Hip-Hop Legend MC Lyte Defends Iggy Azalea

By Qimmah Saafir Apr 29, 2015

Rap legend MC Lyte visited New York radio station Hot 97 and shared her thoughts on a variety of topics including female MCs. When asked about Australia Denative Iggy Azalea, Lyte’s response was contrary to the popular sentiment within the hip hop community that Azalea is one of the main offenders when it comes to the misappropriation of black culture. Lyte, a veteran in the art form joined Lupe Fiasco, will.i.am and Questlove in defending Azalea.

Iggy’s style is different. You know, people want to get on her because of wherever she’s from. Wherever she’s from really doesn’t matter. She has a love of the craft, of the art. And the reason why I can say it and mean it is because one of the first tours I ever did was in Denmark, Copenhagen and everybody in the audience looked just like her. Hip-hop is universal, no color lines.

Lyte, who recently released, “Legend,” her first album in 12 years, also says that there’s nothing wrong with Azalea faking a down South accent. 

Every time we see an English actor, they’re putting it on to act like an American. We don’t get on Idris when he has to act like a homeboy from Baltimore to make his job work. It’s a job, you know. But with Iggy, I think she catches a lot of heat because she’s so damn confident, you know. It’s a Catch 22. You wanna be humble but if you’re too humble, they’ll tear you up. So she’s caught between a rock and a hard place.

Watch the full interview above. Lyte’s comments on Azalea fall at the 9:37 and the 11:06 marks.