When Helan Abdulla’s family left for Finland, it wasn’t because they were seeking stardom. They were escaping the violence of Saddam Hussein’s regime. But this move would lead Abdulla (a.k.a. Helly Luv) to take an unexpected path to fame — one that has inspired people all over the world.

Luv was born in Urmia, Iran, during the Persian Gulf War. When her family moved to Finland, Luv showed a talent for dance that would jumpstart her career. After attending one of the best dance schools in Finland and competing in Europe, she saved up her money to move to Los Angeles. There she met great adversity, and few would give her music a chance. Right before she was about to leave LA, Los Da Mystro decided to offer her a telephone audition. A deal with Gawain “G2” Bracy II and G2 Music Group came in 2013. That same year, she released her hit single “Risk it All.”

Luv has been featured in some of the world’s top newspapers and some of the world’s top news channels due to the brave nature of her work. With the release of “Revolution,” even ISIS began to take note.

Although Luv has received death threats because of her music, she says that she will continue onward: “I feel that as an artist, my weapon is not the real weapon. My weapon is my music.”

She is making history as a Kurdish artist by promoting an anti-ISIS agenda as well as advocating for peace, love, and freedom. Though she faces real danger, she does not back down because she “…wanted to tell the truth…” about the conflict with ISIS and the people involved. Luv’s work may be controversial, but it is inspiring others to be as brave as she is, which is arguably the best weapon against any terrorist group.