Last week I had the good fortune of visiting Millersville University in Pennsylvania. Before stepping behind the podium I sat and had dinner with with about 15 students representing the NAACP and other organizations within the school.

As we ate on some good food, the students began to ask me questions. I’m almost certain, “How do you feel about Nicki?” came second in the lineup. I’ve grown quite accustomed to being asked that seeing as I must be an expert on “The Female mc” (joking). Anyhow, along with having to give an answer comes a bit of frustration because most people believe they already know my point of view, when sad to say, they don’t.

I addressed the question with pure honesty and when escorted to speak to the entire student body, I quickly focused on the topic before forging ahead to a more prepared speech — seems to be the question to ask another female MC. Although now it’s gone on for too long, really.

Let me be clear, I am a fan of Hip-Hop and all the elements involved. I am also a fan of women who persevere and make it in this male dominated field no matter how difficult it may seem. Bottom line is this: I support ALL women in hip-hop. I acknowledge liking one does not mean I dislike another. Frankly, that’s pretty idiotic for me to have endured the hardships of being a female MC and not have love for my sisters that go through similar circumstances. Although things may look rosy on the outside, this is still a man’s sport and women have to deal with a silent discrimination that goes on daily.

And so that everyone is clear, I am a fan of both Lil Kim and Nicki Minaj.

Lil Kim single handedly said the things most of us wanted to say but didn’t have the balls to. Well, maybe not EVERYTHING, but definitely some. The quality I love most about Kim is she does it like SHE wants. She’s unashamed and unapologetic for her outspoken lyrics, images, and style. She’s hammered out hit after hit and whenever I drop a Kim track at a club, it gets the party elevated. We all await new Kim music!

On the other hand, the acknowledgment given at my speech regarding Nicki being a businesswoman is factual, me saying she intertwines pop with her music is evident to the tune of over 1.6 mil X $9.99 in sales — you do the math. So much so, that Nicki Minaj has outsold Rihanna, and in today’s climate for a female MC to have such an accomplishment, she ought to be recognized. Only Lauryn Hill (with more than 13 million albums sold) has reached that level of success when it comes to album sales for women in hip hop. And in her time, Lauryn also regularly beat out her competitors in all genres of music: pop, hip-hop, and R&B.

I’m not here to evaluate how squeaky clean or how dirty an MC’s lyrics are, after all you’re reading this blog written by someone who wrote a song called, “F*ck that M*thaf*ckin” Bullsh*t. The verdict as to whether people are interested in that kind of music can be found in a weekly music report called Soundscan, PERIOD.

I speak my truth, but in addition to that, I speak MY opinion. It is not law; some will disagree with what I say and, you know what?… that’s ok! I respect others’ opinions, but to be clear, the hateful remarks about what I’ve done for hip-hop and who I am don’t move me — I am unbreakable. I will always speak what I feel and no one or no thing can shut me down, not even hate.

Love rules all and Lyte is Love.

– Lyte