MC Lyte relased her first album in twelve years today. over eleven years. In keeping with her classic status, MC Lyte's new album "Legend" will be released as a limited edition vinyl collector's item. The album already registered on Billboard. "Dear John" featuring Oscar winner Common, hit the charts and Lyte also released the single "Check." The Legend LP also features Faith Evans, Kenny Lattimore, Coko, and Mario.

MC Lyte was the first female Hip Hop artist to release a solo album, "Lyte as a Rock." MC Lyte's last abum was "Da Underground Heat, Vol. 1" from 2002. Lyte has been focusing on acting. She appeared on "Strong Medicine" and "Half & Half. MC Lyte was also the first Black president of the Grammy's Los Angeles chapter.

MC Lyte's new album merges her classic with the new sounds of the 21st century. "Legend" will only be available in vinyl format for one day with digital downloads for album purchasers. It will be available at independent record stores across the country as part of Record Store Day.

For the album MC Lyte assembled "10 amazing musicians," according to the press release. "This project puts the edge, truth and melody back into Hip Hop. From hard hitting kicks and snares that represent the genre of Hip Hop to the new pad sounds and synths that take the listener beyond this moment and the heavy bass lines that give way for Lyte's showcase of pure lyricism, LEGEND is a perfect combination of what WAS and what IS and it's ALL MC Lyte . . . current but still way ahead of her time."

"MC Lyte has been bringing in that dough with her voice over work, but she's making her grand return to music with a new album," wrote Essence magazine.

"Legend" will combine her classic sound with a current, edgy one. She's picking independent record stores worldwide and will provide autograph copies as collector's items.

"The comeback in itself is an art. On LEGEND, however, MC Lyte doesn't appear to have any jet lag," wrote The Source Magazine in its review.

The rapper had previously released the single "Ball" which features Lil Mama & AV, a high energy, current track that "solidifies MC Lyte's position on the Hip Hop throne of musical relevance."

Dear John," which features Common and 10 Beats, was MC Lyte's first Billboard charting single in 11 years.