Ying Yang Twins, featuring D-Roc (born De'Angelo Holmes, February 23,1979) and Kaine (born Eric Jackson, December 16th, 1978) broke onto the airwaves with their first single, "Whistle While You Twurk," (2000), peaking at number 17 on the US R&B/Hip-Hop Chart. Alongside extensive touring, their debut album came out later that year, titled "Thug Walkin'." Their fist-pumping tracks full of party-vibes drew the attention of A&R man Bryan Leach, which led to the duo signing to TVT Records, having already connected with Lil Jon. However, formalities were not completed before the Ying Yang Twins were to release their second record, "Alley: The Return of the Ying Yang Twins" (2002) which was instead released on Koch, achieving significant popularity with hip-hop fans in the South.
Their first record for TVT, "Me & My Brother" was released in 2003, which went on to be certified Platinum the following year, with their three hit songs "Whats Happnin!," "Naggin" and the collaborations with Lil Jon, "Salt Shaker" and "Kings of Crunk." These two tracks were massive hits that year, receiving extensive airplay and establishing both Lil Jon and the Ying Yang Twins in the Hip-Hop world, breaking into audiences outside of the American South.
Following an appearance on Britney Spears' song, "In the Zone," the duo released their next album, "United State of Atlanta (U.S.A)" (2005), which again dominated urban radio stations. Their success continued with 2006's "Chemically Imbalanced" and their legacy was compiled in 2009's "Legendary Status: Ying Yang Twins Greatest Hits" which featured all of their biggest hits.
If you think that Miley Cyrus was the one who brought twerking to the spotlight, guess again.
Since 1997, the Ying Yang Twins have been making music that has inspired women (and some men) from all over to get their booties down on the floor. With seven albums and a slew of mixtapes, they’ve released a number of hit singles including ‘Salt Shaker,’ ‘Shake’ and ‘Wait (The Whisper Song).’ And they’re still making music now with themed mixtapes like ‘Twurk or Die,’ which they released in 2013, and even dedicated an entire track to the ‘We Won’t Stop’ singer that is appropriately titled, ‘Miley Cyrus. With all these ass shaking songs, clearly catching them live is one big crazy party. Usually packing a nightclub, there are so many people that one would think that such dancing would not exist. However, these people make it happen and some even make it onto the Ying Yangs stage. The two are usually casually dressed but are carrying so much swagger that you can’t help but get into everything they say. Obviously a Ying Yang Twins show is not for the faint of heart. If you’re easily offended by overtly sexual banter and the gyrating movements that seem to surround people at these gigs, it might be best to sit this one out. But if you’re all into having wilding out and having a laugh, then the Ying Yang Twins are a hip hop duo not to be missed.