MC Lyte Defends Sexyy Red Amidst Criticism, Sparking Online Debate
3 min read
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In the midst of ongoing backlash against rapper Sexyy Red for her perceived vulgarity, fellow musician MC Lyte has come forward in her defense. In a June 29, 2024 interview with The Neighborhood Talk, MC Lyte addressed the criticism, noting:
“Nothing that we see is really new. We’ve all lived through the advent of My Neck, My Back (song by Khia), Trina, (Lil) Kim, Foxy… We’ve lived that; so nothing surprises us.”
Background on the Controversy
Janae Nierah Wherry, better known by her stage name Sexyy Red, skyrocketed to fame last year with her hit single “Poundtown.” However, her explicit lyrics have drawn significant criticism, with detractors arguing that female rappers often resort to vulgarity for attention. Critics claim that Wherry’s music sets a poor example for young women.
MC Lyte’s Defense
MC Lyte’s comments quickly went viral, drawing widespread support from fans. Many praised her for standing up for Sexyy Red, emphasizing that explicit content in music is not a new phenomenon. The debate MC Lyte’s remarks ignited online saw many fans agreeing that Sexyy Red’s content is reflective of a long-standing tradition in rap music. They argued that parents should take a more active role in monitoring what their children consume rather than blaming the artists.
Fan Reactions
Here are some notable comments from fans under @theneighborhoodtalk’s Instagram post:
“Exactly. Literally NOTHING we see is new. We just have social media.”
“This is literally exactly what I be saying! I love how she said this is how people talk to each other where she comes from. Like if you don’t get it then don’t listen to her! Lol but there are so many girls who are just like her who are enjoying her music and support her. If you don’t want your kids watching her then be a more proactive parent.”
“Facts !!!!! Cuz everybody always say kids watching but remember we was them same kids singing Look Back at It (Trina) so don’t try to downplay Sexy I’m rocking with her !! & she being herself I love it !!”
Others, however, felt that MC Lyte should not endorse such content, arguing that the quality of music from past female rappers, despite being raunchy, was superior.
“Someone’s opinion that actually holds weight is endorsing this.”
“Don’t come with that bullsh*t because unlike Sexy Red, none of them were promoting STDs and single mother homes!!”
“Nah disagree. Kim and them still made great quality music. It was raunchy but it was still good music. Sexy’s music is ghetto and trash.”
MC Lyte’s Perspective
In her interview, MC Lyte, whose real name is Lana Michele Moorer, emphasized that Sexyy Red’s music is a genuine reflection of her upbringing and environment.
“She didn’t pop out of a planet. She came from a neighborhood where this is how they speak to one another; this is how they communicate and so this is definitely art imitating life,” the rapper stated.
She added, “It appears to me that she’s being herself. Whenever you’re being yourself… like… how can anybody argue?”
Broader Discussion on Double Standards
MC Lyte’s comments echo ongoing discussions about double standards in the music industry. In an October 2023 essay for The Black Explosion, author Madison Korman pointed out that male rappers seldom face the same level of criticism for sexually explicit lyrics. Korman cited NLE Choppa’s 2022 track “Sl*t Me Out” as an example, which instead of drawing backlash, went viral and became a social media trend.
In a May 2023 interview with Complex, Sexyy Red herself addressed these double standards, stating:
“(Men) talk about fcking btches all day, every day in their songs. But when we get to talking about it, it’s a problem. But I don’t care what they think, because it’s not for the n*ggas, it’s for the girls.”
As of now, Sexyy Red has not publicly responded to MC Lyte’s supportive comments.
Shivam Kumar
Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....
