Strong Women In Music Concert Interview Series: The Main Event, MC Lyte

Strong Women In Music Concert at Penn State University | April 27, 2011
Interviews with MC Lyte, Dr. E and musical director Ronnie Burrage.

The Main Event: Interview with MC Lyte

MC Lyte gives women a strong voice in the Hip-Hop community, she is a pioneer and living legend, earning her status as icon by setting the standard for emcees to come. MC Lyte is the first solo female Hip-Hop artist to earn a Grammy nomination, obtain a Gold Record, and perform at Carnegie Hall! MC Lyte is a multifaceted mogul, Actress, DJ, Motivational Speaker, and Philanthropist. Bringing history to universities; Lyte tours college campuses across the country utilizing her success story to motivate students and young adults to reach their full potential.

The Strong Women In Music Concert, hosted by the Penn State Jazz Club presented a once in a lifetime opportunity to engage in an intimate lecture on Tuesday April 26 in Osmond Lab by the one and only MC Lyte, followed by an exhilarating concert performance Wednesday night in Alumni Hall.

Before she rocked Penn State fans with hits like "Cha Cha Cha", "Poor Georgie", "Ruffneck" and “Self Destruction”, I had the honor and pleasure of catching up with MC Lyte for an exclusive EAR CANDI interview.

Thank you again MC Lyte, meeting you was truly a dream come true! - Ebony Jeanette

EAR CANDI: While in the studio recording "Self Destruction" with Daddy-O and LL Cool J, why did you and LL decide to change the original lyrics for your part?

MC LYTE: I think what I did on that rhyme originally was put in statistics, like hard core numbers of how many kids were actually dying due to violence and it was a little too strong. You know I have always been the one to tell the truth so we just broke it down and LL and I wrote it together. We took it line by line and really thought about what was going to be most potent, but not give so much information that it becomes overbearing.

EAR CANDI: What does it mean to be a strong woman in music to you?

MC LYTE: Stand up for what it is you believe, never be taken advantage of and do what it is that makes you happy!

EAR CANDI: What is your favorite lyric of all time?

MC LYTE: Oh boy! Well, Chuck D said it best: Because I’m public enemy number ONE!

EAR CANDI: You’ve been all over the world, where is the one place aside from your stomping grounds, you feel most at home?

MC LYTE: Philly reminds me most of New York.

EAR CANDI: Just My Take is your first self published literary piece, can we expect any future pieces from you, will they also be self published?

MC LYTE: You know what, I don't know - it depends on whether they are fiction or non, because I really don't like to wait, you know?

EAR CANDI: Is that why you chose to self publish rather than go though an agency?

MC LYTE: Yes, I have a literary agent but giving it to them means that the shape or the mold in which i speak would be changed as a result of editing.

EAR CANDI: What advice do you give to young female emcees who are working to break into the industry without over-sexualizing themselves for attention?

MC LYTE: You just have to stay true to who you are, speak truth and ask a lot of questions so that you can be educated about the decisions you make.

EAR CANDI: And you’ve done so much already, where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?

MC LYTE: Oh I don't know, (chuckles) I go day by day!

EAR CANDI: Do you have a motto that you live by?

MC LYTE: Do whatever is necessary to be happy. So, whatever that means for you as an individual.

EAR CANDI: When you are on the road touring, what is the one item you can not be without?

MC LYTE: Probably my laptop or Ipod, something that gives me music - I really need that!

EAR CANDI: Artist receiving the most plays on your Ipod right now?

MC LYTE: Niki Minaj.

 Visit the official MC Lyte Website

MC LYTE is constantly creating new mind blowing material,

buy new releases and stay up to date on her schedule

@ http://www.reverbnation.com/mclyte

 

 

Visit the official MC Lyte Website

Strong Women In Music Concert Interview Series: The Opening Act, Dr. E

Strong Women In Music Concert at Penn State University | April 27, 2011
Interviews with MC Lyte, Dr. E and musical director Ronnie Burrage.

Led by world renowned drummer Ronnie Burrage, a live band composed of musicians Eli Byrne, Chulo Gatewood, Marvin Horne, and Adam Faulk accompanied the legendary MC Lyte for the Penn State Jazz Club Strong Women In Music concert held April 27th at Alumni Hall.

Penn State Student rappers Ugo, Equille Williams, Jackie Hodge and Drew Dub of the Hip-Hop/ Reggae ensemble Atlas Soundtrack (interview coming soon) also shared the stage with MC Lyte for a crowd pleasing performance of the game changing single “Self Destruction.”

EAR CANDI is pleased to present crew member Ebony Jeanette’s interviews with headliner MC Lyte, opening act Dr. E and musical director Ronnie Burrage.

A special thank you to the Penn State Jazz Club faculty advisor Eli Byrne for making it all possible!

The Opening Act: Interview with Dr. E

Opening the Strong Women In Music concert was soul songstress, songwriter, and former Penn State professor Dr. E.

A rising independent artist, Dr. E has performed at many notable venues such as Walt Disney World, The Cleveland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, The Lincoln Theatre and more. She has captivated listeners with her unique brand of soul and continues to inspire through her personal story of redemption (See here).

Thanks again Dr. E for a great interview! - Ebony Jeanette

EAR CANDI: What does it mean to be a “Strong Woman In Music” to you?

Dr. E: Be who you are and keep grinding.

EAR CANDI: As the opening act for the Strong Women In Music concert, what do you feel right now is most exciting about your music?

Dr. E: Well, now I have gotten beyond the initial excitement when I first completed my project. Now I am proud of my music because it is a part of who I am and it makes me feel good that a lot of people like it and accept it and me for who I am. I am growing as a woman and a songwriter which is great! It feels so wonderful to open the evening for MC Lyte, she has always been an inspiration to me as an versatile entrepreneur and master of her craft.

EAR CANDI: Tell us about your day job, you were a professor at Penn State a few years back and currently at at Ohio State University right?

Dr. E: I am becoming more and more of who I really am and want to be. I used to think of myself as Elaine the singer-songwriter, Elaine the sister-girl from Cleveland, Dr. E the applied linguist who loves culture and African and Afro-diasporic cultures, Dr. E the community advocate. My selves are really not disparate. I am figuring out that I don't have to separate my music life from my scholarly and outreach life. I am all one person and I take me everywhere I go. It's cool!

EAR CANDI: You are a scholar and a songwriter wow! So what is your music writing process like? Does it just come to you?

Dr. E: I can have an idea and the music comes later, or sometimes I get the music and feeling and lyrics all at once, or I will experience an emotion or event and a song will come to me. I’ve had dreams where I saw myself singing a song I end up writing and other times, someone will just give me pre-recorded tracks and I''l vibe until something comes.

EAR CANDI: Who are you listening to the most right now on your ipod?

Dr. E: I'm listening to Georgia Anne Muldrow, Monica, Ronnie Burrage, MC Lyte, and Mary Mary.

EAR CANDI: What advice do you give to young girls who have made difficult life choices? How can they be Elevated?

Dr. E: We all make mistakes. Don't let your past define your future. You are love made straight from the creator, no matter your circumstances. Get the support you need. Reach out and keep striving for your goals.

EAR CANDI: Where can we buy your music?

Dr. E: cdbaby.com/dreelevated

LIKE Dr. E on FACEBOOK!

Get your copy of "Elevated" at cdbaby.com/dreelevated