While Hip Hop may have been dominated by male rappers earlier on, select ladies quickly made their presence known earlier on. A history lesson that deserves further examination, making a short list, you had those like MC Sha-Rock who came up in the late ‘70s Bronx scene, and Roxanne Shanté who rocked the world in 1984 with “Roxanne’s Revenge,” but also a young named by the name of MC Lyte immediately grabbing attention.
Residing in Brooklyn, MC Lyte began rhyming at only twelve years of age, recorded her first tracks at fourteen years old, and by the time she was eighteen would become the first woman ever to release a full-length Hip Hop record. An impressive accomplishment, the album in question was 1988’s Lyte as a Rock, and it largely considered not only one of the best female Hip Hop albums of all time but the best Hip Hop albums of all time, period. Moving into 1989, she was making history once more as a part of Stop the Violence Movement where she appeared alongside the likes of many such as KRS-One, Doug E. Fresh, and Public Enemy’s Chuck D in the hit track “Self Destruction.”
A great launching point for a promising career, since those early days MC Lyte has been prolific as a songwriter, performer, entrepreneur, and actress. Truly inspiring, some may look at many of her albums as a favorite, with many turning to 1989’s Eyes on This or 1993’s Ain’t No Other, but no matter the selection, no one can deny her consistency. Diversified and very busy, she has managed to pump out eight solid albums album through to 2015’s Legend, but now in 2024, she makes an epic return with 1 of 1.
MC Lyte’s ninth studio album, 1 of 1 arrived on September 20, 2024, is her first studio album in nearly a decade, and overflowing with powerful music. Lyte, always a lyricist who championed female empowerment and intelligent decision-making, is also an album that wants to inspire positivity. You can look back at her discography and find a bundle of songs that speak of sexism, racism, and the horror of drugs, but with 1 of 1, Lyte takes matters to a new level.
Also an album about society, hypocrisy, and injustice, what really beams through here is My Lyte’s message of spirituality. Something needed in a time where it feels dark and hopeless, Lyte comes at you with sincere lyrics about the healing powers of believing in something beyond material items or your own selfish needs. Not at all preachy, but more leading by example with her personal experiences with the world of fame, fortune, and all the shiny people, these songs tell stories you will want to hear.
With seventeen tracks in total, MC Lyte takes you on a journey through her life starting from her beginnings to earned wisdom through age. Through all of this you get uplifting songs like “Thank You” “Change Your Ways,” and “Music Is” to eye-opening ones like “Life & Luxury,” but also female-affirming anthems such as “Woman.” Offering so much more in between it all, the candid dialogue tracks in between only add to the cohesiveness of a classic Hip Hop record. Furthermore, the cast of guests MC Lyte assembled is nothing less than astounding; with everyone from Queen Latifah, Ghostface Killah, Q-Tip, and Big Daddy Kane, to Common and Stevie Wonder.
In the end, MC Lyte’s 1 of 1 could be one of her best albums to date. It is raw, authentic, possesses timeless Hip Hop beats, and hits you where it matters… in the heart. A surprising ray of light in the 2024 Hip Hop world, Cryptic Rock gives 1 of 1 5 out of 5 stars.
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