MC Lyte, born Lana Michele Moorer on October 11, 1970, in Brooklyn, New York, has been a defining force in hip hop. Her journey began at just 12 years old, and she quickly etched her name in the annals of music history as a pioneering female rapper.

With the release of her debut album "Lyte as a Rock" in 1988, she broke new ground by becoming the first solo female rapper to release a full-length album. This album featured the impactful tracks "10% Dis" and "Paper Thin," which remain influential songs in the genre.

Her career continued to soar with the release of her second album, "Eyes on This," in 1989. The single "Cha Cha Cha" from this album charted on the Billboard 200, making her one of the first female rappers to do so.

In 1991, her hit single "Poor Georgie" marked her first appearance on the Billboard Hot 100. Subsequent hits such as "Ruffneck," which earned her the distinction of being the first solo female rapper to achieve a gold certification, and "Cold Rock a Party," a popular collaboration with Missy Elliott, solidified her status as a hip hop icon.

Beyond her music career, MC Lyte has been a versatile talent, lending her voice and presence to television and film. She starred in shows like "Living Single," "In the House," and "Half & Half." Moreover, her voice has been featured in the animated series "The Proud Family." She's also appeared in movies including "Train Ride" and "Dreamgirls."

Raised by her mother Constance, a school teacher, and surrounded by influential neighborhood friends Kirk and Nat Robinson of the hip hop duo Audio Two, she credits her upbringing in Brooklyn for imbuing her with the discipline and drive that propelled her career.

MC Lyte married Marine veteran John Wyche in 2017, but the couple separated in 2020 and finalized their divorce in 2023.

She has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the "I Am Hip Hop" Icon Lifetime Achievement Award from the BET Hip Hop Awards and honors at the VH1 Hip Hop Honors. In 2004, she was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Female Rap Solo Performance for her track "Ride Wit Me".

Moreover, in 2016, she received the W.E.B. Du Bois Medal, Harvard University's highest honor in African and African-American studies.