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. YoYo has also appeared in the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, as a voice actor.
While in Washington, she met U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Waters, who represents California’s 35th Congressional District, which includes YoYo’s native South Central Los Angeles. With the help of Representative Waters’ Community Build program, YoYo launched “YoYo’s School Of Hip Hop,” a seven-week summer program designed to teach 100 low-income children hip-hop dance and how to write rap.
In an interview with HipHopDX, she says, “I tell young women, ‘Listen. Being loud doesn’t always mean you’re the wild and loud girl.’ Sometimes, being loud and wild is just the fearless girl, and being shy doesn’t always mean that people perceive you to be this innocent, really cool chick. It really means that sometimes they look at you like you’re the girl they can take advantage of. You’re not gonna say anything, you’re the girl that could really keep a secret. They try to play off of that. I try to teach that to girls — to not be another #MeToo.”
“Women are badass. We are making way for ourselves, for our families. We have so much power. The fact that we have bridged so many gaps from generation to generation is incredible. On the other hand, those who don’t know their power are setting trends that we’re trying to water down when it comes to the strength of a woman. Not playing always into a man’s hand.”
For more on Yo-Yo, follow her social media here.