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Yo-Yo (born Yolanda Whittaker on August 4, 1971) is a Grammy-nominated American hardcore rapper and actress. 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.^[1]

  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,^[2] 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]

  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 has also appeared in the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, as a voice actor.

  Discography

  Albums

• 1991: Make Way for the Motherlode
• 1992: Black Pearl
• 1993: You Better Ask Somebody
• 1996: Total Control
• 1998: Ebony

  EPs

• Hits Revealed (2007)
• My Journey to Fearless: The Black Butterfly (2012)

  Singles

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

  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 & Lynden,Moet) (Roll Bounce SDTK)
• 2009 "Watcha Wan Do" (with DJ Quik, Kurupt & Problem) (BlaQKout)
• 2010 "Só Rezo 0.2" (with Nx Zero & Emicida) (Projeto Paralelo)

  Filmography

  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 ....
• 1993 Menace II Society .... Girl at Party
• 1991 Boyz n the Hood .... Yo-Yo

  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

  References

  External links

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