MC Lyte’s “Cha Cha Cha” was the single that introduced her second studio album, Eyes on This. King of Chill wrote “Cha Cha Cha” with MC Lyte, and he produced its futuristic sound. Lyte’s distinct alto asserted her lyrical mastery and triumph over lesser rappers. She dissed all contenders with a precise flow that was more focused on her audience than inviting a rival to a battle. The video and the album cover for Eyes on This have become iconic for their early depictions of New York City and Golden Era rap. Lyte made history with her 1988 debut, Lyte as a Rock, because she was the first woman rapper to release a full-length album. She did it again with her sophomore album because it made the Billboard 200 chart, which no other solo woman rapper had achieved up to that point. In 2014, MC Lyte performed the song for President Obama for the 50th anniversary of the legislation that created the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. “Cha Cha Cha” is a seminal hip-hop song and has influenced many artists years after its release, including Lil’ Kim, Rick Ross, Jack White, and more. MC Lyte released her 10th studio album, 1 of 1 in 2024.
