Ying Yang Twins

The Ying Yang Twins', D-Roc and Kaine, contribution to hip-hop culture is heard as far back as 1998 when DJ Smurf aka Mr. Collipark, invited the duo to be part of his third album, Dead Crunk. Packed with southern bass songs and artists. "One On One" would be the first recorded Ying Yang Twins song. In 1998 Lil Jon featured the duo on his So So Def Bass All-Stars Compilation, Volume III. The song, "True City Thugs" was a hit on the streets and could be heard in local strip clubs as well as through D-boy's Heavy Chevy amplifiers and speakers. Shortly thereafter, the Twins released the two-song single "Whistle While You Twurk" and B-sided "Bring Yo Azz Outdoz" (2000), another underground hit. When the East Atlanta representatives released the Billboard-charting, strip-club anthem "Whistle While You Twurk" the duo managed to garner a loyal following located primarily in the South. "Whistle While You Twurk" moved over 200,000 units. But many hip-hoppers thought it was a wrap for the Ying Yang Twins (YYT) when the estate that owns Snow White's "Whistle While You Work" legally forced them to change the song because the Twins neglected to clear the sample. Thug Walkin', their debut album via Universal, sold over 100,000 units but made little noise on the Billboard. Ultimately, KOCH came knocking in 2002 and offered the Twins and their loyal producer and company CEO, Mr. Collipark, an opportunity to release Alley: The Return of the Ying Yang Twins. Complete with adrenaline-heavy beats sure to get the club crunk, the album included "Say I Yi Yi", another southern banger. Even though it lacked promotion, Alley sold over 400,000 units; it fell short of gold status as the YYT production was misunderstood by an industry who really couldn't grasp the YYT concept. Fast-forward to 2002 when Lil Jon and The Eastside Boyz invited the Twins to record "Get Low" for their double platinum-selling album, Kings of Crunk. Heard from strip-clubs to sorority houses, "Get Low" was the defining moment of the YYT career. Dissatisfied with previous record companies, Mr. Collipark moved the Ying Yang Twins over to TVT Records. With all necessary elements in place, Me & My Brother, their TVT-debut, is now platinum history. U.S.A. (United State of Atlanta) is the Twins' senior album. It is also the most-anticipated creation from The Source Magazine's Group of the Year 2004.