Before the years runs out, a couple more international artistes are bound to visit Nigeria. In recent times, the country has been a mecca of sorts for world-famous best-selling acts, including Jay Z, Beyonce, Akon, Snoop Dogg and Diana Ross.

In the past weeks, Angie Stone and Junior Reid have joined the train, with interesting stories to tell about Nigeria and her people.

Now, in December, famous crunk rap group, the Ying Yang Twins are set to visit the country for the first time ever.

Showbiz sources revealed last week that the queer duo have confirmed their appearance at the album launch concert for a promising Nigerian artiste named Shank. The launch cum concert has been scheduled for December 15 in Lagos.

Along with several home-grown talents across genres of popular music, the group will be performing at the much anticipated event to celebrate the arrival of the rap whiz.

Speaking recently from their base in Atlanta, USA, the “brothers” said they could not wait to hit the Nigerian soil for the show, which the organisers, Starville Entertainment, have promised will be groundbreaking.

Ying Yang Twins, consisting of Kaine (born Eric Jackson on December 16, 1978) and D-Roc (born Deongelo Holmes on February 23, 1979), first came to notice in 2000 with the single Whistle While You Twurk, which got play on urban and pop radio stations and peaked at #16 on the US R&B/Hip-Hop chart.

Their full-length debut album, Thug Walkin', came out later that year.

The artiste Shank has been working on this work for about one year, says Starville spokesman, Iloya. “We want to make sure that the work will meet the high expectations of Shank’s fans so we have been working hard to deliver quality,” he says.

The coming CD, titled The Birth, which includes the hit single Julie, will contain between 15 and 20 songs. Some of the collaborations on the work will also include a partnership with Senegalese American singer Akon, in an unprecedented style that fuses dancehall with rap and R&B.

The show, says Iloya, will serve as Shank’s official arrival after years of underground work and collaborations. One of his most recent works include three tracks on Gino’s blockbuster album, Pain Plus Work, in which he laid very unusual lines that hinted at his outstanding message and personality.

Apart from dance tracks, the themes in The Birth run through peace, love, and hard work. Some of the lines also make a case for civil liberties. But beyond that, the record is a window into the abundant talent of Nigerian artistes. “Despite the saturation of the airwaves with an enormous variety of sounds, it is heartening that a sound so unique as Shank’s is still achievable,” Iloya enthused.

http://odili.net/news/source/2007/nov/4/242.html