TWISTA ISSUES STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO ALLEGATIONS

Twista responded to claims made by Shabazz, the founder of the Chi Roc Hip Hop Nation, that he stole the organization’s name for his new record label, Chi Roc Entertainment. In a statement issued Tuesday, November 1st, the rapper said, “I am very disappointed that Shabazz, someone from the very organization I was close with, would attack me for this. I have had prior affiliation with the group and remain good friends with members from Chi-Roc Hip-Hop Nation. Some of the members even thought of it [my company named Chi-Rock] as an honor and a tribute to the original Chi-Roc Hip-Hop Nation members and the hip-hop movement in Chicago.”

Twista added, “Through my success as a multiplatinum rap artist, my intention was to honor and bring attention to Chicago’s hip hop culture and the organization that helped spark the hip-hop movement in the Chicago area. My goal was to pay tribute to the story of Chi-Roc, so I am outraged that the very people who were once on my side are now trying to bring a fellow Chicago rapper down.”

Shabazz plans to take legal action. He says he started the organization in 1985 and that he is the registered owner of the corporation ‘Chi-Rock’ or ‘Chi-Roc’ in the state of Illinois.