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.

Mama Don't Take No Mess
Yo Yo Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

"There are a few things I want to explain to you..
and I'll try to define, to the best of my ability"

"Mama don't take no mess!" "Mmmm, mmm, mmm"
"Mama.. mama don't take no mess!"

"I'ma tell you one more thing;
and won't tell y'all nothin else"

"Mama.."
[Yo-Yo]
Growin up was crazy, in my days we got our ass kicked
Mama didn't play no ? cause talkin back is foul play
She had her own way of gettin across, which was a belt of steel
She'd tell us from the work we could all but kneel
Gettin nasty in front of guests was the way she'd like to do it
She'll say straighten your shit up, or you can stop em from comin
And yo guys knew what time it was, even they was checked
I got a down ass mama ("that's right") mama don't take no mess
Now shit got hectic, cause mama was tipped
She'll tell you in a minute don't let your mouth get yo' ass whipped
Mama did it all by herself, King and Queen of this house
Yellin, "I want my Daddy" would get your ass thrown out
Now when it came to partyin, moms got wild
Don't nuttin get old but clothes, and they come back as styles
("that's right.. that's right") Yo, I got a down ass mama

"Mama don't take no mess!" "Mmmm, mmm, mmm"
"Mama.. mama don't take no mess!" "Mmmm, mmm, mmm"
"Mama.. mama don't take no mess!" "Mmmm, mmm, mmm"
"Mama.. mama don't take no mess!" "Can you dig it?"

[Yo-Yo]
Beings it was all girls, shit was always missing
from panties to makeup, if it was gone then she was bitchin
She wants to know, "Who's been in the house?" I said no company
Checkin her dresser sayin, "What happened to my money?"
If it was on then it was on, cause money don't walk
Somebody better talk, find the stuff she done lost
I got my butt whooped for everything I did wrong
And it was ON, cause niggaz kept playin on my phone
Don't let moms go to a conference and the teacher confess
Man I'm tell you, mama don't take no mess
Why watch me go down, fight to keep it goin
but really not knowin cause the truth is what they're showin
You don't have a friend, friends come and go is what she'll say
Never tell your deepest secret, you'll get hurt that way
Love is a game, and it's okay if you play
But they're dogs dressed as men, tryin to be your friend
and baby watch out, don't take a step unless you know which way you're goin
Times are gettin lonely but I'll be a honey
I'll never leave ya, believe that love is in the air
No matter what you done, moms'll be there
I got a down ass mama

"Mama don't take no mess!"
"Because I'm aware that you have to use what you have
to get what you want. This is the reason I'm asking
you to tighten up your shit. Be proud of your black
body and use it. That's your natural gift, so girls
use it. But you got to get yo' shit together!"

"Mama don't take no mess!"
"I'm beggin you please do like I told you"
[Yo-Yo]
Moms, didn't play the okey-doke, oke can get choked, huh
Fuck around and get yo' neck broke
Tellin your friends, "Hold up, wait man, moms'll let me go"
Walk in the house and mom straight say NO!
The type of moms to whup you in the store if she hasta
Just to let you know, you're the child, she's the master
Livin it to the fullest, playin 40 like she's 20 why'know
Some old tricks from a young pro
Brought up in a church house, and every Sunday was a must
When moms couldn't make it, we rode the church bus
Don't say you couldn't fade it, cause that was plannin yo' week
No church, no runnin the streets G! ("That's right")
We didn't neglect our chores, that was number one
For thirty on the dot, we was on the run
She used to pull up at the dance, have the DJ to call us out
After two o'clock, wasn't no hangin out
Sometimes she waited in the batterram or stood at the front do'
People used to ask what she came fo'
Hell wasn't nuttin get close, moms was loc, no joke
("Right on!)" I got a down ass mama

"Mama don't take no mess!" "Mmmm, mmm, mmm"
"Mama.. mama don't take no mess!" "Mmmm, mmm, mmm"
"Mama.. mama don't take no mess!"
"Mama.. mama don't take no mess!"

"Mama.. mama don't take no mess!" "Mmmm, mmm, mmm"
"Mama.. mama don't take no mess!" "Mmmm, mmm, mmm"
"Mama.. mama don't take no mess!" "Mmmm, mmm, mmm"
"Mama.. mama don't take no mess!" "Mmmm, mmm, mmm"
"Mama.. mama don't take no mess!" "Mmmm, mmm, mmm"
"Mama.. mama don't take no mess!" "Mmmm, mmm, mmm"
"Mama.. mama don't take no mess!"

"Get them drive-by shooters out of my living room
and off my couch. You know we expecting company!"

"Is that it? I gotta go."
"HELL NAW THAT AIN'T IT!"

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Yo-Yo's "Mama Don't Take No Mess" are a tribute to her mother, who was a strong and independent woman that raised her family on her own. Yo-Yo describes how her mother kept a tight ship in the household, and how she taught her and her siblings to respect their elders and always do their chores. The song also touches on the theme of young women using their bodies to get what they want, but warns them to be cautious of men who are not true friends.

Throughout the song, Yo-Yo emphasizes her mother's no-nonsense attitude, which she instilled in her children through both her words and actions. Her mother was not afraid to discipline them when they acted out, and Yo-Yo even tells a story about how her mother would show up at the dances she attended to make sure she was behaving herself. However, despite her strictness, Yo-Yo clearly respects and admires her mother, describing her as a "down ass mama" who "don't take no mess."

Overall, the lyrics to "Mama Don't Take No Mess" are a celebration of motherhood and the strength and resilience of single mothers who raise their children on their own.

Line by Line Meaning

There are a few things I want to explain to you.. and I'll try to define, to the best of my ability
Yo Yo is going to share stories about her mother and explain why she sings this song.

Mama don't take no mess!
Yo Yo's mother is a no-nonsense woman who won't tolerate any nonsense from her children.

Mama.. mama don't take no mess!
Yo Yo emphasizes her point about her mother not taking any mess from anyone.

I'ma tell you one more thing; and won't tell y'all nothin else
Yo Yo is about to share one more story about her mother but won't share any more after this.

Mama..
Yo Yo starts her story about her mother.

Growin up was crazy, in my days we got our ass kicked Mama didn't play no ? cause talkin back is foul play She had her own way of gettin across, which was a belt of steel She'd tell us from the work we could all but kneel
Yo Yo's mother was strict and didn't tolerate backtalk. Her discipline methods included spanking and making her children kneel.

Gettin nasty in front of guests was the way she'd like to do it She'll say straighten your shit up, or you can stop em from comin And yo guys knew what time it was, even they was checked I got a down ass mama ("that's right") mama don't take no mess
Yo Yo's mother would scold her children in front of company if they misbehaved, and everyone knew to behave around her. Yo Yo admires her mother's strict nature.

Now shit got hectic, cause mama was tipped She'll tell you in a minute don't let your mouth get yo' ass whipped Mama did it all by herself, King and Queen of this house Yellin, "I want my Daddy" would get your ass thrown out
Yo Yo's mother is the head of the household and very protective of her family. She won't hesitate to discipline her children, even if they mention their father.

Now when it came to partyin, moms got wild Don't nuttin get old but clothes, and they come back as styles ("that's right.. that's right") Yo, I got a down ass mama
Yo Yo's mother was a fun-loving person who enjoyed going out. She would remind her children that fashion trends always come back around. Yo Yo is grateful to have such a cool mother.

Beings it was all girls, shit was always missing from panties to makeup, if it was gone then she was bitchin She wants to know, "Who's been in the house?" I said no company Checkin her dresser sayin, "What happened to my money?"
Yo Yo's mother keeps a close eye on her belongings and is quick to blame her daughters if anything goes missing. She is very suspicious of who is in her house.

If it was on then it was on, cause money don't walk Somebody better talk, find the stuff she done lost I got my butt whooped for everything I did wrong And it was ON, cause niggaz kept playin on my phone
If anything of value went missing, Yo Yo's mother would demand answers and discipline her children if they couldn't explain. Yo Yo got punished often and even blamed for things she didn't do.

Don't let moms go to a conference and the teacher confess Man I'm tell you, mama don't take no mess
Yo Yo warns others not to think they can get away with anything just because their mother is at a conference. Yo Yo's mother won't tolerate any misbehavior.

Why watch me go down, fight to keep it goin but really not knowin cause the truth is what they're showin You don't have a friend, friends come and go is what she'll say Never tell your deepest secret, you'll get hurt that way
Yo Yo's mother warned her not to trust anyone and to be careful of who she confides in. She knows that friends can be fickle and people aren't always honest.

Love is a game, and it's okay if you play But they're dogs dressed as men, tryin to be your friend and baby watch out, don't take a step unless you know which way you're goin Times are gettin lonely but I'll be a honey I'll never leave ya, believe that love is in the air No matter what you done, moms'll be there
Yo Yo's mother warns her not to be fooled by men who pretend to be her friend. She believes in love but warns her daughter to be careful. Yo Yo's mother wants her daughter to know that she will always be there for her.

Fuck around and get yo' neck broke Tellin your friends, "Hold up, wait man, moms'll let me go" Walk in the house and mom straight say NO! The type of moms to whup you in the store if she hasta
Yo Yo's mother doesn't tolerate any misbehavior and can be very strict. She will discipline her children in public if she needs to.

Livin it to the fullest, playin 40 like she's 20 why'know Some old tricks from a young pro Brought up in a church house, and every Sunday was a must When moms couldn't make it, we rode the church bus
Yo Yo's mother has a youthful spirit and likes to have fun. She was raised in a religious household and made sure her family went to church every Sunday.

Don't say you couldn't fade it, cause that was plannin yo' week No church, no runnin the streets G! ("That's right") We didn't neglect our chores, that was number one For thirty on the dot, we was on the run
Yo Yo's family had chores and responsibilities, and going to church was a priority. Yo Yo's mother made sure her children were productive and didn't waste time on frivolous activities.

She used to pull up at the dance, have the DJ to call us out After two o'clock, wasn't no hangin out Sometimes she waited in the batterram or stood at the front do' People used to ask what she came fo' Hell wasn't nuttin get close, moms was loc, no joke ("Right on!") I got a down ass mama
Yo Yo's mother didn't let her children stay out too late and would go to great lengths to make sure they didn't linger. She has a reputation for being tough and intimidating, but Yo Yo loves and appreciates her mother.

"Get them drive-by shooters out of my living room and off my couch. You know we expecting company!" "Is that it? I gotta go." "HELL NAW THAT AIN'T IT!"
Yo Yo's mother demands that her children keep the house clean and safe, even when they have guests. She won't let anyone disrespect her home or put her family in danger.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: LIONEL RICHIE, MILAN WILLIAMS, RONALD LAPREAD, THOMAS MCCLARY, WALTER ORANGE, WILLIAM KING

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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