THE REBEL LIFE
Whatever happened to Yaniboo?
Former Cleveland based rapper turns in mic for books and the runway
By GEZUS ZAIRE
Rebel Life Media/www.ClevelandHipHop.net
The year was 2009 when I met, three bubbly girls who boldly called themselves Bad Bitches ENT. The appointed spokesperson of the rap group was an ambitious teenaged high school junior known as Yaniboo.
After an appearance in Cleveland’s rap documentary “Rapland 216” (2010), that featured the likes of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Ray Cash and Chip tha Ripper, some thought the trio would go on to make records and become one of the city’s hottest new acts.
Fast forward to 2011 and Bad Bitches ENT. have been erased from most people’s memory. Despite the amicable breakup the girls are all doing well. Yaniboo is still showing ambition, but on a different front.
She’s transformed from hood chick to college girl and is in the beginning of a new career in modeling.
Zaire: You’ve been studying at Akron and you’re entering your sophomore year. How has college been?
Yani: College is great I love it here. I’ve always loved school, so put me in any college and I’ll make the best out of it. I received a scholarship for $1,000 for having done so good my freshman year, so as far as I’m concerned college is going great.
Zaire: You’re attempting to overcome a lot of barriers in life. Most black women from the hood in Cleveland find themselves in poverty, messed up relationships with children and no husbands. How have you focused to not fall into that trap? ¬ ¬
Yani: I come from a family of five and all my life growing up my mom always made sure my sister and I attended school every day because she had not done that with my older brothers and sisters.
Everyone has a turning point in their life and mines happened in the ninth grade. I was heading down the wrong path and I took a wrong turn but my mother was not about to let me crash. So instead she sent me to live with my father, which I did not like at first, but looking back it was the best thing I could have ever did.
Like I said previously I always loved school and in the ninth grade I started out [at] Glenville High School. [I was] hanging with the wrong people so moving to Elyria with my father got me back on track. [It kept] me focused to head in the right direction.
Zaire: So what are you majoring in at Akron?
Yani: My major is English and Communications right now. But I want to change it to English and Paralegal Studies. Akron does not have Paralegal Studies but they are rapidly growing so they might pick it up eventually. I want to become a Criminal Lawyer.
Zaire: You first entered the scene as a member of a group. Talk about that group and where it is today?
Yani: I was with the group Bad Bitches ENT. We were young and rapping had always been a passion of mine. Well something I enjoyed doing anyways. The other girls liked doing it as well but we eventually went our separate ways because two out of the three of us attend Akron. Our other group member went on to attend Toledo. Bad Bitches ENT is nothing more than a memory now. A good memory though. Today I do some featuring on songs but I am more focused on my future career. I do a lot more of modeling now as well.
Zaire: Let’s talk about your new calling. You’ve been modeling for Purple Plane. Tell us about that.
Yani: Well it’s really funny how I met them. This guy approaches me asking me would I like to do a photo shoot and so on. Of course I’m thinking no thanks. They came by my house to fit me for their clothes and I could see their dedication and passion when I got to the first photo shoot. I then began to see how truly motivated and dedicated they were.
Purple Plane turned out to be one of the best things that happened to me. Purple Plane is not just a clothing line but it is a movement. Purple represents the color of royalty and a plane takes you from one destination to another. So what Purple Plane means is that, you are the king or queen of your destination. The designers are Tru’Maine Neal and Tylon Allen. They are truly incredible people and they themselves represent [positivity].
Zaire: At the end of the day when you lay your head down, how do you feel about where you are in life?
Yani: I am very thankful and grateful to have made it where I am. I am only 20 years of age but not too many can say they’ve been where I’ve been or done what I have done. My life is heading in the right direction I just have to remain focused and stay on the right path. I thank God for letting me overcome the things I have been through. Had I not overcome them, I would not be where I am today. I’ve acquired more knowledge and new skills and I continue to do that because life is a learning lesson. I learn from my mistakes and grow from them.
(This interview is the official property of Rebel Life Media and www.ClevelandHipHop.net)
