How To Be Outside Inside, Featuring MC Lyte

MC Lyte is foundational—Queens-born, Brooklyn-bred, and indisputably part of the city’s musical backbone. When she wants the New York energy without the rush, her blueprint is blissfully unfussy. In this edition of How to Be Outside, Inside, the 1 of 1 rapper sketches a low-key agenda from Brownsville to Central Park.

When you want to be “outside” without really being outside, where do you go in NYC? 

Brooklyn’s own, The Velvet Room! It’s the best little hideaway spot in BK. My nieces actually own the dimly-lit hot spot. [They] serve up mean dishes from wings and things to lollipop lamb chops. I love getting a table and melting into the scene as the music bumps the night away. 

What does your perfect NYC day look like, from morning to night?

I start off with a great latte from Vanilla Gorilla Coffee in Hell’s Kitchen and then a walk to Central Park. I love being outside, so any part of the city is suitable. 

I might grab a Citi bike if the weather is right and make my way uptown. If time allows, I’ll ride to Brooklyn and visit all of my folks I haven’t seen in a while.

A good friend is a super successful realtor in NY, and I’ll take a look at some of the properties. I’ll end off with the sunset on the west side highway and take it all in. A quiet dinner at an unknown, very understated restaurant near midtown, and call it a night!