MC Lyte Remains “1 of 1” After 4 Decades In (Album Review)

MC Lyte is a 53 year old emcee from Queens, New York who is widely regarded as amongst the pioneers of female rap. Her first 4 albums Lyte as a Rock, Eyes on This, Act Like You Know & Ain’t No Other were released through First Priority Music/Atlantic Records to positive reception as was her Elektra Records debut Bad as I Wanna B. Responses towards her 2nd & final Elektra offering 7 & 7 were more mixed while Da Undaground Heat & Legend are both regarded as the weakest entries in her discography. Nevertheless, I was still curious about her 9th LP since 2024 has been the year of the comebacks.

After the titular intro, the first song “Thank You”featuring Muni Long is this lavish opener produced by Nottz talking about lighting the fire whereas “Life & Luxury” takes the soulful boom bap route instrumentally thanks to DJ Scratch talking about an ungrateful adversary. “King King” featuring Queen Latifah continues to chop up the soul samples paying homage to men & after the “Sunni Block Barber Shop” interlude, “To Rock the Mic” works in a funkier groove to the beat from Warryn Campbell promising to keep ripping it lyrically.

The 2 & a half minute hardcore hip hop anthem “1-5” talks about how it takes skills to rip microphones & it’ll pay your bills if you’re lucky enough just before “Make a Livin’” boasts that she’s the live art in the gallery. “All Day All Night” with Easy Mo Bee behind the boards ends the first half of the album by tackling themes of romance, but then “Lyte Ghost Lil Mama” featuring Ghostface Killah & Lil Mama finds the trio over a dusty boom bap beat talking about the game being unattractive to them.

“Kick Back Relax” goes for a calmer approach telling everyone bringing negativity her way to kick rocks & after the “Vote 4 Change” interlude, “Change Your Ways” featuring both Common & Stevie Wonder has to be one of the most thought-provoking cuts here encouraging to make a change in your life. The captivating lead single “Woman” featuring Big Daddy Kane & Salt talks female empowerment while the soulful “Alright” that Cory Mo laced encourages that all will be fine. The final song “Music Is” following the Easy Mo Bee interlude ends 1 of 1 by telling us it’s all she does.

I personally haven’t enjoyed an MC Lyte project since Bad as I Wanna B almost 28 years back & her first offering in nearly a decade proves to be a 2nd coming of age now that she’s at a different place spiritually as well as yet another example of hip hop’s veterans returning to form. She showcases her signature blend of love, braggadocio & storytelling to inspire, uplift & educate listeners over some of the best production that I’ve heard backing her in quite a while.

Score: 8/10