So Solid stars represent UK music

Oxide and Neutrino: Will play to US music executives

So Solid Crew duo Oxide and Neutrino are among the acts who will represent the UK music scene at an influential music industry festival in the United States.

The pair, members of the controversial south London collective, will try to sell their chart-topping garage sounds to influential US record executives as part of a UK showcase.

So Solid Crew have stirred controversy in the UK

So Solid Crew have caused a furore in their home country with song references to guns and violence that have been accompanied by court appearances and shootings.

Oxide and Neutrino will play alongside rock bands Elbow and Cooper Temple Clause at a UK showcase gig at the South by South West festival in Texas in March.

The duo have had five UK top 20 singles of their own, including number one Bound 4 Da Reload, and also feature in the 30-strong So Solid Crew.

They stirred controversy last year when single U Can't Stop Dis S*** included lyrics about guns, violence and robbery.

Neutrino was wounded in the leg in a shooting in May 2001.

Elbow will perform on the same night as Oxide and Neutrino

The pair will play a DJ set at the showcase, intended to boost the UK music industry, which is worth almost £4bn worldwide.

"It will be interesting because it gives a flavour of what's up-and-coming in the UK," according to Sarah Roberts of the British Phonographic Industry, who are staging the show.

The gig is being funded by the Department of Trade and Industry through a scheme to promote UK exports.

'Movers and shakers'

"It's nice to be able to have a range of acts and show something that maybe people aren't familiar with and haven't heard before," Ms Roberts told BBC News Online.

She said many "movers and shakers" from the US music business would be present including record label executives, producers, managers and agents.

Ash were due to perform, but pulled out, leaving a slot for one more band.