Alongside steaming summer temperatures, festival season in Chicago is blazing; and last weekend was no different. Rap legend MC Lyte headlined the 5th Annual West Side Music Festival on Saturday (August 20.) Hosted by North Lawndale’s Douglas Park, Kelly Price and Hip Hop pioneer Slick Rick the Ruler also performed, after The Voice’s and Chicago native Mark Hood, K Love the Poet and others kicked off the night.
Lyte, who released her first LP in 12 years Legend last April, closed out the night with performing fan favorites of new and old, including 1993’s “Ruffneck” and “We Here Now” featuring Mario.
The Source caught up with the New York native as she dished on new music and her secret to looking flawlessly young.
Last year you were promoting Legend, what’s been going on since then?
I somewhat joined the cast of Sisterhood of Hip Hop, I’ve toured in various places and Love Jones: The Musical. The executive producer reached out and asked if I was interested in playing a particular role I said yeah and I kept getting more involved. Our company is going to produce all the experiences that happen after the actual show. So we’re excited about that.
We also have the W.E.A.L.T.H. Experience that happened in January and we’re doing it again this January 5th-8th in South Beach, and it changes people’s lives. We also have an MC Lyte app, too.
What would you tell you’re 18 self?
Probably to ask more questions and also to say yes more often than no. Just have an open mind and know that if you’re doing the will of God, every open door will lead to another open door.
What else can we expect from you?
New music, called “Spotlight,” we did a 4 -5 song EP for my Nissan activation during the BET Experience and now we’re expanding that album. I did about five more tracks added to that then we’ll do “Spotlight” September 13. Of course we have
Lil’ Mama– there’s some big news on her but I’m not sure if I can talk about it yet.
Where is this fountain of youth at? You don’t age!
*Laughs* Thank you! You know just water, working out, and trying to be stress free.
But I’m single, and I don’t know if that has anything to do with it, but I see God is putting some things in my horizons so we’ll see if I can look this young after I get attached!
Photo credit: Getty Images, Eddy Lamere
