With the upcoming 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards filming at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center on September 28, Billboard revealed today that MC Lyte will be receiving a lifetime honor award. The Brooklyn native who helped make First Priority Records (along with affiliates Audio Two) a destination label in the 1980s, and in doing so, made lyrical hits like “Cha Cha Cha,” radio anthems such as “Cold Rock A Party,” storytelling tragedies like “Georgia,” and the hardcore Hip-Hop relationship anthem “Ruffneck.”

Sporadically releasing music in her 25th year, Lyte keeps busy with the Hip Hop Sisters Foundation, which provides a full scholarship to a deserving four-year college student, and the corresponding Hip Hop Sisters Network, through which female artists can showcase their talents.

Past honorees include Rakim, Grandmaster Flash, Russell Simmons and Salt-n-Pepa. Later this year, Lyte will appear alongside The Lady Of Rage, Monie Love, Yo-Yo, Smooth and Lil’ Mama in “Hip-Hop Sisters,” a BET reality series.

Lyte, we salute you!

The special airs October 15 on BET.

Related: Living Legends: MC Lyte (Playlist)