Many performers have headed to Iraq over the years to perform for American troops stationed in the region, but Nelly's concert in the region was perhaps even more impressive for its boldness. The "Hot in Herre" emcee stopped in Erbil on Friday, becoming the first American musician to perform in the area known as Kurdistan, according to the Rwanga Foundation.
The purpose of the concert was to raise funds for Kurdish Iraqis and Syrians who have been battling ISIS—the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria—as well as taking a beating from the government forces of President Bashar al-Assad across the Syrian border.
Those exact events are what make Nelly's involvement all the more impressive: Although performers for American troops were far from 100 percent safe, Kurdistan is much less stable, as ISIS and its affiliates have gone as far as to destroy the tomb of former president Saddam Hussein in recent days. Nelly wasn't heading into a war zone per se, but safety was less than guaranteed.
Taban Shoresh, the director of media for the Rwanga Foundation, thanked Nelly in a statement.
"We are delighted and proud that the city of Erbil hosted this landmark charity concert and would like to thank Nelly for his involvement," he said. "The event was here to celebrate the people of this city, promote peace, and a chance to raise money for the millions of people who have been affected by the ongoing conflict."
Rwanga, unfortunately, faces more challenges than just ISIS as the region of Kurdistan has been under fire for far longer than the last few years. Hussein's reign did little to bring prosperity to the region and the American invasion didn't necessarily do much to help. The foundation works to aid those most at risk, including helping women and children (especially the orphaned "street children") of the area gain educations lead healthy lifestyles.
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