Yolanda Brown
Yolanda Brown, (Yo B) from Lexington, Mississippi, at the age of three, started singing. Her most early influence is Brandy Norwood, also from McComb, Mississippi, but raised in California. At the age of seven she began singing in church, and she was very shy about it at first. Discovering a passion for music at the age of three later on lead her to choose music / singing as a career path for the rest of her life. It happened at eight years old; when her aunt ordered albums from Columbia House. Family was over after she and her brother got off the school bus and they shared a family moment dancing around the living room. The first time she heard Brandy singing; she knew she had been inspired like never before; and she looked up to Brandy in so many ways, although she'd never met her. One Christmas her aunt gave bought her the radio she'd been asking for, along with Brandy's tape, because she could not seem to stop borrowing her aunt's. Yo-B learned every song and emulated her voice by rewinding every word. Singing in church relaxed the shy nerves; so she began asking her teachers if she could sing to the class during recess or break periods. Soon after, she began writing her own songs, starting at the age of nine; sometimes during class. During high school she would sing The National Anthem before games, at weddings, and graduations.
While at The University of Mississippi where she was attending college; she joined a jazz / soul band called Equal Temperament that consisted of twelve members. They performed at ballroom dance parties, youth campus recruitment events, open mics, sorority and fraternity events as well as at The Big Truck Theater in Taylor, Mississippi, where you can find some of the best artwork, passionate musicians and singers, a great catfish restaurant and award winning community of artists. Some members branched off and together to start bands of their own as well; and she became apart of it. Silas Reed N' Da Books, was a pop / soul / funk band. Then she joined a reggae band, Hygrid formed by another member of Equal Temperament. Shortly after, she received her stage name from her best friend that she grew up with. Yo was taken from Yo Yo, which is her nickname, and the letter B is taken from her last name, Brown. Together it's Yo-B! Being on stage and creating music brings her joy and is a way for her to let go and connect with the audience. She believes music is freedom and everyone can be free in it. After she decided to leave college; she began to seek out auditions.
Yo-B has auditioned for Diddy's Making His Band, America's Got Talent, The X
-factor, American Idol, and as an extra for the upcoming movie "The Help". She is still continuing her musical journey by doing public performances, recording new material, finding constant inspiration in herself and others. Right now, Yo-B is a substitute teacher in her hometown, inspiring youth and everyone that when you follow your dreams and let God lead everything is possible. Yo-B is currently working on an album (Yolanda Soul) and a book that will inspire young women and women everywhere to believe and love themselves.
Check her out on www.youtube.com/YoB2009 and www.myspace.com/songbirdcherish. Yolanda Brown (YoBdasongstress) on Facebook. E-mail her at YsbYolanda2@aol.com and follow her on twitter at www.twitter.com/YoeB
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