Yo-Yo (rapper)

thumb Yolanda "Yo-Yo" Whitaker (born August 4, 1971) is an American rapper and actress from South Los Angeles. Quotes I’ve definitely paid my dues. I used to shy away from the word icon, but I've surely done enough in this industry to be considered one of the greats. I'm excited for hip hop; this is long overdue. Doing Rock The Bells this year is exciting. LL has taken a leadership role in all of this, and like I told him recently, "You don't have to ask for permission anymore, we are owning it." The fact that we are getting the recognition that so many who paved the way deserve is so special. It's full circle for me. I'm also excited for other artists like Roxanne Shante, Sha Rock and so many others. It's well overdue. I'm hoping this won't be just a year of voices, but something that will trend forever. It's so crazy because I felt that very early on. Cube had just left NWA, and it was during the height of all the East Coast/West Coast stuff. I joined him on the Apollo stage, where he debuted "It's a Man's World" in 1991. When I came out, the crowd went crazy. Cube and I killed it—people were throwing money on stage and everything. That memorable moment was surreal. I knew then there was a place for me in this industry. I have the Yo-Yo School of Hip-Hop which just celebrated 10-years in Detroit and the Intelligent Black Woman's Coalition is still in full effect. We're going on 33 years with that. I give away $1000 scholarships each year to the National College Resource Foundation for those who have a passion for pursuing music. And, my advice to young artists anywhere—male or female—is to live your truth. Your truth will win! Rapper Yo-Yo on the Moment She Knew She Made It as a Female Emcee;By DEANNA TAYLOR on JUNE 13, 2023 I think when I realized was when I started working with Ice Cube. I was like, ‘Wow, this could be something I always knew I wanted to be a rapper, but as a young kid, I didn’t think I’d become an artist. It started with poetry, and I was proficient in English. I just loved music. I was an entertainer. I think one of my most memorable moments was when we did the Apollo because there was some beef with the East Coast and West Coast. Cube had just left N.W.A, and we did two shows at the Apollo, and they threw money on the stage. It was jam-packed. The energy was so electric — I mean, I could see it as if it was today and that was over 34 years ago. Yo-Yo is happy hip hop's trailblazers are being recognized & loves how fearless today's female lyricists are;By ARIA BELL External links Category:Actresses from the United States Category:Rappers from the United States Category:Living people Category:1971 births Category:Women born in the 1970s Category:People from California Category:African Americans