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| Yo-Yo | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Yolanda Whittaker |
| Born | August 4, 1971 |
| Origin | South Central, Los Angeles, U.S. |
| Genre(s) | Hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper, Actress |
| Years active | 1990 - present |
| Label(s) | East West Records Elektra Records Asylum Records |
| Associated acts | Spanky Loco, Ice Cube Da Lench Mob |
Yo-Yo (born Yolanda Whittaker on August 4, 1971 in Compton, California) is a Grammy nominated American hardcore rapper and actress. Much of her music has advocated female empowerment, denouncing the frequent sexism found in rap music. Yo-Yo dubbed her rap crew the IBWC, which stood for the Intelligent Black Woman's Coalition.
Contents |
Music career
Yo-Yo first appeared as a guest on Ice Cube's AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted album in 1990. Her critically acclaimed debut was 1991's Make Way for the Motherlode. The album's biggest single was You Can't Play With My Yo-Yo, which also featured Ice Cube.
Her follow-up, 1992's Black Pearl was well-received by critics, due in part to its focus on positive messages and uplifting themes that contrasted the popular gangsta rap style. However, this did not translate into a hit with mainstream rap audiences, and the album's sales were considered a disappointment.
Less than a year later, Yo-Yo recorded and released a more commercial follow-up, 1993's You Better Ask Somebody. The album featured musical and lyrical styles more in line with the hip-hop climate of the era, including many references to guns and smoking marijuana. In an effort to distance herself from what some in the rap community saw as preaching positivity on her previous CD, Yo-Yo even dissed herself on the track They Shit Don't Stink by rapping, "I fell off, but now I'm back, cuz that Black Pearl shit was wack"
The final track on the album was her third recorded hip-hop duet with Ice Cube, The Bonnie and Clyde Theme. The track was actually a B-side on the album's first single, IBWin' Wit My Crewin, but ultimately it was the only song from the album to achieve substantial radio airplay.
Yo-Yo's next album was 1996's Total Control. In 1998, she finished her fifth and final album, Ebony, but it was not released; as such, it remains a highly sought-after bootleg by fans.
More recent work includes the theme music for the Style Network's makeover show "How Do I Look", which she was asked to revamp after her appearance on it, and host of VH1's "Miss Rap Supreme".
In 2008, her single "Can't Play With My Yo-Yo was ranked number 92 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop.
Acting career
She appeared in the 1991 film Boyz N The Hood, 1993's "Menace II Society" and in many other "hood" style films, had a recurring role on the television show "Martin" as Keylolo, the sidekick of comedian Martin Lawrence's alter ego, Sheneneh, and other roles on various TV shows (including a notable turn on Fox's New York Undercover), and in addition has made many cameo appearances, including one in the music video for Missy Elliott's first single, "Da Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)". She has also appeared on Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas as a voice actor.
Discography
| Album information |
|---|
| Make Way For the Motherlode |
| Black Pearl |
| You Better Ask Somebody |
Total Control
|
Ebony
|
Miscellaneous Appearances
- 1990 "It's A Man's World" (with Ice Cube) (AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted)
- 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 & Fabolous) (Roll Bounce SDTK)
Acting Discography
Films
- 2000 The Rev. DoWrong Ain't Right ...
- 2000 3 Strikes .... Charita
- 1999 Beverly Hood .... Tilly
- 1997 Sprung .... Sista #3
- 1995 Panther .... Pregnant junkie
- 1994 Adventures of D.P. Boys 17: South of the Border (V)
- 1993 Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit .... Sondra
- 1993 Who's The Man ....
- 1990 Boyz N The Hood (1990) .... Yo-Yo
- 1990 Menace II Society (1990) .... Girl at Party
Television Appearances
- 2008 VH1's 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs ... Herself (4 episodes)
- 2008 ego trip's Miss Rap Supreme ... Co-Host (9 episodes)
- 2007 "Parallel Paths" .... Herself (1 episode)
- 2006 "How Do I Look".... Herself
- 2006 3rd Annual VH1 Hip-Hop Honors ... Herself
- 1998 "The Jamie Foxx Show" .... Kierston (1 episode)
- 1997 "The Parent 'Hood" .... Audrey (1 episode)
- 1997 Trials of Life (TV) .... Jennifer
- 1995 "New York Undercover" .... Nikki (1 episode)
- 1993-1997 "Martin" .... Keylolo (3 episodes)
- 1993 Strapped (TV) .... Ann
Voice Work
- 2006 Waist Deep .... Female Radio DJ (Voice)
- 2006 Da Jammies .... Mrs. Mangual (Voice)
- 2004 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas .... Kendl Johnson (Voice)
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 1995 | MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best Rap Video for "I Wanna Be Down" (Remix) Feat. Brandy, MC Lyte and Queen Latifah |
| 1996 | Grammy Award nomination for Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance - Duo or Group for "Stomp" |
External links
- Yo-Yo biography provided by allmusic.com
- Yolanda Whittaker at imdb.com
