Yo-Yo

Yo-Yo (born Yolanda Whittaker on August 4, 1971) is a Grammy nominated American hardcore rapper and actor. 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.

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.

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 has also made many cameo appearances, including one in the music video for Missy Elliott's first single, "Da Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)".

In 1994 R&B singer Trisha Covington sampled Yo-Yo's classic "You Can't Play With My Yo-Yo", and scored a Top 30 R&B hit with "Why You Wanna Play Me Out?".

In 2004, she had a voice-over role in the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas as Kendl Johnson.

As of 2005, Yo-Yo is an afternoon DJ for the Los Angeles radio station KDAY.

Her stage name Yo-Yo comes from her first name, Yolanda.

In 2005 she was featured in Brooke Valentine's remake of the disco classic "Boogie Oogie Oogie" along with Fabolous as part of the soundtrack of Roll Bounce.

She guest-starred on the Style Network's How Do I Look? in 2006-2007 and got a much needed makeover. Yo-Yo also performs the theme song for the show.

In August 2007 She was featured as one of the female legends of hip hop during a hip hop showcase at the African Festival Of the Arts in Chicago.

She now resides in Los Angeles, California with her two children.

Discography

Awards & nominations

External links

• Yo-Yo biography provided by allmusic.com
• Yolanda Whittaker at imdb.com

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