Chicago, IL., - SEPTEMBER 14, 2005 - Multi-Platinum, Grammy-nominated
artist, Twista will perform a benefit concert for the victims of Hurricane
Katrina at the renowned House of Blues in Chicago on September 19, 2005.
Twista has joined forces with United Way, Budweiser and WGCI radio in
Chicago to develop the concert with the hopes of receiving financial
contributions and/or retail gift cards for the thousands of people who are
now homeless due to the destruction of Hurricane Katrina. United Way will be on hand to collect gift cards and financial contributions to theUnited Way Hurricane Fund, which will provide long-term services like job assistance and counseling to the thousands of Hurricane Katrina evacuees that have relocated to Chicagoland.

Twista is personally making a plea to Atlantic Records staff and artists to donate their time and talent to aid the event. Twista also challenges the entire city of Chicago to take a proactive helping hand in aiding the victims in New Orleans who are being forced to uproot their lives because of the disaster. Atlantic Records recording artists Bump J will also perform at the benefit concert.

"Hurricane Katrina has caused a lot of emotional damage to our country due to the fact that thousands of people are now homeless and countless people have lost their lives and family members," said Twista. "As a public figure, I feel it is my personal responsibility to use my influence to help our people overcome this tragic situation. I just hope more corporations and people of power followmy lead."

"We are proud that an artist of Twista's caliber has stepped up to the plate to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina," said Janet Froetscher, President and CEO of United of Metropolitan Chicago. "As the disaster responders finish their work, United Way is leading a coordinated effort to linkindividuals and families to the longer-term case-management and support services they need to re-build their lives-services like housing, job assistance, counseling, access to healthcare, affordable daycare and more.The United Way Hurricane Fund will help our hundreds of partner agencies provide those services to Hurricane survivors now living in Chicagoland.
100% of the dollars raised will go directly to services for the evacuees."