T.I. Lends A Helping Hand to Hurricane Victims

NEW YORK (Atlantic Records) - Grand Hustle/Atlantic recording artist T.I. spent Labor Day getting personally involved in relief efforts to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina. The platinum-certified rap superstar took to the airwaves on Atlanta's V-103 FM for more than seven hours, petitioning listeners to lend their support to those whose lives have been disrupted by the disaster in the Gulf Coast. Kicking off the pledge drive with a personal donation of $50,000, T.I. helped raise over $263,000, with proceeds going to Mississippi-based producer/rapper David Banner's Heal the Hood Foundation.

In addition, T.I. is teaming up with a number of his fellow hip-hop superstars, including David Banner and Young Jeezy, for a massive food and clothing drive. The event - to be held at Atlanta's Club Vision (located at 1068 Peachtree Street NE) - is scheduled for Tuesday, September 6th and Wednesday, September 7th, from 9AM to 9PM. Those interested in donating to "The Drive" are asked to bring such items as clothing, non-perishable food and drinks, children's toys and games, and battery-included radios and flashlights.

Having exploded into the hip-hop mainstream with 2003's RIAA gold certified "TRAP MUZIK," the Atlanta-based T.I. is unquestionably one of rap's hottest artists. The self-proclaimed "King of the South" followed up his Grand Hustle/Atlantic premiere in late 2004 with "URBAN LEGEND." The acclaimed album - which includes the smash singles "Bring Em Out" and "U Don't Know Me" - made a top 10 debut on the Billboard 200 on its way to RIAA platinum certification for U.S. sales exceeding 1,000,000.