AN American hip-hop superstar will be bringing his unique music to Southend this year - one of just a handful of gigs around the country.

Nelly, who is best known for hits such as Hot in Herre, Over and Over and Dilemma featuring Kelly Rowland from Destiny's Child, will be performing at the Cliffs Pavilion in Southend in December - the last of his UK gigs this year.

The rapper from St Louis, Missouri has not played live in the UK for a number of years so tickets are expected to go fast for the one off concert on December 5, at 7pm.

The UK dates are part of a tour which takes in a number of venues across America and will also include dates in Sussex, Nottingham, Cambridge, Cardiff, Liverpool and Norwich.

The musician's 2000 album Country Grammar gave Nelly his big break and was followed up by album Nellyville, making him the third biggest-selling act of the 2000s in the USA.

He has since sold more than 21 million albums in the US alone and has won two Grammy Awards.

The tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, at 9am, but a presale is also being held from today at 9am at ticketmaster.co.uk.

There will be standing and seated tickets on sale.

Tickets prices have yet to be released.

You need to be aged at least 14 to attend.