Due to explicit lyrics,
the Ying Yang Twins will not be bringing the crunk to Florida’s Pro Player
Stadium as previously scheduled.
Florida Atlantic
University officials, citing obscene and sexually overt lyrics on the Twins’
three albums, canceled the rap duo’s planned concert for a Dec. 4 football
game versus Florida International.
The announcement
came a day after the school confirmed that the Twins would perform.
Several students
had expressed their approval of the Atlanta duo’s appearance, upon hearing the
news.
“That’s a
pretty good group,” defensive back Quincy Skinner told Florida’s
Sun Sentinel. “They should draw a nice crowd."
But despite the
welcomed reception, university authorities were firm in their judgment. "It’s
the right decision," said Mary Cameron, director of FAU’s Women’s Studies
program. "Everybody recognizes those lyrics are offensive and degrading
to women."
Before the performance
was called off, Dexter LaMont, head of marketing for the athletic department,
said the Twins had a number of radio-friendly hits and clean versions of songs
available. The group, he added, would capture the attention of college students
the school desired to reach.
In drafting the
show contract, FAU Athletic Director Craig Angelos, who helped book the Twins,
said the agreement required that the performance be suitable for all ages.
"We were assured
that the concert would be a family-friendly show," Angelos said. "But
the university does not want to appear to be endorsing the kind of language
found in their other songs [on the albums]."
FAU is currently
seeking a replacement for the Twins, but according to Angelos, it is improbable
with less than two weeks until the game.
The university
will likely reimburse the Twins for airline tickets already purchased.
The Ying Yang Twins
are famous for their hit “Get Low” with fellow Atlanta native and
crunk specialist Lil Jon.
Both have played
a major role in the explosion of crunk, whose origins lie in Atlanta. Because
of its high energy and club-oriented style, crunk songs are increasingly favored
at sporting events to rally fans and to introduce athletes.
