USA Still United

Ying Yang Twins is one of the most recognized duos in the rap & hip-hop industry

With the release of their high-impact album U.S.A. (United States of Atlanta), and the success of their singles Wait (The Whisper Song), Shake, and Bedroom Boom, 2005 was a banner year for the Ying Yang Twins (D-Roc and Kaine). To celebrate, the Southern party-rap platinum duo released U.S.A. (Still United) at the tail-end of the year. The Ying Yang Twins treat fans to more intoxicating club jams. It is a a companion-piece to their massive U.S.A. (United States of Atlanta) and a satisfying collection of outtakes, remixes, and collaborations with mixtape-styled interludes from Mr. Collipark and barely any pauses between the tracks. The Ying Yang Twins have another reason to celebrate – they’ve been nominated for a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for Wait (The Whisper Song). Today they are one of the most recognized duos in the rap & hip-hop industry.

Three 6 Mafia, Bun B, Elephant Man and others are featured on U.S.A. (Still United)

The set commences with Wiggle Then Move, a crunk strip-club anthem that is quite catchy despite an annoying screeching sound that is repeated throughout the song’s entirety. The Pink finds the Ying Yang Twins at their comedic best, turning the theme song from The Pink Panther into a booty-shaking affair reminiscent of how they flipped Whistle While You Work in the past. It’s a fun version, and one of the highlights on the album. Meanwhile 4 Oz. is yet another unused leftover from the U.S.A. (United States of Atlanta sessions that features Three 6 Mafia. Git It, from Bun B’s recent release, Trill, is a Wait (The Whisper Song) rehash that features the usual Ying Yang Twins antics along with Bun B. Speaking of Wait (The Whisper Song), the misogynistic track is present in the form of an Ultimix Remix, an extended version of the song that throws in some Salt Shaker elements for good measure. Their current single Shake appears in the same remixed form seen on Pitbull’s recent release, and features new verses from the artists, with the addition of an Elephant Man appearance. Finally, Ms. New Booty finds the Ying Yang Twins collaborating with Bubba Sparxxx over a rehashed and barely disguised version of the instrumental to David Banner’s Play.

Ying Yang Twins bring the fun back into music

Named after the Chinese symbol for light and dark (Yin and Yang), the Atlanta duo established themselves as urban music’s most dominant twosome thanks to their ability to crank out hit after hit. Whether working with hometown super-producers Lil’ Jon or Mr. Collipark or pairing up with pop princess Britney Spears, the Ying Yang Twins bring the fun back into music. The Twins have successfully muzzled the detractors and outlasted their many critics to become platinum-plus fixtures on the pop charts. A victory lap following the runaway success of U.S.A. (United States of Atlanta) and its ubiquitous single Wait (The Whisper Song), U.S.A. (Still United) plays for nearly 50 minutes. On tracks like the insanely catchy Git It, the Ying Yang Twins act as if the entire sex industry will crumble and every strip club will be transformed into a monastery unless it cranks out a never-ending supply of irresistible strip-club anthems. Superproducer Mr. Collipark serves up an inspired variation on his signature "intimate club music" throughout the disc, lacing the Ying Yang Twins with sex-saturated synthesizers, leeringly lascivious grooves, and infectiously sleazy red-light-district atmosphere.