MC Lyte is a 53-year-old emcee from Queens, New York who is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of female rap. Her first 4 albums Lyte as a rock, Eyes on it, Act as you know & It's no one else were released through First Priority Music/Atlantic Records to positive reception as was her debut on Elektra Records Bad as I Wanna B. Answers for Elektra's 2nd & final offer 7 & 7 were more mixed while Da Underground Heat & Legend both are considered the weakest entries in her discography. Nevertheless, I was still curious about her 9th LP since 2024 was the year of comebacks.
Following the self-titled intro, first track 'Thank You' featuring Muni Long is this luxurious Nottz-produced opener that talks about lighting a fire, while 'Life & Luxury' organically follows the funky boom bap route thanks to DJ Scratch talking about an ungrateful opponent. “King King” featuring Queen Latifah continues to cut the soul samples paying tribute to the men and after the “Sunni Block Barber Shop” break, “To Rock the Mic” works a funkier groove on the beats than Warryn Campbell promises to keep tearing it up lyrically.
The hard hitting 2 and a half minute hip hop anthem “1-5” talks about how it takes skill to copy the mics and will pay your bills if you're lucky enough just before “Make a Livin” boasts that it's live art on gallery. “All Day All Night” with Easy Mo Bee behind the boards ends the first half of the album tackling themes of romance, but then “Lyte Ghost Lil Mama” with Ghostface Killah & Lil Mama finds the trio over a dusty boom bam bit to speak. about the game not being attractive to them.
“Kick Back Relax” takes a more laid-back approach, telling everyone who brings negativity their way, and after the “Vote 4 Change” break, “Change Your Ways” featuring Common and Stevie Wonder should be one of the most problematic. cuts here encouraging you to make a change in your life. The rousing single “Woman” featuring Big Daddy Kane & Salt talks about female empowerment, while Cory Mo's soulful “Alright” encourages that everything will be alright. The last song “Music Is” after Easy Mo Bee's interlude ends 1 by 1 telling us that's all he does.
I personally haven't liked an MC Lyte project since Bad as I Wanna B Almost 28 years ago and her first offering in nearly a decade is proving to be a second coming of age now that she's in a different place spiritually, as well as yet another example of hip hop veterans returning to form. She brings her signature blend of love, braggadocio and storytelling to inspire, uplift and educate listeners in some of the best production I've heard her support in quite some time.
Rating: 8/10