Make Way for the Motherlode

Make Way for the Motherlode is the debut studio album by the American West Coast hip-hop musician Yo-Yo.[1][2] Make Way for the Motherlode was released on March 19, 1991, through East West Records and Atlantic Records. The album was produced by Ice Cube, Sir Jinx, and Del tha Funkee Homosapien. Make Way for the Motherlode peaked at number 74 on the Billboard 200 and number 5 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Make Way for the Motherlode had two singles, including "You Can't Play with My Yo-Yo" and "What Can I Do?", both of which featured Ice Cube. The background vocals for "You Can't Play with My Yo-Yo" were sung by MC SOULA.

Make Way for the Motherlode
Studio album by
ReleasedMarch 19, 1991
Recorded1990–1991
GenreWest Coast hip hop
Length43:54
LabelEast West America
Producer
Yo-Yo chronology
Make Way for the Motherlode
(1991)
Black Pearl
(1992)
Singles from Make Way for the Motherlode
  1. "Stompin' to tha 90s"
    Released: 1990
  2. "You Can't Play with My Yo-Yo"
    Released: 1991
  3. "Ain't Nobody Better"
    Released: 1991
  4. "Girl Don't Be No Fool"
    Released: 1991

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [3]
Robert ChristgauA−[4]
The Source     [5]

Robert Christgau commented that: "By loosing Roxanne Shante's tough talk on Queen Latifah's leadership seminar, Ice Cube's no-shit sister doubles her chance of teaching "intelligent black women" how one respects oneself. Her most salient theme is an ass she's not inclined to give up on the first date, and when she succumbs, she lives to regret it at speeds that'll set you on yours. Sir Jinx's soul-thick, jazz-inflected production suits her gritty drawl and wayward mouth. And if they should split she'll figure out another way to get over."[4] The New York Times noted that Yo-Yo is "fast-talking and competitive in the requisite boasts, then slows down the rhymes to detail male transgressions and, more often, female naivete."[6]

Alex Henderson of AllMusic wrote: "As positive as Queen Latifah but as abrasive in her delivery as MC Lyte, Yo-Yo showed some potential on her debut album, Make Way for the Motherlode."[3]

Track listing

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All tracks are written by Yo-Yo

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Stand Up for Your Rights" (featuring Ricky Harris, Tamika Ingram and Threat)1:00
2."Stompin' to the '90s"
4:07
3."You Can't Play with My Yo Yo" (featuring Ice Cube)3:34
4."Cube Gets Played" (featuring Ricky Harris) 0:19
5."Put a Lid on It"
  • Ice Cube
  • Sir Jinx
  • James Brown
3:04
6."What Can I Do?" (featuring Ice Cube)
  • Del
  • Ice Cube
  • Clarence Reid
4:13
7."Dedication" (featuring LA Jay & Ricky Harris)
  • John Barnes III
  • J-Swift
0:52
8."Sisterland"
3:38
9."The I.B.W.C. National Anthem" (featuring Dawn, Diamond & Sparkles)Yo-Yo1:44
10."Make Way for the Motherlode"3:47
11."Tonight's the Night" (featuring Dazzie Dee)
3:38
12."I Got Played"
  • Ice Cube
  • Sir Jinx
2:45
13."Girl, Don't Be No Fool"
4:40
14."Ain't Nobody Better"
4:22
15."Outro" (featuring Ricky Harris)
0:23
16."More of What I Can Do" (featuring Sir Jinx)
  • Del
  • Ice Cube
  • Reid
1:48
Total length:43:54

Notes:

  • Some CD editions list the outro with the incorrect running time of 2:10
  • Featured artists are not listed

Charts

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Chart (1991) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[7] 74
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[8] 5

References

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  1. ^ Simpson, Dave (Jun 1, 1991). "Make Way for the Motherlode by Yo-Yo". Melody Maker. Vol. 67, no. 22. p. 34.
  2. ^ Goddard, Peter (Nov 1991). "Yo-Yo Takes on the Boys of Rap". Chatelaine. Vol. 64, no. 11. p. 20.
  3. ^ a b Henderson, Alex. "Make Way for the Motherlode Yo-Yo". AllMusic. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  4. ^ a b Christgau, Robert. "Yo Yo". Robert Christgau. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  5. ^ C., Greg (May 1991). "Record Report: Yo Yo – Make Way for the Motherlode". The Source. No. 20. New York. p. 57.
  6. ^ Pareles, Jon (Apr 14, 1991). "Yo-Yo: 'Make Way for the Motherlode'". The New York Times. p. A30.
  7. ^ "Yo-Yo Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
  8. ^ "Yo-Yo Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard.
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Make Way for the Motherlode at Discogs (list of releases)