MC Lyte Reflects On Evolution Of Female Hip-Hop: “We’ve Come Through The Trenches”

The conversation, which also featured Big Lez, Saweetie, and Sierra Lever, was moderated by Laiya St. Clair.

American Rapper MC Lyte arrives at Humans of Hip Hop (LA): “She’s Iconic: A Salute to Women in Hip Hop” at Amazon Studios on June 18, 2024 in Culver City, California.

Anna Webber/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Music artists MC Lyte, Saweetie, acclaimed dancer, choreographer, and host Leslie Segar, known as Big Lez, and Sierra Lever, Head of HipHop and R&B at Amazon Music, dropped gems on their respective roles as women dominating in Hip-Hop spaces on Tuesday afternoon (June 18). Presented by MusiCares, in partnership with Vivid Seats and H3 contributor Amazon Music, the event, named She’s Iconic: A Salute To Women In Hip Hop’ Panel, extended its Humans of Hip-Hop initiative.

At the Amazon lot in Culver City, Calif., dozens of industry movers and shakers came together to soak up knowledge from the esteemed panelists. With an introduction from Amazon Music’s Jameka Pankey, the conversation was led by Laiya St. Clair. The intimate conversation began by reflecting on the past.

Rapper MC Lyte arrives at Humans of Hip Hop (LA): “She’s Iconic: A Salute to Women in Hip Hop” at Amazon Studios on June 18, 2024 in Culver City, California.

Anna Webber/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

“I think we running it,” declares MC Lyte in regards to the current landscape of women in Hip-Hop as the audience applauded. “It’s so refreshing to see as many women with the microphone right now.”

She continued, “I’ve seen a lot. I think as I’ve gotten older, the things that I have seen, now understand how horrific they were. But when you’re living through it’s like, oh, that’s the normal thing, that this promoter doesn’t pay you or the guys on the bill want you to go first even though you are more than worthy to head the bill. It’s little things like that. But I think the time that we’re living in now, everyone just has to understand women are bosses.”

“We’ve come through the trenches and we’re getting what we deserve now, which is the light, no pun intended,” she laughed.

American Rapper and singer Saweetie, American Rapper MC Lyte, Dancer and choreographer Leslie “Big Lez” Segar, Head of HipHop and R&B at Amazon Music Sierra Lever, Head of Events and Experiential for Artists at Amazon Music Jameka Pankey and Musical artist Laiya St. Clair arrive at Humans of Hip Hop (LA): “She’s Iconic: A Salute to Women in Hip Hop” at Amazon Studios on June 18, 2024 in Culver City, California.

Anna Webber/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Saweetie also shared her input on the state of female Hip-Hop from a more modern perspective as the conversation continued.

“I feel like it’s two sides to the community I’m currently placed in. When there is women empowerment it’s a beautiful thing, you feel like it’s a real sisterhood. However, in my experience, I’ve never had a mentor, I’ve been out here with no guidance and I never had somebody reach out to me to just check on me.”

MC Lyte interjected, “I did,” informing Saweetie of a past DM that was unfortunately unread as she wishes she had seen it. Together, the “Icy Girl” performer and the “Lyte As A Rock” rhymer shared a heartwarming moment, with the veteran extending an open ear and heart.

“Just know that I am here,” encouraged Lyte. “That means the world, it’s priceless,” responded Saweetie.

American rapper and singer Saweetie attends Humans of Hip Hop (LA): “She’s Iconic: A Salute to Women in Hip Hop” at Amazon Studios on June 18, 2024 in Culver City, California.

Anna Webber/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

The Bay Area rapper continued to explain, “There are times in this business where it feels like women empowerment is a monopoly… So I do feel like we do have room to grow however there are beautiful moments where we do see women come together, even behind the scenes… it’s a give-and-take moment but hopefully we can progress to a culture where we know that we have a sisterhood because we all go through the same things.

The “Best Friend” chart topper went on, “I try not to take anything too personal. We’re all business women and we’re all trying to make a name for ourselves but it’s a golden age for women in Hip-Hop. It’s so beautiful to see all the skin tones, all the styles, all the flows… Although we have room to grow I feel like we are going in the right direction.”

Head of HipHop and R&B at Amazon Music Sierra Lever, American Rapper and singer Saweetie, American rapper MC Lyte, Dancer and choreographer Leslie “Big Lez” Segar and musical artist Laiya St. Clair arrive at Humans of Hip Hop (LA): “She’s Iconic: A Salute to Women in Hip Hop” at Amazon Studios on June 18, 2024 in Culver City, California.

Anna Webber/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

Elsewhere in the hour-long session, Big Lez spoke about the importance of physical health, networking across, and how her faith impacts her career journey. Sierra Lever described how she pivoted from a career in the sports industry to music, gaining mentorship and hands-on experience through determination along the way.

MC Lyte also announced the next single from her album due later his year features Hip-Hop Icon Queen Latifah and is set to drop later this month. The first single “Woman” was released in March.

“Get your check-ups,” closed acclaimed dancer and choreographer Big Lez. “Move with integrity. Hone your skills!”

Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox