Easy methods to have the perfect Sunday in L.A., in response to MC Lyte
“I at all times stated I wasn’t going to do one other winter in New York, however then when that snowstorm occurred I used to be like, ‘Oh my God. I gotta get out of right here,’” the Brooklyn native recollects.
In Sunday Funday, L.A. individuals give us a play-by-play of their preferrred Sunday round city. Discover concepts and inspiration on the place to go, what to eat and how one can get pleasure from life on the weekends.
The hip-hop legend — the primary Grammy-nominated feminine rapper — additionally had her sights set on pursuing an appearing and voice-over profession in Hollywood. She’s since hosted a number of awards reveals and starred in TV reveals and movies like “Women Journey,” “S.W.A.T.” and “New York Undercover.”
She nonetheless visits her beloved hometown regularly, however says “L.A. to me is a better lifestyle and it additionally permits me to be a little bit bit extra introspective” and benefit from the outside.
This 12 months has been a very celebratory — and busy — one for MC Lyte as she’s been celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of hip-hop music. In August, MC Lyte was featured within the Netflix sequence “Women First: A Story of Ladies in Hip-Hop,” on which she can be an govt producer. The four-part documentary, which was produced by Tradition Home Mediaexplores the customarily neglected function that girls have, and nonetheless play, within the style.
“What it means to me is the whole lot as a result of I’m at all times making an attempt to a shine the sunshine on newcomers in addition to those that have been round for a very long time,” says MC Lyte, who additionally celebrated the thirty fifth birthday of her debut album, “Lyte as a Rock,” this 12 months.
On the Sundays when MC Lyte hasn’t been touring all weekend, she likes to select up a cortado from considered one of her favourite espresso outlets, go on a motorbike trip and hearken to reggae music on the seaside. Right here, she takes us alongside on her excellent Sunday in L.A.
This interview has been frivolously edited and condensed for size and readability.
7 a.m.: Rise early and choose up a cortado
On the right Sunday, I’m most likely waking up at 7 a.m. I prefer to get out earlier than the solar actually makes its transfer as a result of it jogs my memory of house. I like the sensation of being out earlier than everybody else is or being up no less than. I’d go to a espresso store referred to as Video games N Groundswhich I actually love. It’s additionally a sport retailer, so you may play all various kinds of video games. They promote board video games and all types of card video games, and issues of that nature. I like the group really feel of that place, so I normally go there, get a cortado or a latte if I’m feeling actually frisky with the additional milk. I’d most likely take my drink to go and go for a drive.
9 a.m.: Hop on a motorbike on the seaside and discover, then get tacos
I’d drive to Santa Monica seaside and lease a motorbike, then go previous Venice to Marina Del Rey. There’s a cute little Mexican spot there referred to as Cape Cantina that I prefer to get tacos and chill on the market for a minute. I additionally prefer to get chips and contemporary guacamole. I like the rooster and steak fajita. I’m a combo fajita woman with corn tortillas — I attempt to stick to if I can after which perhaps a margarita. I’m an important individuals watcher when persons are not watching me (laughs).
2 p.m.: Submit up on the seaside and hearken to reggae
Then I’d most likely get on my bike and undergo a few streets and have a look at the houses as a result of I like structure and design. Then I’ll name up a good friend. It is determined by whether or not I really feel like speaking or listening, and if I’m not in that temper, I’ll simply sit down proper there on the seaside or on a bench and watch the solar go down.
If it’s my excellent Sunday although and it’s an imaginary world, I might put a reggae band down there on the seaside. Reggae music undoubtedly takes me again house to being a lot youthful and surrounded by a lot tradition. It additionally jogs my memory of simply being on an island, which is at all times enjoyable to me. It was most likely one of many first genres that I grew to become acquainted with outdoors of my house. You recognize you spend all these years being influenced by the music that your mother and father listened to or your older household listens to, after which lastly, you get to interrupt out and say “I like this. I need to hearken to this” and that was reggae for me. So it represents independence. It represents a circulate, laid again, easiness (and) laying all of your cares down.
6 p.m.: Dinner at Cafe Gratitude
With a trip like that, I’d most likely finish it off with some extra meals. If I’m down in that Venice/Marina Del Rey space, I would go to Cafe Gratitude in Venice. They’ve so many good issues on the menu. The cauliflower there, I actually, actually love and so they have so many bowls that I get into. I just like the “I Am Loving” bowl.
7 p.m. Loosen up at Rafi Lounge (and return rental bike)
After that, I would go to my good friend Rafi’s place — it’s referred to as Rafi Lounge. It’s on PCH, throughout from Nobu and the Soho Home. It’s only a actually chill place to be. Nice vibe. Normally they’ve some sort of programming, whether or not it’s a band or meditation. It’s one thing straightforward in order that I don’t actually have to leap into the Sunday site visitors to get again house.
8:30 p.m. Drive house to some oldies and take a bubble tub
I’ve lots approaching on Monday, so I’d most likely trip again house to some Isley (Brothers) — the perfect of — or Earth, Wind and Hearth, one thing that form of connects me to house, household and security. Then perhaps take a bubble tub and get into mattress. On a perfect Sunday, I’d prefer to be in mattress by 9:30 p.m.
