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 Yo-Yo
Released	March 19, 1991
Recorded	1990–1991
Genre	West Coast hip hop
Length	43:54
Label	East West America
Producer	Ice Cube Sir Jinx
Yo-Yo chronology
Make Way for the Motherlode (1991) Black Pearl (1992)
Singles from Make Way for the Motherlode
"Stompin' to tha 90s" Released: 1990 "You Can't Play with My Yo-Yo" Released: 1991 "Ain't Nobody Better" Released: 1991 "Girl Don't Be No Fool" Released: 1991

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[3]
Robert Christgau	A−[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

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Stand Up for Your Rights" (featuring Ricky Harris, Tamika Ingram and Threat)	Yo-Yo Sir Jinx Chilly Chill Stevie Wonder	1:00
2.	"Stompin' to the '90s"	Del Sir Jinx	4:07
3.	"You Can't Play with My Yo Yo" (featuring Ice Cube)	Yo-Yo Ice Cube James Brown Charles Sherrell	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"	Yo-Yo Alvertis Isbell Bob Crewe Kenny Nolan	3:38
9.	"The I.B.W.C. National Anthem" (featuring Dawn, Diamond & Sparkles)	Yo-Yo	1:44
10.	"Make Way for the Motherlode"	Del Ice Cube George Clinton Bernie Worrell Bootsy Collins	3:47
11.	"Tonight's the Night" (featuring Dazzie Dee)	Dazzie Dee Betty Wright Willie Clark Willie Hutchinson	3:38
12.	"I Got Played"	Ice Cube Sir Jinx	2:45
13.	"Girl, Don't Be No Fool"	Ice Cube Sir Jinx The J.B.'s	4:40
14.	"Ain't Nobody Better"	Yo-Yo Del Hawk Wolinski George Clinton Philippe Wynne	4:22
15.	"Outro" (featuring Ricky Harris)	Del Ice Cube Clarence Reid	0:23
16.	"More of What I Can Do" (featuring Sir Jinx)	Del Ice Cube Reid	1:48
Total length:			43:54

All tracks are written by Yo-Yo.

Notes:

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

Charts

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