419ers form phat rap crew

There is evidence that - having seen the error of their ways - Nigerian 419ers have decided to seek more legitimate forms of employment.

News has reached us of a UK/Nigerian rap outfit called 419 Squad, apparently the backing group for JJC (aka Skillz from Big Brovaz), but also a stand-alone musical unit.

Our correspondant Nick Wiseman tells us that "they're hot!", although we'll have to reserve judgement until we can spin some tracks for ourselves on the wheels of steel. Here, in the meantime, is what the 419 Squad's website has to say:

"The 419 Squad is a group of Nigerian rappers and singers, some born in Nigeria, while others were born to Nigerian parents in London. They are featured heavily on most tracks of the Atide album, and also appear with JJC at live shows. 419 Squad are currently writing and recording tracks for their solo album to be released in the first half of 2004.

"The Squad’s name is of course tongue-in-cheek: 419 is the number of the Nigerian statute that makes the infamous Nigerian advance fee fraud illegal. Most people will have received 419 emails or faxes."

Good show. To offer our support to 419 Squad in their musical endeavours, we've compiled a list of cover versions they might like to consider for future live appearences:

1. Money (Pink Floyd)
2. 
   
3. Money, money, money (Abba)
4. 
   
5. Money Machine (James Taylor)
6. 
   
7. Money makes the world go round (Liza Minelli)
8. 
   
9. Money (That's What I Want) (The Beatles)
10. 
    
11. Easy Money (Billy Joel)
12. 
    
13. Money for Nothing (Dire Straits)
14. 
    
15. If I were a rich man (Topol)
16. 
    
17. I fought the law... (The Clash)
18. 
    
19. Jailhouse Rock (Elvis)