Rapper, disc jockey, entrepreneur, and actress Lana Michele Moorer better known by her stage name, MC Lyte, is not only known for albums like “Ruffneck” and “Paper Thin,” but also because technology was so important to the creation of her music.
She draws particular attention to how technology influenced the creation of her debut album, Lyte As A Rock.
MC Lyte stated to AfroTech, “Well, every bit of recording for my musical projects was done with the aid of technology. My first album was mostly recorded on a Tascam drum machine. Using sequencers, programmers, and drum machines, we investigated new technologies. We played around with gates, modules, and echo chambers. Every time I visit the studio, I get to see what new experiments can be done”.
Through a new partnership with Black Girls Code, she is fusing technology and music once more. She will be a celebrity judge on their newest nationwide initiative, “Build a Beat Challenge with Ciara,” alongside music producer Craig King, Grammy Award-winning artiste and producer Bosko Kante, and Rock the Bells president. James Cuthbert, among others.
Contestants between the ages of 13 and 18 will be required to code their songs. If they are selected as the winners, they will have the opportunity to video call Grammy Award winner Ciara Princess Harris.
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“This generation’s youth are brimming with innovative concepts. According to MC Lyte, this challenge will spark the creativity of people who enjoy coding and are motivated to create music.
“I am a huge fan of MC Lyte. Once more, our goal was to select judges who were highly deliberate in their selection. Among them is James Cuthbert, president of Rock the Bells, who is devoted to ensuring that opportunity is available to all members of our communities”, Cristina Jones, CEO of Black Girls Code told AfroTech.
Jones, who started working at Black Girls Code in October 2023, is committed to continuing the nonprofit’s legacy.
“We want to meet the girls where they are here at Black Girls Code. If you look at the numbers, there are only 3% black women working in these tech positions. They don’t recognize themselves in this setting. They are not adequately represented in this area. We therefore decided to start meeting them where they are and demonstrating to them the fun that technology can have in assisting them in pursuing their passions, which include gaming, movies, sports, and music, among other things.”