• View Comments
• Share with Shortlink:

Mother. Rapper. Activist. Writer. Daughter of Destiny. Yonasda Lonewolf is all of these things and more. Being born the only girl during a historic time in the Civil Rights struggle for indigneous people in America made her special right from the start. But, being the granddaughter of one of the most controversial men in the world – Minister Louis Farrakhan – makes her downright interesting.

“I have to acknowledge my [late] mother Wauneta Lonewolf – her life, too, was filled like that. And I must say that I love it, because I can walk with so many people of various backgrounds. At times, it can be difficult,” Lonewolf admits. “In the Bible, God said, “I give you land; this is all yours. Sometimes we limit ourselves and we say, ‘I’m from Chicago; I’m from New York. God said, This is all yours.’ I’ve always been able to use that scripture to guide my life.”

As AllHipHop.com learned over its nearly week-long visit with the Nation of Islam just a few weeks ago in Rosemont, Illinios – it takes all types to build a nation. Certainly every movement or civilization in existence has in some way involved women. And Queen Yonasda – with her royal-inspired rap name – is about building and movements and civilization. At the same time, one can’t help but think how she breaks stereotypes. Queen Yonasda wears neither head-covering garb or traditional Islamic attire. Instead, for the special Saviours’ Day occasion, she chooses beautifully-woven and colored Native American outfits befitting a Queen. And she’s plenty down-to-earth.

“The Nation of Islam teaches ‘Knowledge of Self.’ One thing that many religious organizations do not go into ‘self’ – to where you came from, that Jesus wasn’t White,” she says. “Once you have knowledge of who you are and where you came from, you’re going to be much more prosperous – especially if you come from pride in who you are.”

As we floated through the convention center during the busy, activity-filled weekend, it was apparent that the Queen reigns supreme among her Nation of Islam family. She gave orders to high-ranking Fruit of Islam brothers (with kindness), was adored by the women and girls, and worked the panel circuit and stage like a true, music-promoting MC should.

“I released an album in 2009; it’s called God, Love and Music on 101 Distribution, that’s my distribution company, and it’s available for order at WalMart, and FYE, and online. I also have a mixtape that I’m going to release very soon. It’s called All Hail The Queen – it’s off the chain. I’ve got people like Keith Murray on there; of course, Cappadonna’s [with whom she had a previous marriage and shares a son] on there. It’s just a dope mixtape; it’s a party tape, and I want everyone to have a great time with not your typical mixtape.”

Watch the video of her rocking out at the Nation of Islam Saviours’ Day Hip-Hop and R&B concert. Then check out a video of a people who are near and dear to her heart – her late mother’s tribe from Pine Bluff, Arkansas:

Follow Queen Yonasda on Twitter (@QueenYoNasDa).