Akon holds anti-ISIS concert for Peshmerga

American hip-hop artist Akon is set to perform a charity concert in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish region this March to benefit Peshmerga forces embroiled in a fight against ISIS militants.

The multiplatinum singer, best known for hits like “Smack That” and “I Wanna Love You,” released a video message on Thursday expressing how “excited” he is to about performing live in the ancient city of Erbil.

“I am so excited to be there to visit that 8,000 year old city to perform live at the Hariri Stadium,” said Akon in the video.

The concert is aimed at raising funds for the families of Kurdish Peshmerga fighters currently entangled in a war against militants of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, Kurdish media outlets reported.

The tickets will be free, yet any earnings from the concert will go to the family members of Peshermga fighters, media reports have said.

Akon is reportedly pairing with an Erbil-based foundation that provides humanitarian aid in Kurdistan and that also helped organize the concert.

Noor Matti, operations manager for Kurdish radio station Babylon FM, told BasNews that Akon’s concert in Erbil is a “big deal.”

“We are thankful for the Rwanga Foundation for working tirelessly to make this happen,” Matti said. “It’s a big deal because it will be the first time a famous American musician has performed in Erbil.”