Swizz Beatz hosting postponed music gala for Sandy victims

Swizz Beatz is hosting a special benefit concert at the Hard Rock Cafe New York in January (13) to raise funds for music students affected by superstorm Sandy.

The rapper had lined up a variety of celebrity friends to support the finale of the VH1 Save The Music Foundation's 2012 Songwriters Music Series, but it was postponed when the natural disaster struck the East Coast in October (12).

The gala was originally being held to raise funds for the Foundation, which encourages students' creativity through production and musical composition but will now also benefit victims of the superstorm.

The event will also help the Tri-State Save the Music Relief Fund, which provides cash to local schools so students can replace instruments damaged in the storm.

Swizz Beatz says, "New York City and the Tri-State area is my home and it's a place that constantly inspires music and creativity for myself and millions of others.

"I'm going to bring out some friends and put on a crazy show to support the VH1 Save the Music Foundation and the creation of the Tri-State Sandy Music Relief Fund so this creativity can thrive again for kids all over the East Coast."