Kurdish Pop Sensation Helly Luv Fights ISIS Through Her Music

Meet Helly Luv, the pop star worth knowing!
Medha Chakrabartty
Social Buzz
Updated:
Helly filmed her single “Revolution” in an abandoned village where the Kurdish forces were battling the ISIS. (Photo Courtesy : Facebook/Helly Luv)
Helly filmed her single “Revolution” in an abandoned village where the Kurdish forces were battling the ISIS. (Photo Courtesy : Facebook/<a href="http://https://www.facebook.com/HellyLuv/photos/a.467003833320591.104166.280477851973191/945777702109866/?type=3&amp;theater">Helly Luv</a>)
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Helen Abdulla, better known as Helly Luv, is a Kurdish pop sensation you should definitely watch out for! Her music is her mode of resistance as she battles Islamist terror groups through her music. Death threats from Islamist groups and constant security surveillance are part of her regular day.

Her music video Revolution’s ‘evol’ can be read backwards as love. Red hair, towering heels, guns, soldiers, bombs – the video goes all nine yards.

Here are a few things about her that might leave you feeling the same way we do!

Walking the Talk

Helly shot the video for Revolution just a few kilometres away from ISIS strongholds. The video shows the fiery, red-haired Helly marching down a war zone, her eyes lit with an invincible fire.

A stormy and resolute Helly Luv.( Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Helly Luv)

Riding Out the Storm Without Laying Low!

She was born in Northern Iraq in the war-stricken 1980s. When the going got too tough her mother had to smuggle her out of the country to Turkey. Her father was a part of the Peshmarga, the forces fighting ISIS today.

Helly visiting the female Peshmargas. (Photo Courtesy : Facebook/Helly Luv)
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The (Woe)Man Issue

She battles the woe-man card daily with much perseverance and grit. (Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Helly Luv)

Most of her detractors play the (woe)man card against her, asking her to behave as befits a woman. Thankfully, she finds her own inspiration from the younger generation of Kurds who appreciate and understand her message, her dream of independence for Kurdistan and emancipation from terrorism.

The Glass Being Half-Full

This is one woman with grit! She’s mentioned in her interviews how most people understand her and only some want to stone her to death. She’s lived in refugee camps, faced racism, braved death threats and been one brave soul amidst all the madness!

Revolutionising her times, risking it all. ( Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Helly Luv)

The Times They Are A-Changin?

Her dissent has the ISIS mighty pissed. She’s a force to be reckoned with - strong enough to antagonise the ISIS.

(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)

Published: 23 May 2016,02:27 PM IST

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