‘Always on Time', ‘What's Luv', ‘Mesmerize' – remember those songs? Ja Rule and Ashanti fans will. And they should start practising their lyrics because the dynamic duo is coming to the Mount this month.

On Friday, December 30, Pato Entertainment and Talk Later presents Ja Rule and Ashanti at Soper Reserve, which promoters are calling ‘Mount Park' as part of their new venue project.

Chingy will also be performing and New Zealand RNB artist Mikey Mayz will be opening the show.

'This is a one-off experience to see these acts live and direct from the United States in Mount Maunganui,” says event director Pato Alvarez.

'You don't get these kinds of acts performing here all the time. This is their only New Zealand show.”

Pato says audiences should expect a great show. 'I've experienced this show live before and these guys sound even better up close and personal.”

There are 3500 tickets on sale and Pato is confident the show will sell out. 'About 40-50 per cent of tickets have already sold and the rest are selling fast.”

Securing big acts like Ashanti and Ja Rule coincides with the development of Tauranga City, says Pato.

'Tauranga is one of the faster growing cities in the country – and with these kinds of events happening exclusively in Tauranga it's awesome for the economy, as this event should bring in thousands of people from out of town.”

The artists will be in Tauranga for two nights and Pato is looking forward to showing them around the city.

'They love New Zealand,” says Pato. 'Most of the international artists we bring to NZ always want to come back so that says it all. We look after them really well while they here.”

Limited meet and greet tickets are available for an additional cost. Tickets for the December 30 performance are on now sale from www.theticketfairy.co.nz or Super Liquor in Mount Maunganui, next to The Rising Tide on Newton St.