The Very Best of MC Lyte [PA]

Performer: MC Lyte
Artist: Xscape; Missy Elliott
Distributor: WEA (Distributor)

Notes: Personnel includes: M.C. Lyte, Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliot (rap vocals); Richard Wolf (arranger, guitar, keyboards); Bob Sheppard (saxophone); Reggie McBride (bass); Bret Mazur (drums, programming); Audio Two (programming); Vanessa Townsell (background vocals). Producers include: Audio Two, King Of Chill, Dee Jay Doc, Jermaine Dupri, Rashad Smith. Compilation producer: Barry "Rockbarry" Benson. Engineers include: Mario Rodriguez, Phil Tan, Franklin Grant. Includes liner notes by Shannita Williams-Alleyne. All tracks have been digitally remastered. Additional personnel: Xcape, Missy Elliott. Audio Remasterer: Pat Kraus. Rhino's 2001 collection The Very Best of MC Lyte is an excellent summary of MC Lyte's recordings for Atlantic records. The collection balances her career quite nimbly, with four tracks from her 1988 debut Lyte As a Rock, five from 1989's Eyes on This, three from 1991's Act Like You Know, two from Ain't No Other, and one from Bad As I Wanna B, with her guest appearance on Foster/McElroy's "Dr. Soul," and the Bad Boy remix "Cold Rock a Party" rounding out the compilation for good measure. The decreasing returns from each subsequent album signals that MC Lyte's material did dip as the '90s wore on, but this does contain credible highlights from those records, while her hardcore golden-age recordings -- "10% Dis," "I Cram to Understand U," "Kickin' 4 Brooklyn," "Cha Cha Cha," "I Am the Lyte," "Shut the Eff Up! (Hoe)" -- still stand as fresh, powerful hip-hop. The first two records still hold their own, but this is a very good sampler and introduction in its own right. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Q (11/01, p.140) - 3 out of 5 stars - "...Audacious..." Uncut (11/01, p.118) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Her intriguing narratives insured longevity building on early sparse but imaginative productions..."

While there were a few female MCs before her, MC Lyte, who dropped her debut, LYTE AS A ROCK, in 1988, was one of the first female rappers to impact the movement artistically and commercially. Her brash, skillful style earned her considerable respect from the male-dominated rap community, but Lyte took dead aim at that very community's chauvinism and misogyny. Though she made a few less-than-successful attempts at crossover stardom, her standing as one of hip-hop's iconic figures has never been questioned. In addition to music, Lyte has had a solid acting career and has done considerable work in the fight against AIDS and HIV.

Click Here for Shipping Options and Policies

Shipping or Dimension weight in pounds: 0.5