NEW YORK (Atlantic Records) - Atlantic recording artist Juvenile, whose New Orleans home was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, is helping spearhead the movement by the music community to organize relief efforts for his native city.
"Our city of New Orleans and several other surrounding cities are experiencing total devastation," said Juvenile. "People have lost their loved ones, their homes, their belongings, and their jobs. Many of our folks in New Orleans didn't have much to begin with and now they have now lost everything. Everyone has to pull together to help all those who have suffered these great losses.
"We as Americans were so responsive to the world in the face of the tsunami, and we have sent our troops and our money to Iraq and Afghanistan," Juvenile continued. "So I am sure that we, as individuals and as a country, can apply to Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida the massive level of effort and giving which is surely demanded now. Please keep our city, its people, and our families in your prayers and donate whatever you can to the Red Cross."
Teruis Gray, aka Juvenile, was not in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hit. His home was located near the water on Lake Pontchartrain, in St. Tammany Parish in the city of Slidell. New Orleans' neighbor to the east, Slidell was crossed by the eye of the hurricane, and Juvenile lost his house and all of his possessions. The multi-platinum rapper grew up in the Magnolia Projects in the center of New Orleans, and he has always been a New Orleans resident. His parents also live in New Orleans, and he has over 200 relatives in the area. The locations of many of his family members are still unknown, and only about half of them were able to get out before the hurricane arrived. Many of his friends also have still to locate family members.
Monetary donations to the American Red Cross may be made by calling 1-800-HELP-NOW or online at www.redcross.org. The Red Cross cannot accept individual donations of food, clothing, or other goods.
Warner Music Group, the parent company of Atlantic Records, will be making a corporate donation to the American Red Cross. In addition, WMG is partnering with Network for Good, the Internet's leading charitable resource, to create a WMG-dedicated website to accept donations to relief organizations. Employee contributions through Network for Good's WMG website will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, up to a total $100,000.
The foremost artist on the New Orleans hip-hop scene, Juvenile began his performing career while still a teenager. He first came to national prominence with The Hot Boys' 1997 debut, "GET IT HOW U LIVE," followed by 1999's RIAA platinum certified "GUERILLA WARFARE." Having made his solo debut in 1995, Juvenile broke through to superstar status with his third solo album, "400 DEGREEZ," which set new standards for southern hip-hop. Released in 1998, it went on to be certified RIAA quadruple platinum and garnered Juvenile a string of accolades, including a Soul Train Award (2000), Billboard Award (1999), Source Award (1999), and an American Music Award nomination (1999). He has since released a string of platinum-plus albums, including "THA G-CODE" (1999) "PROJECT ENGLISH" (2001), and "JUVE THE GREAT" (2003). The latter featured the No 1 smash single, "Slow Motion."
Juvenile's first album for Atlantic Records, "REALITY CHECK," is slated for release later this year.
