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Ya-ya

''Ya-ya'' (or ''yaya'') may refer to:

Music

Songs

"Ya Ya" is a 1961 single by American R&B singer Lee Dorsey, written by Dorsey, Clarence Lewis (credited as C. L. Blast), Bobby Robinson, and Morris Levy.^[4] Released on the Fury Records label, the track is a New Orleans R&B hit inspired by children's chants, peaking at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.^[5] "YA YA" is a song by American singer Beyoncé, released in 2024 as the twentieth track on her eighth studio album Cowboy Carter.^[6] The country-influenced track pays homage to Lee Dorsey's 1961 version, incorporating elements reminiscent of the original while blending in samples from The Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations" and Nancy Sinatra's "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'."^[7] "YAYA" (stylized in all caps) is a 2020 single by American rapper 6ix9ine, released on July 3 through Create Music Group as the third single from his second studio album TattleTales. The hip-hop track features aggressive delivery and was accompanied by an official music video directed by 6ix9ine himself.^[8]

Albums

One notable album titled Ya! Ya! is a jazz release by saxophonist Budd Johnson, recorded in early 1964 and issued on the Argo label.^[9] The album features Johnson leading a quartet with tracks emphasizing his tenor saxophone work, blending swing and bop influences.^[10] Another album with a variant title, Ya Ya Yippee, marks the eighth studio effort by the Belgian girl group K3, released on September 4, 2006, via Studio 100.^[11] Produced for a young audience, it consists of upbeat pop tracks designed to engage children with catchy melodies and themes of fun and adventure.^[12] The album's title evokes exuberant playfulness, aligning with K3's signature style of family-oriented music.

Film and literature

Films

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood is a 2002 American comedy-drama film directed by Callie Khouri, marking her feature directorial debut after writing the screenplay for Thelma & Louise.^[14] The story follows Siddalee "Sidda" Walker, a successful playwright played by Sandra Bullock, who becomes estranged from her mother, Vivi Abbott Walker (Ellen Burstyn), following a critical interview; to reconcile them, Vivi's lifelong friends—known as the Ya-Ya Sisterhood—intervene by kidnapping Sidda and sharing stories from their shared past in 1930s and 1940s Louisiana.^[14]) Adapted from Rebecca Wells' 1996 novel of the same name, the film explores themes of mother-daughter relationships, friendship, and Southern family dynamics through a mix of present-day events and flashbacks.^[15] Ya Ya (also stylized as Ya Yaa) is a 2013 Indian Tamil-language comedy film written and directed by newcomer I. Rajasekaran, who previously assisted on films like Boss Engira Bhaskaran.) Starring Shiva as the lead alongside Santhanam and Dhansika, the plot revolves around a young man's romantic pursuit complicated by a love triangle and humorous schemes orchestrated by friends and rivals to disrupt the budding relationship.^[16] Set in contemporary Tamil Nadu, the film emphasizes comedic misunderstandings and ensemble antics among the characters, highlighting loyalty and deception in matters of the heart.)

Novels

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood is a novel written by American author Rebecca Wells and first published in 1996 by HarperCollins. Set primarily in Louisiana, the story draws from Wells's upbringing in the region, with characters inspired by individuals she knew growing up there.^[17] The narrative explores themes of enduring female friendship, complex mother-daughter relationships, and Southern family dynamics, including forgiveness and the revelation of long-held secrets.^[18] It follows theater director Siddalee Walker as she receives a scrapbook titled "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" from her mother Vivi's lifelong friends—the Ya-Yas—prompting a journey of reconciliation amid intergenerational conflicts.^[18] The book spans from the 1930s to the present, highlighting the bonds and imperfections within a tight-knit group of women in Thornton, Louisiana.^[18] This novel was adapted into a 2002 film directed by Callie Khouri, starring Sandra Bullock and Ellen Burstyn.^[14] The Ya-Ya series also includes the prequel Little Altars Everywhere (1992) and the sequel Ya-Yas in Bloom (2004), both by Rebecca Wells, expanding on the characters and themes introduced in the original novel.

Other uses

Animals

Ya Ya is a female giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) born on August 3, 2000, at the Beijing Zoo in China.^[19]^[20] Her parents were Li Li, born September 18, 1986, and Ying Ying, born August 15, 1991.^[21] On April 7, 2003, Ya Ya arrived at the Memphis Zoo in Tennessee, United States, as part of a long-term loan agreement under China's panda diplomacy program, where she lived alongside the male panda Le Le until his death in February 2023.^[20]^[22] During her two decades at the zoo, Ya Ya became a beloved resident and a symbol of U.S.-China conservation collaboration, participating in breeding and educational initiatives that raised awareness for giant panda protection.^[19]^[22] Ya Ya returned to China on April 27, 2023, transported via a chartered freight plane from Memphis International Airport to Shanghai, followed by relocation to the Beijing Zoo for continued care and potential breeding.^[23]^[20] As of August 2025, Ya Ya celebrated her 25th birthday at the Beijing Zoo, with her health reported to be improving.^[24] Her repatriation marked the end of the Memphis Zoo's panda exhibit and highlighted ongoing international efforts to bolster wild panda populations through captive breeding programs.^[22]

Familial terms

In Greek, "yaya" (γιαγιά) serves as a common term of endearment for a grandmother, applicable to either the paternal or maternal side, reflecting the close familial bonds in Greek culture.^[25] In colloquial Spanish, particularly in Spain and parts of Latin America, "yaya" is an affectionate nickname for a grandmother, though it can occasionally extend to a nanny or caregiver in domestic contexts.^[26]^[27] In Filipino, specifically Tagalog, "yaya" refers to a nanny or live-in childminder, a role often integral to household childcare arrangements.^[28] In certain Afro-Caribbean religious traditions, such as Palo Mayombe—an African diasporic practice originating in Cuba—"yaya" denotes a mother figure or high priestess, signifying a female elder who has achieved spiritual initiation and leadership within the community.^[29] Variations in spelling, such as "Yaya" capitalized as a personal name, appear in multicultural contexts but retain these familial connotations.^[2]

Slang and phrases

In casual English slang, "ya-ya" functions as a versatile interjection used for greetings, farewells, or encouragement, such as exclaiming "ya-ya" to say hello, goodbye, or to praise a job well done.^[30] A prominent modern use emerged in early 2025 as the "Raise your ya ya ya" TikTok trend, a vocal warm-up technique that gained viral popularity by encouraging users to sing "ya ya ya" on ascending open vowels to extend vocal range and reach high notes more easily.^[31]^[32] The method was popularized through videos by Broadway vocal coach Jodie Langel, who first demonstrated it while teaching a student during a Texas Thespians workshop in late 2024.^[31]^[33] Langel developed the exercise from her professional experience performing eight shows a week on Broadway, where it helped singers navigate challenging melodies in musical theater.^[32] Participants often pair the warm-up with upbeat gestures, like pointing skyward, turning it into an engaging, shareable challenge that has amassed millions of views across social platforms.^[33] This trend draws loose inspiration from repetitive "ya ya" refrains in contemporary song lyrics, such as those in Beyoncé's 2024 track "YA YA" from her album Cowboy Carter.^[34]

References

[1]
The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood - Rebecca Wells
They persuade Vivi to send Sidda a scrapbook of girlhood momentos entitled "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. ... By turns comic and poignant, it speaks ...
[2]
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood - HarperCollins Publishers
In stock Rating 4.2 13 Dec 7, 2004 · Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. A Novel. By Rebecca Wells,. On Sale: December 7, 2004. Divine Secrets ...
[3]
PAPERBACK BEST SELLERS: September 6, 1998
Sep 6, 1998 · 1 29 DIVINE SECRETS OF THE YA-YA SISTERHOOD, by Rebecca Wells. (Harper Perennial, $13.50.) The experiences -- marriage, motherhood, anguish ...
[4]
About — Rebecca Wells
Rebecca's Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, about mothers and daughters, female friendships, alcoholism, and spirituality, was on the #1 NY Times ...
[5]
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002) - IMDb
Rating 6.1/10 (21,658) Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood: Directed by Callie Khouri. With Sandra Bullock, Ellen Burstyn, Fionnula Flanagan, James Garner.Full cast & crew · Ashley Judd as Younger Vivi · Sandra Bullock as Sidda · Awards
[6]
The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002) - Box Office and ...
The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002). Theatrical Performance. Domestic Box Office, $69,586,544, Details. International Box Office, $4,240,224 ...
[7]
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood | Rotten Tomatoes
Rating 43% (143) Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood ... A classic Southern tale of hilarious sadness set in a sleepy Louisiana parish. A group of lifelong friends stage a ...
[8]
Remembering "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood - Marie Claire
Jun 7, 2022 · On the 20th anniversary of the cult classic movie, one writer reflects on her real-life "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood” and her mission ...
[9]
"Ya Ya" by Lee Dorsey Lyrics | List of Movies & TV Shows - What Song
Ya Ya - Lee Dorsey. Lee Dorsey. Ya Ya. Listen to Ya Ya on Apple Music Download ... SONGWRITERS LEVY, MORRIS / DORSEY, LEE / LEWIS, CLARENCE L PUBLISHED BY ...
[10]
Billboard Hot 100™
Peak Position. 1. Peak Chart Date. 10/23/61. Chart History. Lazy loaded ... Ya Ya. Lee Dorsey. LW; 10. PEAK; 9. WEEKS; 7. LW; 10; PEAK; 9; WEEKS; 7. Debut ...
[11]
‎YA YA - Song by Beyoncé - Apple Music
YA YA song by Beyoncé. YA YA. COWBOY CARTER. Beyoncé. March 29, 2024. Lyrics. Hello, girls (Hello, Beyoncé) Hello, fellas (You're pretty swell)
[12]
Beyoncé Is Riding Into Her Country Era. Here's What to Know.
Beyoncé Is Riding Into Her Country Era. Here's What to Know. The singer ... Ya Ya,” a possible cover of the 1961 Lee Dorsey single. The album features ...
[13]
YAYA - song and lyrics by 6ix9ine - Spotify
Listen to YAYA on Spotify. Song · 6ix9ine · 2020. ... Popular Releases by 6ix9ine. DUMMY BOY (Revised). Album • 2018 · Day69: Graduation Day. Album • 2018.
[14]
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0279778/
[15]
Budd Johnson – Ya! Ya! (Full Album) - ProJazz.net
Aug 19, 2018 · Ya! Ya! is an album by saxophonist Budd Johnson which was recorded in early 1964 and released on the Argo label. Track listing: “Ya! Ya!
[16]
Argo Album Discography, Part 1 (1956-1965)
Nov 4, 2005 · LPS-736 - Ya! Ya! - Budd Johnson [1964] Come Rain/Big Al/Exotique/Revolution/Tag Along/Chloe/When Hearts Are Young/Where It's At LPS-737 ...
[17]
https://www.rebeccawellsbooks.com/about
[18]
Ya Ya Yippee - Album by K3 - Apple Music
Listen to Ya Ya Yippee by K3 on Apple Music. 2006. 12 Songs. Duration: 39 minutes. ... January 1, 2006 12 songs, 39 minutes ℗ 2006 Studio 100. More By K3.
[19]
Ya Ya Yippee — K3 - Last.fm
Listen free to K3 – Ya Ya Yippee (Ya Ya Yippee, Dokter Dokter and more). 12 tracks (39:28). Discover more music, concerts, videos, and pictures with the ...
[20]
Flip or Flick: Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood - Falvey Library
May 23, 2022 · By Allie Reczek. Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood was written in 1996 by Rebecca Wells. This story shifts back and forth between ...
[21]
Ya-Ya spirit blooms in ailing author Wells
**Summary:**
[22]
Publisher description for Divine secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood
Publisher description for Divine secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood : a novel / Rebecca Wells. Bibliographic record and links to related information available ...
[23]
Shreveport readers, writers come together at book fest
Nov 9, 2016 · Louisiana native Rebecca Wells wrote “Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood,” published in 1996. The intensely southern story has sold six ...Missing: themes semi-<|control11|><|separator|>
[24]
Ya Ya the giant panda returns to China after 20 years abroad - PBS
Apr 27, 2023 · Ya Ya was born Aug. 3, 2000, in Beijing. She lived at the Memphis Zoo along with Le Le, a male panda who was born July 18, 1998. Le Le died ...
[25]
Giant Panda Ya Ya lands in Shanghai after 20-year Memphis ...
Apr 27, 2023 · Ya Ya was born on August 3, 2000 and made the trip to the U.S. on April 7, 2003 with giant panda Le Le from Shanghai Zoo. After her 20-year stay ...
[26]
Pandas in the United States
Ya Ya “Beautiful Little Girl” (female) was born on August 3, 2000 at the Beijing Zoo, China. Her mother is Li Li (9/18/1986) and father Ying Ying (8/15/1991). ...
[27]
Memphis Loves Pandas
Memphis Zoo will forever be grateful for the 20 years we got to spend caring for giant panda, Ya Ya. Our female giant panda, Ya Ya, left for China in April ...
[28]
Ya Ya the panda returns home to China from Memphis Zoo
Apr 27, 2023 · Ya Ya the panda arrived in the U.S. 20 years ago as a fluffy gesture of China's friendship with America. But she returned home Thursday the ...
[29]
GREEK WORD FOR GRANDFATHER - irc - Rice University
The female equivalent, meaning grandmother, is "γιαγιά" (yaya). How do you pronounce "παππούς" (pappous)?. It is pronounced "pah-poos," with emphasis on ...
[30]
yaya meaning - Speaking Latino
In Spanish slang, 'yaya' is a term usually used to refer to a grandmother. It is a colloquial and affectionate term, commonly used in Spain.
[31]
https://www.forbes.com/sites/lesliekatz/2025/01/08/raise-your-ya-ya-ya-the-viral-tiktok-trend-explained/
[32]
Definition of the Tagalog word yaya
Definition for the Tagalog word yaya: 1 [noun] nanny • au pair • nurse maid 2 [noun] invitation • invited
[33]
[PDF] an ethnographic study of palo mayombe - UFDC Image Array 2
refer to someone that has been granted the secrets to enter priesthood. 3 Yaya is a title that is given to female elders in the Kongo and Kongo religions that ...
[34]
yaya - Wiktionary, the free dictionary
From Tagalog yaya, from Philippine Spanish yaya. Noun. yaya (plural yayas). (Philippines, Hong Kong) A nanny; female caregiver; nursemaid. 2020 June 3, William ...English · Spanish · Swahili · Tagalog
[35]
ya-ya - Urban Dictionary
ya-ya: a greeting, such as hello or good bye, also used as a an encouragement for a job well done. ... From the 1945 Cajun book "Gumbo Ya Ya" meaning everyone ...Missing: interjection | Show results with:interjection
[36]
'Raise Your Ya Ya Ya': The Viral TikTok Trend, Explained - Forbes
Jan 9, 2025 · The “raise your ya ya ya” trend began with a TikTok video of Broadway actor and vocal coach Jodie Langel teaching a student at a Texas Thespians ...Missing: warm- | Show results with:warm-
[37]
What Does 'Raise your Ya Ya Ya' Mean? Explaining The Slang
Feb 4, 2025 · The technique involves singing open vowels to hit higher notes in difficult songs; something she learned while doing eight shows a week in her Broadway career.
[38]
How 'Raising Your Ya Ya Ya' Became a Way of Life Online
Jan 14, 2025 · Langel's answer: getting the student to sing the words “raise your ya ya ya,” while pointing straight to the sky. After a few successful ...<|separator|>
[39]
YA YA Lyrics - Beyoncé - Genius
Mar 29, 2024 · “YA YA” is COWBOY CARTER's most blatantly political statement, as Beyoncé embodies the titular character and speaks about the need to “keep the faith”