“Midwest in the house” might not be the most effective rally cry, but it did the job Friday night when 2,000 fans showed up to see Twista and Ciara perform at the Convocation Center for NIU’s third annual Homecoming Jam.

Chicago-born rapper Twista, recognized in the 1992 Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s fastest rapper, took the stage just before 11 p.m. in sunglasses and a black-and-red track jacket and quickly made his presence known with his trademark rapid-fire delivery.

The best reactions came from the Kanye West-produced “Slow Jamz” and Trick Daddy’s “Crazy Train.”

Twista also took time out of his set to remember victims of Hurricane Katrina.

“Hip hop is still young,” Twista said from the stage. “But we already have some fallen soldiers. But they was alive when they was alive, so let’s celebrate their life instead of mourning their death.”

Also performing Friday night was R&B singer Ciara, whose smooth voice and seductive dancing quickly won over the audience, but she was sensible enough to tone down the dancing with respect to the young children and their parents in the audience. The same could not be said for her backup dancers, who indulged in some almost violent booty-shaking from time to time.

Freshman marketing major Marco Sullo came, flowers in hand, to see Ciara, along with his friend, freshman finance major Adam Terrell.

“I like the music, and I’m excited to see her too,” Terrell said.

NIU alumna Allison Johnson brought her daughter Shelby to the concert. Shelby said her favorite Ciara song is “1,2 Step,” but said she was looking forward to the whole concert.

The crowd grew quiet when Ciara took to a stool for the tender R&B ballad “And I” but erupted in excitement when she performed a note-perfect rendition of her hit single, “1,2 Step.”

Chicago resident Frank Smith, who came for both Ciara and Twista, was happy with the concert.

“There’s some awesome Chicago talent,” Smith said. “People like Twista have been doing their thing for years. This was a nice little trip for me [from the North side of Chicago].”

Opening the performance were a number of Chicago acts, including rap group One Shadow and tuxedo-clad hip hop dancers Extreme Dance Force.

Debbie and Paul Green brought their nine-year-old daughter Kenzie to see her sister Courtney perform with Extreme Dance Force.

“Ciara was great,” Debbie Green said. “But we didn’t stay for Twista. We didn’t think that was appropriate for a nine-year old.”

The performance was hosted by 103.5 FM’s Beyonce Foxx and XXL Magazine’s “Eye Candy of the Year” Buffie the Body.