MC Lyte, whose birth name is Lana Moorer, is hailed as one of the leading hip hop feminists in the world of music today. She came onto the music scene in the 1980s at a time when women had few female hip hop stars to look up to and model themselves after personally and professionally. She has a long and widely respected career in music and acting alike. Today she has an MC Lyte net worth that stands at $8 million, a figure that reflects her hard work and pioneering efforts in an industry that, until recently, lacked few distinguished female headliners.
MC Lyte actually began her musical endeavors at the young age of 12. She perfected her rhyming skills, writing songs well before her actual foray into music in 1986. In 1988, she released her debut album Lyte as a Rock, which met well with high marks from both fans and critics. From this debut album she released singles like “Paper Thin” and “10% Dis.” She followed this successful album with another, entitled Eyes on This, which hit the market in 1989. After her fourth album was released in 1993, a work called Ain’t No Other, she was nominated for a Grammy for her song “Ruffneck,” making her the first female hip hop star to be nominated for this award in her own right. At this pinnacle, she began collaborating with notable artists like Janet Jackson and Brandy.
To date, she has six studio albums to her credit, two of which have gone gold. She has expanded her recording career to contributing to the soundtracks for video games, including 2005’s NBA Live. In addition to being nominated for another Grammy award for her song Ride Wit Me,” she also was nominated for a BET award for that same single. She has worked with Jermaine Dupri, Jamie Foxx, and other industry heavyweights on her most recent creations.
How Much Is MC Lyte Worth Now?
Her MC Lyte net worth of $8 million stems in part from her other professional endeavors, notwithstanding her forays into acting and fashion. She has appeared in a number of TV shows, including In Living Color, the comedy program that starred Jamie Foxx and comedian Jim Carey. She also has appeared in shows like MTV Unplugged, Moesha, New York Undercover, My Wife and Kids, and Cousin Skeeter. She also has done stage acting, appearing in the off-Broadway play Club Twelve, which also starred fellow performers Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, and Lisa Nicole Carson.
She additionally does voiceover work to add to her net worth. She has done voiceovers for The Boot, a program that was aired on BET. She likewise has voiced commercials for brands like AT&T, Tide, and The National Urban League. She works closely with Michael Jordan, being one of his favorite deejays. She deejayed at his 50th birthday party, his wedding reception, and also at Jay Leno’s farewell party.
A talented business woman, MC Lyte recently opened a boutique in Los Angeles. The store is called Shaitel and specializes in selling new and vintage accessories, including belts, sunglasses, and other similar items. She also heads up her own production company called Sunni Gyrl, Inc. With her company, she produces, creates, and consults on projects within the film and music industries. Now 30 years into her career as a singer, songwriter, producer, and actress, MC Lyte is a welcomed speaker around the country, often giving presentations and speeches at colleges and for humanitarian organizations. She donates a portion of her net worth to her favorite charities and even funds several scholarships.