Michael Dyson, MC Lyte Close Spring Classes with Lecture on Hip-Hop Culture

Delta Zeta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity is hosting renowned academic Michael Eric Dyson and legendary female emcee MC Lyte for its annual “Truth Be Told” event on Tuesday, April 30, at 7 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel.

Both speakers will share their views and engage in a panel-style discussion on the 21st-century hip-hop culture, including its contributions to American culture and the sociological effects it has on our communities as a whole. The event is co-sponsored by the NAACP. It is free and open to the public.

Delta Zeta Chapter’s “Truth Be Told” program is aimed at bringing influential speakers to campus to share their views on a variety of topics. Last year’s guest was Cornel West, who spoke about the “new youth movement.”

Dyson, an acclaimed academic, author, political commentator and television and radio personality, is known for his views and teachings on race and class in America. He has written numerous books, including “Come Hell or High Water: Hurricane Katrina and the Color of Disaster” (Basic Civitas Books, 2007), which highlights the political and social repercussions following Hurricane Katrina. Dyson was also coauthor (with Sohail Daulatzal) of “Born to Use Mics: Reading Nas’s Illmatic” (Basic Civitas Books, 2009), which highlights the composition and intricacies of one of hip-hop’s most influential albums.

In the late 1980s, MC Lyte proved herself to be a trailblazer, becoming the first solo female rapper to release a full-length album, titled “Lyte as a Rock.” She followed this debut with a series of successful projects, including “Eyes on This” and “Act Like You Know.” After the conclusion of her successful rap career, MC Lyte began working in television, making both on-screen appearances and doing voice-over work.

For more information on the event, contact Kwasi Boadi at kboadi3191@gmail.com or Kishauna Soljour at kesoljou@syr.edu.