MC Lyte‘s is set to be honored this week at the first SEED Summit + Awards, founded by industry veteran Valeisha Butterfield.
Taking place March 22-24 at the 1 Hotel in Los Angeles, news of Lyte being honored for her “power of storytelling” was announced on Thursday (March 21).
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“The power of storytelling transforms lives and as we celebrate this tremendous milestone with our inaugural SEED Summit + Awards, the culture stands together for the launch of SEED,” Butterfield said in a statement.
“Illuminating the most iconic stories and people of our generation is our mission as we plant seeds into the next generation of creators, storytellers, leaders and professionals following in our footsteps.”
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MC Lyte will be honored on Saturday evening (March 23) alongside Massah David and Miatta Johnson and Dr. Lynn Richardson.
Other creators, executives and artists participating in the SEED Summit earlier that day will be Bryan-Michael Cox, Melanie Fiona and Estelle, 11th & Co chairman/CEO Ebonie Ward, Kickstarter CEO Everette Taylor, Franklin Entertainment’s DeVon Franklin and Reign Ventures’ Monique Ludlett.
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In a joint statement, honorees MC Lyte and Dr. Lynn Richardson commented: “Valeisha’s entire life and career have been dedicated to elevating the culture, so to be recognized with this inaugural award, we’re humbled and grateful. We commit to continuing to plant seeds into the next generation of creators and artists.”
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The Brooklyn icon has been acting on her promise for a number of years. Back in January, she added herself to the growing list of supporters of viral 5-year-old rap sensation VanVan.
Upon the release of the tiny rhymer’s single “Pull Out The Keys” on New Year’s Day, 2024, Lyte was so impressed that she shared a snippet of the video to her own page.
“Let’s go @therealvanvan_ #PullOutTheKeys,” she wrote.
In the clip, VanVan (real name Savannah McConneaughey) rocks a fresh pair of Js as she dances to the fun anthem, rapping: “So fresh, so clean/ I’m an OutKast, my flow’s mean!”
MC Lyte has always been an advocate for women and girls in Hip Hop (even teeny tiny ones).
The “Ice Cream Dream” rapper spoke to Hip Hop Wired before the I AM Woman event at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. in June of 2023. The second annual event, which celebrates women in Hip Hop, had the history-maker reflect on what the culture would look like without female influences.
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“The importance of the 50th is that it started 50 years ago, and it’s still going,” she said. “So everybody’s participation is important whether it started it or helped to maintain it, or helped to propel it into other areas. I’m excited to be a part of anything that has lasted 50 years.”
She added: “Everybody has their own relationship with Hip-Hop – it’s almost like a person. We do know that it has inspired all of us in one way or another.”
