What first brought MC Lyte to Los Angeles? The historic New York blizzard of 1996.
“I always said I wasn't going to spend another winter in New York, but when that snowstorm happened I thought, 'Oh my God. I have to get out of here,'” the Brooklyn native recalls.
In Sunday Funday, the people of Los Angeles tell us step by step their ideal Sunday in the city. Find ideas and inspiration on where to go, what to eat and how to enjoy life on the weekends.
The hip-hop legend, the first female rapper to be nominated for a Grammy, also had her sights set on pursuing an acting and voice-over career in Hollywood. Since then, she has hosted several award shows and starred in television shows and movies such as “Girls Trip,” “SWAT” and “New York Undercover.”
She still visits her beloved hometown regularly, but says, “For me, Los Angeles is an easier way of life and also allows me to be a little more introspective” and enjoy the outdoors.
This year has been particularly festive and busy for MC Lyte, as he has been celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop music. In August, MC Lyte appeared in the Netflix series “Ladies First: A History of Women in Hip-Hop”, in which she is also an executive producer. The four-part documentary, which was produced by House of Culture Mediaexplores the often overlooked role that women have and continue to play in the genre.
“What it means to me is everything because I'm always trying to shine a light on newcomers as well as those that have been around for a long time,” says MC Lyte, who also celebrated the 35th birthday of his debut album. “Lyte as a Rock”, this year.
On Sundays, when MC Lyte hasn't traveled all weekend, he likes to have a vino at one of his favorite coffee shops, go for a bike ride, and listen to reggae music on the beach. Here he takes us on his perfect Sunday in Los Angeles.
This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for length and clarity.
7 am: Get up early and have a drink
On the perfect Sunday, I probably wake up at 7am. I like to go out before the sun really moves because it reminds me of home. I love the feeling of leaving before everyone else or at least getting up. I would visit a coffee shop called Games N Lands, which I really love. It's also a game store, so you can play all kinds of games. They sell board games and all kinds of card games and things like that. I love the community feel of that place, so I usually go there and have a picado or a café con leche if I'm feeling really frisky with the extra milk. I'd probably take my drink to go for a walk.
9 a.m.: Hop on a bike on the beach and explore, then grab tacos.
I would drive to Santa Monica Beach and rent a bike, then ride through Venice to Marina Del Rey. There's a cute little Mexican place called Cape Cantina I like to eat tacos and relax for a minute. I also like to eat chips and fresh guacamole. I love the chicken and steak fajita. I'm a girl who combines fajitas with corn tortillas; I try to keep going if I can and then maybe a margarita. I'm a great people watcher when people aren't looking at me. [laughs].
2 pm: Post on the beach and listen to reggae.
Then I would probably get on my bike and ride a couple of streets and look at the houses because I love architecture and design. Then I can call a friend. It depends on whether I feel like talking or listening, and if I'm not in that mood, I just sit right there on the beach or on a bench and watch the sun go down.
However, if it were my perfect Sunday and it was an imaginary world, I would play a reggae band on the beach. Reggae music definitely reminds me of being much younger and surrounded by so much culture. It also reminds me of being on an island, which I always find relaxing. It was probably one of the first genres I encountered outside of home. You know you spend all these years being influenced by the music that your parents or your older family listened to and finally you can escape and say, “I like this. I want to hear this” and that was reggae for me. So it represents independence. It represents fluidity, tranquility, tranquility. [and] leaving all your worries aside.
6 pm: Dinner at Café Gratitud
With a trip like that, I'd probably end it with more food. If I'm in that Venice/Marina Del Rey area, I might go to Gratitude Coffee in Venice. They have so many good things on the menu. The cauliflower in there, I really love it and they have so many bowls that I dig into. I like the “I Am Loving” bowl.
19:00 Relax at Rafi Lounge (and return rental bike)
After that, maybe visit my friend Rafi's house, it's called Rafi Lounge. It's on PCH, across from Nobu and Soho House. It's just a really peaceful place to be. Great atmosphere. They usually have some type of programming, whether it's band or meditation. It's an easy thing to avoid having to get into Sunday traffic to get home.
8:30 pm Come home with some classics and take a bubble bath.
I have a lot going on Monday, so I'd probably head home to some Isley. [Brothers] – the best of – or Earth, Wind and Fire, something that connects me to home, family and safety. Then maybe take a bubble bath and go to bed. On an ideal Sunday, I would like to be in bed by 9:30 p.m.
