meanwhile, responding with a series of crown emojis, and Chuck D responded with fire emojis.
Check out the post below.
Last month, MC Lyte received some flowers of her own when she was honored at the first SEED Summit + Awards, founded by industry veteran Valeisha Butterfield.
The awards took place March 22-24 at the 1 Hotel in Los Angeles, though news of Lyte being honored for her “power of storytelling” was announced on March 21.
“The power of storytelling transforms lives and as we celebrate this tremendous milestone with our inaugural SEED Summit + Awards, the culture stands together for the launch of SEED,” Butterfield said in a statement.
“Illuminating the most iconic stories and people of our generation is our mission as we plant seeds into the next generation of creators, storytellers, leaders and professionals following in our footsteps.”
MC Lyte was honored on March 23 alongside Massah David, Miatta Johnson and Dr. Lynn Richardson.
Other creators, executives and artists who planned to participate in the SEED Summit earlier that day were Bryan-Michael Cox, Melanie Fiona and Estelle, 11th & Co chairman/CEO Ebonie Ward, Kickstarter CEO Everette Taylor, Franklin Entertainment’s DeVon Franklin and Reign Ventures’ Monique Ludlett.
In a joint statement, honorees MC Lyte and Dr. Lynn Richardson commented: “Valeisha’s entire life and career have been dedicated to elevating the culture, so to be recognized with this inaugural award, we’re humbled and grateful. We commit to continuing to plant seeds into the next generation of creators and artists.”