“Hot In Herre” rapper Nelly took the stage in Erbil, Iraq on Mar. 13 and became the first American artist to perform in Kurdistan, Iraq, according to Rwanga, the organization which hosted the event.
Time reports the concert reportedly raised support for the embattled Kurds in the northern Iraq and Syria area who have been fighting ISIS. A mission statement on the organization’s Facebook notes Rwanga works “to assist the most vulnerable of the populace in Kurdistan, Iraq and in the greater global community.”
According to the Rwanga website, Nelly performed tracks including “Dilemma”, “Hey Porsche” and “Just a Dream.”
Rwanga Foundation welcomes Nelly to Kurdistan #raperin2015 #TwitterKurds pic.twitter.com/ky3C3fLgPi
— Rwanga Foundation (@RwangaFdn) March 13, 2015
“We are delighted and proud that the city of Erbil hosted this landmark charity concert and would like to thank Nelly for his involvement,” Taban Shoresh, Rwanga Foundation’s Director of PR and Media, said in a statement on the organization’s website. “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.”