During Hip Hop's Golden Age, MC's PJ and Duncan aka Ant and Dec were the UK's biggest rapping duo. In 1994, they released the classic 'Let's Get Ready To Rhumble' which hit the UK Top 10 and went on to sell thousands of copies across Great Britain and Gibraltar. To this date, the track is still the biggest selling rap record by a UK artist of all time. "I'll never forget that day" said Duncan as he wiped a lonely tear from his left cheek, "as soon as Bruno Brookes announced our chart position on the Radio 1 Top 40, fellow UK rapper Derek B (43) called to congratulate us, as his single 'Good Groove'' previously held the prestigious title. 'Rhumble' opened many doors for us and got us the respect we deserved as real MC's."
Above: Running out of Juice - The Bad Young Brother Derek B (43) performing on stage for the back of peoples heads***.
At the same time, RZA, who was touring the UK with Wu Tang Clan, was looking for new MC's to join the collective. "I was in London promoting the album and whilst listening to the radio I heard 'Let's Get Ready To Rhumble'. At first I thought it was EPMD, but then the DJ announced that it was these UK cats PJ and Duncan. I just had to get them in the clan, so my manager arranged a meeting for the following day and boom! It was on" said the RZA who apparently was unaware that PJ and Duncan also were the country's best known practical jokers.
Above: "Grumpy Old Bugger" RZA having lunch with David the winner of the radio times have lunch with RZA competition.
The meeting between the trio was held at 5 in the morning at a pub in East London. "As I approached the door, these two crazy looking bouncers with long beards and glasses stop me and ask me what I am doing here and who I am here to see" explains RZA "they then said that they need to strip search me because they were worried that I was an assassin sent to kill PJ and Duncan as they were getting death threats from EPMD fans, at first I declined but I needed to meet these two cats, so after 5 minutes I agreed to the full cavity search. After the two hour ordeal they turned to me, ripped off their fake beards, shouted Psyche and told me that they were PJ and Duncan and that they were filming a sketch for a new Children's BBC comedy show named 'Psyche'. Then from out of nowhere a TV crew appeared and everyone started to clap and laugh." But RZA did not see the funny side of the fake business meeting, he continues "I was so pissed that I punched PJ in the mouth and grabbed Duncan by the balls". As they lie on the ground crying, RZA then forced the producers of the programme to give him the video tapes of the incident and then left the building. For the duo, the incident was so distressing that after months of much needed therapy they reverted back to their real names 'Ant' and 'Dec' and traded their microphones for a career in television hosting the UK version of Pop Idol, CD UK and a number of other highly successful shows. But even though 14 years have passed the incident still upsets the double act; "that RIZZY was a right grumpy old bugger!" Shouts a red faced PJ whilst banging his fists on a table: "He not only ruined our music career but he also destroyed the Wang Tang Clan, because if we would have joined, they would still be big today and possibly would have already appeared on 'I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here'".
After being told what PJ and Duncan had said about him, the RZA responded: "F**k them w*ggers if I ever see them suckers again they gonna need to protect their neck!" A few days later RZA apologised for referring to the duo as W*ggers as Ant's brother is half W*igger"
*** Are you the pale faced Derek B picture guy in the picture with Derek B or is he a friend of yours? If so we would love to speak to you. Please e-mail us at the address above.
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