Illuminati 2G

I2G had the extreme honor to interview one of the legends in the hip hop game, MC Lyte. We talk about her start in music, take a trip down memory lane of what her favorite albums in her catalog are and some insight into 2 of her biggest hits and the future as far as her upcoming mixtape and album. Enjoy.

Illuminati 2G is here with the one and only MC Lyte, how's it going?

SO GOOD, CAN'T COMPLAIN. EVERYTHING IS GOING MY WAY..LOL SO I LIKE TO THINK.

Tell me a little bit about how you got your start in hip hop.  

I STARTED RAPPING LONG AGO.  IT WAS A HOBBY. MY STEPDAD STARTED A COMPANY FOR AUDIO TWO AND THE REST IS HISTORY. WE STARTED OUT AS AN INDEPENDENT AND THEN WERE PART OF THE FIRST MAJOR SIGNING AS A INDIE RECORD LABEL WITH ATLANTIC RECORDS.

What would you say is the biggest change you have seen with the music business as far as the way it is run now and when you first got started?

IT'S BIG BUSINESS.  IT CAN REALLY SUPPORT FAMILIES! I HAVE! IT'S OPENED THE DOORS FOR FASHION COMPANIES, FRAGRANCES, MOVIES, TV AND FILM. MAKE UP, CLOTHING AND RADIO. HIPHOP IS ALL OVER THE PLACE!

What are your thoughts on the state of hip hop today?

I THINK HIPHOP IS WHAT WE MAKE IT AT THE END OF THE DAY. IT'S ALL OF US COLLECTIVELY SAYING WHETHER WE LIKE SOMETHING OR NOT. IF SOME ARE NOT SATISFIED THEY SHOULD FIND SOMETHING WITHIN HIP HOP THAT MOTIVATES THEM.  IT'S ALL KINDS OF HIP HOP OUT THERE TO BE IN LOVE WITH, YOU JUST HAVE TO FIND IT.

Your music has always been socially in tune and you also were able to make party and street anthems. I always enjoyed the storytelling songs from you like a I Cram To Understand You or a Poor Georgie. Do you feel that storytelling is something missing in the game today?

I FEEL IT'S THERE IT'S JUST NOT BEING PUSHED AND PROMOTED. EVERYTHING IN MAINSTREAM HIP HOP IS A QUICK HIT. NO LONG TERM VALUE. THAT'S WHY SINGLES SELL THE MOST UNITS, BECAUSE THE RECORD INDUSTRY ISN'T INTERESTED IN MAKING FANS OF AN ARTIST, THEY ARE INTERESTED IN MAKING FANS OF A SONG. A HIT SONG THAT IS RECOGNIZABLE MORE SO THAN THE ARTIST THAT EVEN MAKES IT.

I also wanted to know with the songs previously mentioned, what creative process if any would you go through in writing and creating songs like those?

JUST SITTING AND THINKING. I DO MY BEST CREATIONS IN A CAR. MOVING AT 70MPH.

How do you feel about the role women currently play in hip hop today?

WE AREN'T IN THE MAINSTREAM ENOUGH THAT'S FOR SURE, BUT AT LEAST WE ARE STILL DOING OUR THING.

Who are some of your favorites in the game right now?

EMON, MAE DAY, NEB LOVE, ATLAST, CHOCOLATE THAI

Congrats on being honored by VH1 a few years back with the Hip Hop Honors. What was that experience like for you?

IT WAS GREAT! NOTHING LIKE IT IN THE WORLD.  IT'S DOPE TO JUST GET AN HONOR. NOT HAVE TO COMPETE, JUST KNOWING THAT AT THE END OF THE SHOW YOU'RE WALKING AWAY WITH MORE THAN WHAT YOU CAME WITH.

My 2 all time favorite joints from you have to be Hard Copy from Ain't No Other and Rock Ya Body remix with Missy Elliott with the Diana Ross sample. What memories do you have from making those 2 joints that you can share with everyone.

HARD COPY WAS SO ORIGINAL IN TERMS OF ALL THREE OF US ROCKING THE SAME VERSE JUST IN OUR OWN STYLES.  THAT BRINGS BACK GOOD MEMORIES. COLD ROCK A PARTY WAS A GREAT TIME TOO. RON LAWRENCE AND PUFFY DID THE REMIX AND THEY CALLED MISSY IN WHO I HAD NEVER MET.  I HAD HEARD HER ON SOME OF THE JODECI STUFF BUT DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS HER.  I LOVED WHAT SHE BROUGHT TO THE SONG.  SHE PUT LIFE INTO IT AND ADDED HARMONY. 

What is your favorite album from your catalog and why?

NOT SURE, TOO MANY TO COUNT...LOL  THANK GOD! PAPERTHIN, LYTE AS A ROCK, KEEP ON, POOR GEORGIE, CHA CHA CHA, STOP LOOK AND LISTEN.....

Any plans of doing another album in the near future?

YES NEW FREE MIX CD ON LINE CALLED "FLOOR BOARDS" FOR THE HIP HOP FANATIC, BASEMENT FLAVA FROM THE GROUND UP.  A COUPLE OF THE SONGS HAVE BEEN ON LINE IN VARIOUS PLACES, BUT NOW THE FANS WILL BE ABLE TO GET IT ALL FROM ONE SPOT.

Outside of music, what other ventures are you currently working on right now?

EVP AT DUBOSE MUSIC GROUP HERE IN LOS ANGELES ALONG SIDE EXECUTIVE PRODUCER JAMES DUBOSE. ALSO DOING A TV SHOW WITH HIM THAT AIRS IN JANUARY CALLED HOLLYWOOD TREATMENT.

Do you have any upcoming shows or tour dates?

YES THEY CAN FIND IT ALL ON REVERBNATION.COM/MCLYTE

What is your myspace or website info for people wanting to check out what you have going on? WWW.MYSPACE.COM/MCLYTE, WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/McLYTE , WWW.TWITTER.COM/MCLYTE , WWW.OKAYSISTER.COM, WWW.HIPHOPSISTERS.COM, WWW.WEENONLINE.ORG, WWW.THELYTEZONE.COM.

It is a real honor and pleasure to interview you. I consider you one of the best to bless the mic and you have and continue to pave the way for many artists. Is there any last words or shoutouts you would like to get out there?

THANK YOU FOR THE CONTINUED SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE YEARS, IT DOES NOT GO UNNOTICED AND I HOPE TO BE ABLE TO DELIVER THE GOODS TO YOU EACH AND EVERY TIME. GOD BLESS.

Appreciate the interview.