Master P (Master P Facebook)
Master P announced plans to host iHeart Benefit Fest during NBA All-Star Week next year to help Louisiana flood victims.
A native of New Orleans, the rapper first revealed the news about the benefit concert on Instagram Oct. 19.
“NBA All-Star Week is not just about basketball for me,” he began his post. “I’m teaming up with some of the biggest stars in the world for my hometown.”
The concert, which will be Feb. 18, 2017, will serve as a fundraiser for the hundreds of thousands of victims left with damaged homes. Officials confirmed to ABC News that 13 people died in the Aug. 18 hurricane floods.
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“Together we will entertain and give fans a great show,” Master P wrote on Instagram. “But the real mission is to help get families back into their homes. Theres [sic] still a lot of pollution in the air, water damages and mildew in Baton Rouge. Performers and sponsors [are] coming together to make a difference.”
In a statement to Vibe magazine, the MC said he wanted “all the athletes to come out,” and noted celebrities like Usher and Lil’ Wayne will attend.
“I feel like for All-Star Weekend, even though this will be a fun event, it will be a way for everyone to do their part, so this concert will be great for our people and Baton Rouge.”
The rapper’s involvement in a basketball-related event isn’t far-fetched. According to Complex, Master P had a brief NBA career between releasing albums.
He attended the University of Houston on an athletic scholarship and played basketball until he suffered a knee injury. Then, he went to training camp with the Charlotte Hornets ahead of the 1998-1999 season. When he did not make the team, Master P – also known as P. Miller – trained with the Toronto Raptors the following year. Although he earned 8 points during a preseason game against the Vancouver Grizzlies, P never won success playing ball.
