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.
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.
The (Woe)Man Issue
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!
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.
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