The Shadow
FAIRLEA, WV (VR)- Fans of early-2000s hip-hop will have a chance to relive one of the genre’s most memorable eras when the Ying Yang Twins and Paul Wall perform at the State Fair of West Virginia on Wednesday, Aug. 19, at 8:00 PM. The concert pairs two artists whose music helped define Southern rap during the 2000s, with a plethora of platinum-selling albums, chart-topping singles, and collaborations that remain staples of hip-hop playlists more than two decades later.
The Ying Yang Twins, made up of Kaine and D-Roc, burst onto the national scene in the early 2000s with their energetic club anthems and unmistakable Southern sound. Though not credited as their song, Lil Jon’s “Get Low–you know, to the windowwwww, to the wall–featured the Ying Yang Twins who sang through 90 percent of that hit including the famous line just mentioned.
Their breakthrough came with the 2003 hit “Salt Shaker,” followed by a string of successful singles including “What’s Happnin!,” “Wait (The Whisper Song),” “Badd,” and “Shake.” Their 2005 album, U.S.A. (United State of Atlanta), became one of the duo’s biggest commercial successes, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and earning platinum certification. Known for their high-energy live performances and collaborations with artists including Lil Jon, Pitbull and Wyclef Jean, the duo remains one of the most recognizable acts from the crunk movement that helped bring Southern hip-hop into the national spotlight.
Houston native Paul Wall carved out his own place in hip-hop history with his laid-back delivery, homage to Texas style, and strong connection to the city’s legendary car and “grillz” culture.
After building a loyal regional following, he broke through nationally with his 2005 major-label debut, The People’s Champ, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. His signature hits include “Sittin’ Sidewayz,” “Girl,” and the Grammy-nominated collaboration “Grillz” with Nelly, Ali & Gipp.
Throughout a career spanning more than two decades, Wall has remained an influential figure in Southern rap, continuing to release new music while collaborating with artists from multiple generations and helping introduce Houston’s sound to mainstream audiences.
Together, the Ying Yang Twins and Paul Wall represent a defining chapter in 2000s hip-hop, a period when Southern artists reshaped the sound of mainstream rap. Their concert at the State Fair of West Virginia promises an evening filled with nostalgia, crowd favorites and the high-energy performances that made both acts household names. Fans can expect to hear many of the songs that dominated radio stations, clubs and playlists during one of hip-hop’s most influential eras as the two artists bring their decades of experience to the fair stage in Fairlea.
Brandon’s Ying Yang and Paul Wall Favorites:
As stated above, I always felt “Get Low” was a Ying Yang Twins song and not Lil Jon. They do all the work while he just yells the whole time, but he yells well, so it really doesn’t matter. What’s Happnin is a good song by them as is Georgia Dome (not sure it’s appropriate to market that to a family audience of readers). Salt Shaker, Whisper, and Say I Yi Yi are some I always liked. For Paul Wall, obviously Grillz and Sittin Sidewayz are up there, as is “They Don’t Know,” which may be the most underrated.
