Yo-Yo (rapper)

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Yo-Yo
Yo yo-04.jpg
Yo-Yo in 1997
Born
Yolanda Whitaker

(1971-08-04) August 4, 1971 (age 50)
Compton, California, U.S.
Occupation
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
  • actress
Spouse(s)
DeAndre Windom
​
​
(m. 2013; div. 2018)​
Musical career
OriginSouth Central, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
GenresWest Coast hip hop
Years active1989–present
LabelsEast West America
Associated acts
Websiteyoyoschoolofhiphop.com

Yo-Yo (born Yolanda Whitaker; August 4, 1971)[1] is an American rapper and actress.

Much of Yo-Yo's music advocates for female empowerment and denouncing the frequent sexism and misogyny in hip-hop music. Yo-Yo is the protégé of gangsta rapper Ice Cube. Yo-Yo dubbed her crew the IBWC, for the Intelligent Black Woman's Coalition.[2]

Career[]

Music[]

Yo-Yo first appeared as a guest on Ice Cube's 1990 debut studio album AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted on the track "It's a Man's World".[3] Cube returned the favor by appearing on "You Can't Play with My Yo-Yo", on Yo-Yo's 1991 debut album, Make Way for the Motherlode.[3] Each of the videos for the singles from the album were directed by Okuwah Garrett of Power Films.

Her follow-up album released in 1992, Black Pearl,[3] was well received by critics,[4] partly because of its focus on positive messages and uplifting themes that heavily contrasted with the popular gangsta rap style at the time.[4] Despite a plethora of renowned producers such as DJ Muggs, this failed to translate into a hit with mainstream hip-hop audiences, and the album's sales were considered a disappointment.[4]

Less than a year later, Yo-Yo released her follow-up album, titled You Better Ask Somebody.[3] The final track on the album was her third recorded hip-hop duet with Ice Cube, "The Bonnie and Clyde Theme".[3]

Yo-Yo's next album, Total Control, was released in 1996.[3] In 1998, Yo-Yo finished her fifth studio album, Ebony, though it was not released. In 2008, her single, "You Can't Play With My Yo-Yo" was ranked number 92 on VH1's 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs.[5] Later that year, she performed with MC Lyte, The Lady of Rage, and Salt-N-Pepa at the BET Hip Hop Awards.

As of 2009, Yo-Yo has been working on an EP, titled My Journey to Fearless: The Black Butterfly.[6]

In 2013, it was announced she joined the upcoming BET reality series Hip Hop Sisters which will focus on six female rappers' lives and their attempts to relaunch their careers.[7] Other rappers confirmed to appear are MC Lyte, Lady of Rage, Monie Love, Lil Mama, and Smooth.[8]

Acting[]

Yo-Yo appeared in the 1991 film Boyz n the Hood. She had a recurring role on the television show Martin as Keylolo, the sidekick to comedian Martin Lawrence's alter ego Sheneneh. Yo-Yo also appeared on other TV shows, including the Fox network's New York Undercover. She made a cameo appearance in the music video for Missy Elliot's "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)". She also appeared in the 2004 video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas as the voice of Kendl Johnson.[9]

Personal life[]

Yo-Yo dated Tupac Shakur for some time in the 1990s. She was with Shakur in the hospital shortly before he died.[10] Later, Yo-Yo became engaged to DeAndre Windom, the former mayor of Highland Park, Michigan, in August 2012.[11] The two married on August 17,[12] 2013 in the Cayman Islands[13] and divorced in 2018.[14]

Yo-Yo has been active in advocating for hip-hop artists to become involved within their community. Notably, she testified in 1994 for a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing about whether the government should require rating labels on gangsta rap.[15] She also founded the Yo-Yo School of Hip-Hop to use hip-hop in curriculum for at-risk students.[16]

Discography[]

Studio albums[]

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
[17] 		US
R&B
/HH
[18]
Make Way for the Motherlode 74 5
Black Pearl
  • Released: June 23, 1992
  • Label: East West
  • Formats: CD, Cassette, digital download
 145 32
You Better Ask Somebody
  • Released: June 22, 1993
  • Label: East West
  • Formats: CD, LP, Cassette, digital download
 107 21
Total Control
  • Released: October 29, 1996
  • Label: East West
  • Formats: CD, LP, Cassette, digital download
 — 46
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Unreleased albums[]

EPs[]

List of extended plays
Title EP details Track listings
Hits Revealed: Yo Yo
  • Released: December 18, 2007[19]
  • Label: Music World
  • Formats: Digital download
Track listing

Singles[]

As lead artist[]

List of singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US Hot 100
[20] 		US R&B
[21] 		US Rap
[21]
"" 1990 — — 2 Make Way for the Motherlode
""
(featuring Ice Cube) 		1991 36 11 1
"" — 30 4
"Girl, Don't Be No Fool"[22] — — —
"" 1992 — 53 3 Black Pearl
"" — 74 11
"" 1993 —[a] — 1 You Better Ask Somebody
""
(featuring Ice Cube) 		72 37
"'" — — 14
"Give It T'um" 2009 — — — Non-album single
"Out of Control"
(featuring Patient Picasso, Brittany B. and Tyeler Reign) 		2019 — — — Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Featured singles[]

List of featured singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US Hot 100
[24] 		US Dance
[25] 		US R&B
[26] 		US Rap
[27] 		UK
[28]
"Get The Fist"
(As part of Get The Fist Movement)[29] 		1992 — — — — — Non-album single
"Romantic Call"
(Patra featuring Yo-Yo) 		1994 55 21 35 9 — Queen of the Pack
"Stomp (The Remixes)"
(Quincy Jones featuring Melle Mel, Coolio, Yo-Yo, Shaquille O'Neal, & The Luniz) 		1994 — 1 — — 28 Q's Jook Joint

Promotional singles[]

List of singles, showing year released and album name
Title Year Album
"Same Ol' Thang (Everyday)"[30] 1996 Total Control
"Steady Risin"[30]
"One For The Cuties"
(featuring MC Lyte)[30]
"Iz It Still All Good? (Something's On Your Mind)"
(featuring Gerald Levert)[30] 		1998 N/A
"Do You Wanna Ride"
(featuring Kelly Price)[30] 		N/A
"Push"[30] 1999 N/A

Miscellaneous appearances[]

  • 1990 – "It's a Man's World" (with Ice Cube) (AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted)
  • 1991 – "Debbie B. ft. Yo Yo - Pack Your Bags
  • 1991 – "Mama Don't Take No Mess" (Boyz in the Hood SDTK)
  • 1992 – "Get the Fist" (with B-Real, Ice Cube, J-Dee, Kam, King Tee, MC Eiht, Threat) (VA - Get the Fist Movement)
  • 1993 – "Romantic Call" (with Patra) (Queen of the Pack)
  • 1994 – "I Wanna Be Down (Remix)" (with Brandy, MC Lyte & Queen Latifah) (Baby CD SINGLE)
  • 1994 – "Sweet on You" (with Teena Marie) (Passion Play)
  • 1995 – "Freedom (Theme From Panther)" (with VA) (Panther SDTK)
  • 1995 – "Stomp" (with Coolio, Luniz, Melle Mel, Shaquille O'Neal) (Q's Jook Joint)
  • 1995 – "Crazay" (VA - Pump Ya Fist)
  • 1996 – "I Can't Take No More" (Girls Town SDTK)
  • 1997 – "Keep on Pushin'" (ft MC Lyte, Bahamadia, Nonchalant) (Dangerous Ground SDTK)
  • 1997 – "True Dat" (with Levert & Queen Pen) (The Whole Scenario)
  • 1999 – "Set Trippin'" (with Dresta, I Smooth 7) (VA - Gumbo Roots)
  • 2005 – "Mercedes Boy" (B-Side to Mobb Deep's "Get Twisted" 12")
  • 2005 – "Only 4 the Righteous" (with 2Pac) (The Rose, Vol. 2)
  • 2005 – "Boogie Oogie Oogie" (with Brooke Valentine & Lynden,Moet) (Roll Bounce SDTK)
  • 2009 – "Watcha Wan Do" (with DJ Quik, Kurupt & Problem) (BlaQKout)
  • 2009 – "Morning Comes" (with Ray J) (Non-Album Track)
  • 2010 – "Só Rezo 0.2" (with Nx Zero & Emicida) (Projeto Paralelo)

Filmography[]

Films[]

  • 1991 – Boyz n the Hood ... Girl at Party
  • 1993 – Who's the Man ... Herself
  • 1993 – Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit ... Sondra
  • 1994 – Adventures of D.P. Boys 17: South of the Border (V)
  • 1995 – Panther ... Pregnant Junkie
  • 1996 – Moesha ... Security Guard
  • 1997 – Sprung ... Sista #3
  • 1999 – After Stonewall ... Herself
  • 1999 – Beverly Hood ... Tilly
  • 1999 – The Breaks ... Loretha
  • 2000 – 3 Strikes ... Charita
  • 2000 – The Rev. DoWrong Ain't Right ...
  • 2002 – Paper Soldiers ... Judge Prince[31]

Television appearances[]

  • 1993 – Strapped (TV) ... Ann (1 episode)
  • 1993-1997 – "Martin" ... Keylolo (3 episodes)
  • 1995 – "New York Undercover" ... Nikki (1 episode)
  • 1997 – Trials of Life ... Jennifer (1 episode)
  • 1997 – "The Parent 'Hood" ... Audrey (1 episode)
  • 1998 – "The Jamie Foxx Show" ... Kierston (1 episode)
  • 2006 – 3rd Annual VH1 Hip-Hop Honors ... Herself
  • 2006 – "How Do I Look"... Herself
  • 2007 – "Parallel Paths" ... Herself (1 episode)
  • 2008 – Ego Trip's Miss Rap Supreme ... Co-Host (9 episodes)
  • 2008 – VH1's 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs ... Herself (4 episodes)
  • 2014 – 2014 Soul Train Music Awards ... Herself (special guest)
  • 2016 – VH1 Hip Hop Honors ... Herself (performer/special guest)
  • 2018 – Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G. ... Pretty Woman (1 episode)
  • 2019 – Basketball Wives ... Herself (season 8 - guest)
  • 2019 – Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood ... Herself (season 6 - main cast)

Voice work[]

Awards and nominations[]

Year Award
1995 MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best Rap Video for "I Wanna Be Down" (Remix) (featuring Brandy, MC Lyte and Queen Latifah)[citation needed]
1996 Grammy Award nomination for Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance - Duo or Group for "Stomp"[citation needed]

References[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ "IBWin' With My CREWin'" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 8 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100.[23]

Citations[]

  1. ^ Ron Wynn (August 4, 1971). "Yo-Yo | Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
  2. ^ "SUMMER SPLASH III". (May 26, 1991). L.A. Times, p. 50
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f Colin Larkin, ed. (1998). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Dance Music (First ed.). Virgin Books. pp. 372/3. ISBN 0-7535-0252-6.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c Abdul-Adil, Jaleel (August 1, 1993), "Yo Yo and MC Lyte Turn Tables on Male Rappers", Chicago Sun-Times, p. 9
  5. ^ "VH1′s 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs". Stereogum. September 29, 2008. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  6. ^ "Lifestyle | Icons Speak: YoYo Talks Keri Hilson, Female Emcees, more". Singersroom.com. January 6, 2009. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  7. ^ "MC Lyte to Executive Produce 'Hip Hop Sisters' on BET". Black Enterprise. June 12, 2013. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  8. ^ "@VIBEVixen» BET Announces 'Hip Hop Sisters' and Jeanette Jenkins Reality Series » Madison Lafayette". Vibevixen.com. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
  9. ^ Jones, Francis. "Ice Cube - AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted (album review 3)". sputnikmusic.com. Sputnik Music. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
  10. ^ "Unsung". TVOne. September 21, 2015. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  11. ^ Blackman, Ritch (August 24, 2012). "Rapper Yo Yo Engaged To Highland Park, Mi Mayor". UnsungHipHop. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  12. ^ "Facebook". Facebook.com. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  13. ^ Sylk, Sam (2013). "Yo Yo's Husband, Mayor DeAndre Windom, Shot In Detroit Nightclub". WZAK. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  14. ^ "MC Lyte, Yo-Yo & Remy Ma Featured in New Episode of OWN's 'Girlfriends Check-In' [Video]". July 17, 2020.
  15. ^ "Free Speech for Rappers". The Progressive. 58 (4): 9. April 1994 – via ProQuest Central.
  16. ^ "Compton Artist YoYo Gives Students Hip-Hop Education". NBC Southern California. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  17. ^ "Yo-Yo Chart History". Billboard 200. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  18. ^ "Yo-Yo Chart History". Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  19. ^ "Hits Revealed: Yo Yo - Release Info". AllMusic.
  20. ^ "Yo-Yo - US Hot 100". billboard.com. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  21. ^ Jump up to: a b "Yo-Yo - US R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". billboard.com. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  22. ^ "Yo-Yo - Girl Don't Be No Fool (Cassette - Atlantic #98653)". AllMusic.
  23. ^ "Yo-Yo - Bubbling Under Hot 100". Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  24. ^ "Kid 'n Play- US Hot 100". billboard.com. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  25. ^ "Kid 'n Play - US Dance Club Songs". billboard.com. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  26. ^ "Kid 'n Play - US R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". billboard.com. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  27. ^ "Kid 'n Play - US Hot Rap Songs". billboard.com. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  28. ^ "Kid 'n Play - UK Chart". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  29. ^ "Various Artists - Get the Fist [12"] (12 inch Vinyl Single - Polygram #864431)". AllMusic.
  30. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f I Wanna Be Me (track listing). Antoinette. Next Plateau Records Inc. 1990. NP50131.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  31. ^ "Full cast and crew for Paper Soldiers (2002)". IMDb. Retrieved June 2, 2013.

External links[]

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