LEGENDS of the music industry will be descending on the 1865 club in Southampton on Saturday August 18.

Pioneers of hip hop, the Sugarhill Gang, DJ Melle Mel and Scorpio (from Furious Five) helped to ensure rap became famous the whole world through.

As the age of Disco drew to a close, music fans the world over were ready for an injection of freshness – it was 1979 and a new urban sound had found its feet on the East Coast of America.

In Englewood, New Jersey a three-piece called Sugarhill Gang were soon to become the forefathers of hip hop, as their hit single Rapper’s Delight was released, eventually selling 8 million copies and becoming the largest selling 12” single of all time, taking them global.

Meanwhile, in the projects of South Bronx, legendary DJ Grandmaster Flash had assembled with The Furious Five, who were simultaneously spreading The Message and liberating dance floors around the world with a new Freedom.

Following Flash’s departure from the group The Furious Five would go on to achieve UK Top 10’s with historic numbers such as White Lines, Step Off and Beat Street.

After years signed to the same label, Sugarhill, both acts are re-uniting for one of hip hop’s finest moments of the year.

Fans are in store for the biggest old school showdown, as Sugarhill Gang’s Hen Dog, Master Gee and Wonder Mike combine forces with Furious Five’s Melle Mel and Scorpio to deliver a double billing, which will have the UK shufflin’ the freak all night long.

Tickets from the 1865 on: 02380 222605 or via: JTM Promotions on Facebook.

Any heavy lifting following the gigs is probably not advisable – we’re talking about pioneers of the phrase “‘Get your hands in the air” here.