MC Lyte Reveals Financial Challenges Despite Hip Hop Success, Urges New Artists to Stay Savvy

Brooklyn native and Hip Hop pioneer MC Lyte, born Lana Michele Moorer, recently opened up about her experiences in the music industry.

She shed light on the financial realities she faced as a groundbreaking female rapper.

In an interview on “The Breakfast Club” podcast, MC Lyte discussed the modest earnings she received from her publishing royalties, despite her significant contributions to Hip Hop.

MC Lyte’s journey in the music industry began at just 12 years old when she wrote her first single. Betting on her talent, she auditioned for First Priority Records in 1986, eventually signing with the label.

Reflecting on those early days, MC Lyte disclosed that she received a $5,000 advance, which she used to purchase a car.

However, her earnings from the label were limited, with most of her income coming from touring.

Despite releasing successful albums like “Lyte As A Rock” (1988) and “Eyes On This” (1989), which featured hits like “Cha Cha Cha,” MC Lyte revealed that her publishing royalties were meager.

“I received a ‘slight’ amount, but nothing like I should have,” she admitted, calling the music industry a “treacherous game.”

MC Lyte, who has since reclaimed full ownership of her music catalog, commended today’s artists for their transparency about music deals and the financial pitfalls of the industry.

“What’s interesting is on the internet now, in every nook and cranny, you can see truth being told,” she said. “You got some people that are just like, ‘Look, this is how the record deal works,’ which I think is really admirable.”

The rapper, who now owns her stage name and creative works thanks to a prenuptial agreement, urged younger artists to be wise with their finances:

“There’s so much more money being made in this business, and I can only hope that the youngins are doing the right thing with it because there are ebbs and flows.”