Hi, my name is MC Lyte. The first album I ever bought was Grease. [LAUGH] It was the soundtrack to Grease. And the first little 45 I've I ever purchased was Second Time Around by Shalamar. The truth. There's so many favorite moments throughout my career. One was, of course, opening for Janet Jackson on her world tour. I mean Come on. You know what I mean? I was twenty something. It was just, yes. And then of course, there was being nominated for my first Grammy. I was in the category with Dre and Snoop, so, so goes that one. But at least I was Included and acknowledged, recognized for my works. There's not enough of female rappers on the forefront or in mainstream. And what I say to that is just to keep on pushing, because it's definitely known that our voices are vital to this culture And so I say keep pressing on. The secret to my longevity really isn't a secret. It's just being open, as I will allow myself to be from moment to moment, and then also having a team of people that actually make everything happen. Because I can want it to last forever but I certainly can't move the needle by myself. I believe my purpose in life is to inspire, by any means necessary, so be it through music, through poetry, in any way I want to convey to the listener that they can be Be bigger, greater, unstoppable even. And to take no time for granted. You know from the words of one of the true masters of songwriting, Baby Face. He says, in order to write a great song you have to have a little bit of spontaneity, but it has to fit into the realm and the structure Of a song. And then also he says that you should be able to read the words from front to back and it read like a letter. It has to make sense. And I love that, and I actually take that into account when I write. As I move forward, the most recent body of work That follows me will always feel like, that's the one. That's the one. But in performing those songs, I love doing Light as a Rock, and [UNKNOWN] Party, and Poor Georgie, and Rough Neck, and Cha Cha Cha. I like to have just as much fun as the audience when I perform, so join me at this year's Essence Festival in New Orleans. Buy your tickets now! [MUSIC]