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Yo-Yo (rapper)

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Yo-Yo
Background information
Birth nameYolanda Whitaker
Born (1971-08-04) August 4, 1971 (age 53)
Compton, California
OriginSouth Central, Los Angeles, United States
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)Rapper, songwriter, actress, entrepreneur
Years active1990 - present
LabelsEast West America
Websiteyoyoschoolofhiphop.com

Yo-Yo (born Yolanda Whitaker; August 4, 1971)[1] is an American hip hop recording artist, actress and entrepreneur. Much of her music has advocated female empowerment, denouncing the frequent sexism found in hip-hop music. She is the protégé of gangsta rapper Ice Cube. Yo-Yo dubbed her crew the IBWC, which stood for the Intelligent Black Woman's Coalition.[2]

Music career

Yo-Yo first appeared as a guest on Ice Cube's AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted album in 1990, on the track "It's a Man's World." Cube returned the favor by appearing on "You Can't Play with My Yo-Yo," which was on Yo-Yo's 1991 debut album, Make Way for the Motherlode.

Her follow-up in 1992, Black Pearl was well received by critics,[3] partly because of its focus on positive messages and uplifting themes that contrasted the popular gangsta rap style.[3] However, despite a plethora of renowned producers such as DJ Muggs, this did not translate into a hit with mainstream hip-hop audiences, and the album's sales were considered a disappointment.[3]

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

Yo-Yo's next album was 1996's Total Control. In 1998, she finished her fifth album, Ebony, but it was not released.

In 2008, her single "Can't Play With My Yo-Yo" was ranked number 92 on VH1's 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs.[4] 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, she has been at work on an EP, titled My Journey to Fearless: The Black Butterfly.[5]

In 2013, it was announced she has joined the upcoming BET reality series Hip Hop Sisters which will focus on six female rappers' lives and their attempts to relaunch their careers. Other rappers confirmed to appear are MC Lyte, Lady of Rage, Monie Love, Lil Mama, and Smooth.[6]

Acting career

She appeared in the 1991 film Boyz n the Hood, 1993's Menace II Society and other urban-oriented films; had a recurring role on the television show Martin as Keylolo, the sidekick of comedian Martin Lawrence's alter ego Sheneneh; and appeared on other TV shows, including the Fox network's New York Undercover. She has also made many cameo appearances, including the music video for Missy Elliott's "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)". She also appeared in the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, as the voice of Kendl Johnson.[7]

Personal life

Yo-Yo dated Tupac Shakur for some time in the 1990s. She was with him in the hospital shortly before he died.[8]

She has two daughters named Tiffany Whitaker[9] and Sanai Whitaker.[10]

She got engaged to DeAndre Windom, the former mayor of Highland Park, Michigan, in August 2012.[11][12] They married on August 17, 2013.[13] She now runs Yo-Yo School of Hip Hop.[14]

Discography

Albums

EPs

  • 2007 – Hits Revealed

Singles

  • 1990 – "Stompin to tha 90's"
  • 1991 – "You Can't Play with My Yo-Yo"
  • 1991 – "Ain't Nobody Better"
  • 1991 – "Girl Don't Be No Fool"
  • 1992 – "Home Girl Don't Play Dat"
  • 1992 – "Black Pearl"
  • 1993 – "IBW'in wit My Crewin'"
  • 1993 – "West Side Story"
  • 1993 – "The Bonnie and Clyde Theme" (feat. Ice Cube)
  • 1996 – "Same Ol' Thang"
  • 1996 – "Steady Risin"
  • 1996 – "One for the Cuties"
  • 1998 – "Iz It Still All Good" (feat. Gerald Levert)
  • 1998 – "Do You Wanna Ride" (featuring Kelly Price)
  • 2009 – "Give It T'um"

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

  • 2002 – Paper Soldiers … Judge Prince[15]
  • 2000 – The Rev. DoWrong Ain't Right …
  • 2000 – 3 Strikes … Charita
  • 1999 - The Breaks ... Loretha
  • 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 …
  • 1993 – Menace II Society … Girl at Party
  • 1991 – Boyz n the Hood … Yo-Yo

Television appearances

  • 2014 – 2014 Soul Train Music Awards ... Herself (special guest)
  • 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

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)
1996 Grammy Award nomination for Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance - Duo or Group for "Stomp"

References

  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. ^ a b c Abdul-Adil, Jaleel (August 1, 1993), "Yo Yo and MC Lyte Turn Tables on Male Rappers", Chicago Sun-Times, p. 9
  4. ^ "VH1′s 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs". Stereogum. September 29, 2008. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  5. ^ "Lifestyle | Icons Speak: YoYo Talks Keri Hilson, Female Emcees, more". Singersroom.com. January 6, 2009. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  6. ^ "@VIBEVixen» BET Announces 'Hip Hop Sisters' and Jeanette Jenkins Reality Series » Madison Lafayette". Vibevixen.com. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
  7. ^ Jones, Francis. "Ice Cube - AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted (album review 3)". sputnikmusic.com. Sputnik Music. Retrieved 2015-05-28.
  8. ^ "Unsung". TVOne. September 21, 2015. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  9. ^ "Instagram". Instagram. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
  10. ^ "Instagram". Instagram. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
  11. ^ Blackman, Ritch. (August 24, 2012) Rapper Yo Yo Engaged To Highland Park, Mi Mayor. UnsungHipHop.Com. Retrieved on June 3, 2013.
  12. ^ Yolanda "Yo-Yo" Whitaker 40th Birthday and Engagement Celebration at Club Rooftop 3100 in Los Angeles on August 3, 2012 - Celebrity Photos At. Prphotos.com (August 3, 2012). Retrieved on June 3, 2013.
  13. ^ "Yolanda Whitaker & Deandre Windom - Wedding Registry". Registry.theknot.com. August 17, 2013. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
  14. ^ Hip-Hop Star To Be Highland Park’s First Lady
  15. ^ "Full cast and crew for Paper Soldiers (2002)". IMDb. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
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