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KC Soundcheck: SleazyWorld Skyy and Shay Lyriq

Two women sitting inside a radio studio talk at microphones.
Carlos Moreno
/
KCUR 89.3
Local hip hop artists Sky Callie, left, and Shay Lyriq talk about their experiences in the music business on KCUR's Up To Date on Aug. 11, 2023.

This year marks hip-hop's 50th anniversary, and rappers SleazyWorld Skyy and Shay Lyriq are the latest Kansas City artists making their mark on the national scene.

The two Kansas City artists on this installment of Up to Date’s KC Soundcheckare breaking barriers and gaining recognition for their skills and creativity in a male-dominated music industry.

Female rappers like Queen Latifah, MC Lyte and Lil Kim have contributed to the evolution of hip hop from the very beginning, pushing boundaries and introducing new styles and flows. They’ve challenged stereotypes and provided a platform for women's voices to be heard.

SleazyWorld Skyy, also known as Sky Callie, is a rapper out of Kansas City who recently got signed to Switches the Label, a record label led by well-known Kansas City rapper SleazyWorld Go. Her most recent EP, "Switch Princess," came out this year.

"I've written about some happy moments, some boy drama, girl drama, really everything," Skyy said. "I'm getting more comfortable about making music about my feelings, relationships and how I feel about certain situations.

Shay Lyriq is a Kanas City native and graduate of Northwest Missouri State. Lyric says she's had a passion for music since she was a teen, and remembers listening together with her dad.

"The more I did it, the more I fell in love with it," Lyric said. qIt just became a passion and it became something that I couldn't eat, breathe or sleep without it."

Shay Lyriq recently released the EP "ILLA CITY SUMMERS."

As Skyy and Lyric both climbs the ranks in the hip hop world, they understand the importance and vital role of shaping the culture and ensuring that hip hop remains inclusive and representative of all voices.

Stay Connected
When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.
As an assistant producer on Up To Date, my goal is to amplify voices of people who serve as pioneers in their respective fields while shedding light on issues that affect underserved communities. I produce daily conversations to uplift and inspire the people of the Kansas City area to make the world a better place. You can reach me at reginalddavid@kcur.org.
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