MC Lyte honored for decades of advocacy as she fights for artists to get paid
The hip-hop pioneer received the SoundExchange Music Fairness Award for pushing Congress to secure performance royalties for recording artists.
MC Lyte has received the SoundExchange Music Fairness Award for her advocacy on behalf of recording artists seeking performance royalties from terrestrial radio. The recognition adds another milestone to a year that has already included her Rock Hall selection and follows decades of community work.
SoundExchange announced the honor Wednesday, saying the pioneering rapper has repeatedly used her platform to push Congress to pass the American Music Fairness Act. The legislation would require terrestrial radio broadcasters to pay performance royalties to artists and sound recording copyright holders when their recordings are played over the air.
In 2024, Lyte joined Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of Run-DMC and Melle Mel on Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers about the bill. SoundExchange said she returned to Congress this summer to continue pressing legislators to act.
“Advocacy has always been part of my purpose,” Lyte said while accepting the honor. She added that creators deserve to be respected, protected and fairly compensated for the music and culture they contribute.
SoundExchange President and CEO Michael Huppe praised Lyte for breaking barriers and using her voice to push for changes that benefit creators. The organization’s Music Fairness Award recognizes artists who advocate for changes to federal copyright law and support the American Music Fairness Act.
The proposal was reintroduced in Congress in 2025. Under current federal law, nonsubscription terrestrial radio stations generally do not have to obtain a sound recording performance license, while many digital and satellite services do. The proposed legislation would establish a performance right for sound recordings played by terrestrial broadcasters, with special provisions for smaller stations.
Lyte’s advocacy stretches back decades. She participated in the Stop the Violence movement in 1989 and appeared on “Self Destruction” alongside artists including KRS-One, Kool Moe Dee, Chuck D and Flavor Flav.
She also founded the Hip Hop Sisters Foundation, which focuses on self-esteem and financial literacy for women and young people, and operates Lyte Up Your Empire to help developing artists understand the music business.