Yolanda Whittaker on August 4, 1971) is a Grammy nominated American hardcor… Read Full Bio ↴Yolanda Whittaker on August 4, 1971) is a Grammy nominated American hardcore rapper known primarily among hip hop fans and music critics during the 1990s. 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.

Black Pearl
Yo Yo Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Intro]
Black Pearl, Precious little girl
Let me lift you up where you belong

[Verse 1]
Comin at'cha, can you feel what I'm feelin'
Some soul sister need some natural healing
Gifted but shifted, so come follow me

Cause I'ma take you on a sister to sister journey
Run to get mine, better get 'fore they grab it
Like cold pepsi-cola, gotta say I gots-ta have it
Stayin back too long, when you really got it goin' on
It ain't nothing wrong with being strong, but you don't hear me though

[Chorus]
Black Pearl, Precious little girl
Let me lift you up where you belong
Black Pearl, Precious little girl
You've been in the background much too long

[Verse 2]
Now, all my sisters with the bangles, tryin' on earings
Tryin shopping with the Fendi's and ain't got a penny
High school drop-out, only sixteen like she don't know no better
Don't think it's a crime, cause nobody's there to tell her
Life is scarce, if you don't take a chance you're losin honey
The streets'll be the only place you make your money
Let's get it together, that's the price you have to pay
And if you live for the streets you'll see a better day
One nation, under the groove, we got it open
If we'd just learn to stick together, you know what I mean?
Stop killin' each other, learn to love each other
For the sake of a mother and a brother
Run to get mine, better get 'fore they grab it
Like cold pepsi-cola, gotta say I gots-ta have it
Stayin back too long, when you really got it goin' on
It ain't nothing wrong with being strong, but you don't hear me though

[Chorus]

[Verse 3]
What I'm kickin ain't no joke, you better listen up
Black black pressure, and pretty black pearl
Yeah, I done been around the world and it's still all the same
Everybody's still got a little shame in they game
Scared to admit, well here's something you can lean on
Hum the chorus to this song...
It's a lot of strings attched don't let him play you like a buppy
You gotta stay above it or your just like the rest of 'em
Following some dry-ass dream, scared to move on and be more than you friends
Self-motivation, for your self-motivate set the two
Black Pearl's dedicated from Yo to you
Run to get mine, better get 'fore they grab it
Like cold pepsi-cola, gotta say I gots-ta have it
Stayin back too long, when you really got it goin' on
Now tell me what's wrong with being strong

[Chorus till fade...]

Overall Meaning

The song "Black Pearl" by Yo Yo is an empowering anthem that encourages self-motivation and determination among young, African American women. The song begins with the lyrics "Black Pearl, precious little girl, let me lift you up where you belong," which establishes the song's theme of lifting up and empowering young women who have been overlooked or neglected. Yo Yo then proclaims that she is coming at the listener with a message of natural healing and empowerment. She urges her listeners to be strong and to take advantage of the opportunities available to them, rather than being held back by fear or uncertainty.

Yo Yo then addresses specific challenges that young women of color may face, such as financial struggles, limited education, and societal pressures. She encourages her listeners to take risks and seize opportunities, even if it means leaving behind familiar and comfortable surroundings. The chorus of the song reasserts the importance of empowering these young women, stating that they have been in the background for too long and deserve to be lifted up and celebrated.

Overall, "Black Pearl" is a powerful and uplifting song that encourages self-confidence and self-motivation among young women of color. The message of the song is one of empowerment and encouragement, urging young women to embrace their strengths and strive for success.

Line by Line Meaning

Black Pearl, Precious little girl
Addressing a young woman symbolically as a rare and valuable commodity

Let me lift you up where you belong
Offering support and the opportunity for the woman to realize her full potential

Comin at'cha, can you feel what I'm feelin'
Asking the woman if she can sense and share in the emotional intensity of the moment

Some soul sister need some natural healing
Acknowledging the need for spiritual upliftment and personal growth among one's peers

Gifted but shifted, so come follow me
Inviting the woman to join in pursuit of personal development and success

Cause I'ma take you on a sister to sister journey
Committing to shared experience and growth as equals

Run to get mine, better get 'fore they grab it
Urging the woman to strive for personal achievement before others can take advantage of her

Like cold pepsi-cola, gotta say I gots-ta have it
Asserting the importance of personal desire and ambition

Stayin back too long, when you really got it goin' on
Encouraging the woman to not hold back despite having potential for success

It ain't nothing wrong with being strong, but you don't hear me though
Asserting that there is nothing wrong with exhibiting personal strength, but that the woman may not fully understand

You've been in the background much too long
Noting the woman's history of being unnoticed or neglected

Now, all my sisters with the bangles, tryin' on earings
Referring to other young women who are interested in fashion and appearance

Tryin shopping with the Fendi's and ain't got a penny
Describing the struggle of being impoverished despite being interested in high-end fashion

High school drop-out, only sixteen like she don't know no better
Describing a young woman who is not pursuing education and may not understand the importance of personal growth

Life is scarce, if you don't take a chance you're losin honey
Encouraging the woman to take risks because opportunities are limited

The streets'll be the only place you make your money
Warning that the only source of income for some may be the streets, which can be risky and dangerous

Let's get it together, that's the price you have to pay
Urging the woman to take control of her life and work hard for success

And if you live for the streets you'll see a better day
Ironically stating that focusing solely on street life will lead to a better outcome than inaction or lack of ambition

One nation, under the groove, we got it open
Expressing unity and openness among the singer's peers

If we'd just learn to stick together, you know what I mean?
Suggesting that unity will lead to greater success and happiness for all

Stop killin' each other, learn to love each other
Urging an end to violent behavior and promotion of mutual respect and compassion

For the sake of a mother and a brother
Calling attention to the human connections we all share as motivation for change

What I'm kickin ain't no joke, you better listen up
Emphasizing the importance of the singer's message

Black black pressure, and pretty black pearl
Describing the difficult circumstances surrounding the woman and her potential for success

Yeah, I done been around the world and it's still all the same
Referencing the universal problems and circumstances experienced by women like the Black Pearl

Everybody's still got a little shame in they game
Noting that people still feel embarrassed by their shortcomings or failures

Scared to admit, well here's something you can lean on
Suggesting that the woman can lean on the singer's experiences and guidance

Hum the chorus to this song...
Encouraging the woman to reflect on the message and relate it to her own experiences

It's a lot of strings attched don't let him play you like a buppy
Warning the woman about potential manipulation or exploitation by men

You gotta stay above it or your just like the rest of 'em
Urging the woman to maintain her independence and self-worth

Following some dry-ass dream, scared to move on and be more than you friends
Advising the woman to be ambitious and not limit herself to the expectations of others

Self-motivation, for your self-motivate set the two
Encouraging the woman to motivate herself and set her own goals

Black Pearl's dedicated from Yo to you
Promising continued support and guidance for the woman from the artist

Contributed by Lila L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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