Platinum selling rapper
Twista is spearheading a concert with various members of the Chicago Hip-Hop community
to raise money for victims of Hurricane Katrina.
The rapper is organizing a free concert that will take place
September 19 at the House of Blues in Chicago. Confirmed Chicago rappers include
Da Brat, Do or Die, Shawnaa, Crucial Conflict and Bump J.
Twista is calling on fans to donate money, food and clothes
that will go to the victims of the hurricane, which is the worst natural disaster
in the history of the United States.
At least 250,000 people are homeless due to the hurricane and
officials estimate the final death toll in Louisiana alone will top 10,000.
"We as a people need to stop pointing the finger of blame
and help our fellow brothers and sisters in their time of need,” Twista
said. “This is not a game, we are in a national crisis.”
In monetary terms, the cost of the damage could be at least
$100 billion dollars and $35 billion dollars to insurance companies. Other estimates
stated that the loss of productivity in the area costs $100 million dollars
a day.
Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama account for about three percent
of the United States’ gross domestic product.
More than one million people have been displaced as the result
of the hurricane.
Congress has released $10 billion dollars in emergency economic
aid and at least $350 million dollars has been donated to the Red Cross through
public donations.
Twista called on Atlantic Records staff, the artists and the
local Hip-Hop community to support the event.
"Remember
God gives us each special talents to use in his time of need. Let’s handle this,"
Twista said.
