Heems Explains Why He's Performing in Paris Tonight

With fear still in the air after the attacks, Heems explains why he will still perform in Paris tonight.

Image via Heems / Vice

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Image via Heems / Vice

Image via Heems / Vice

The reality of the horrific attacks in Paris is still weighing heavy on the hearts of many. As people try to overcome the expected sense of fear and figure out what the next step is, different musicians are using their platform to express their own thoughts, as well as words of comfort.

Himanshu Suri, better known as Heems, wrote a personal essay for Vice explaining why he’s choosing to follow through with his show in Paris tonight. Heems explained that in 2001, he was attending a high school so close to the Twin Towers that he could see it all happening out of the classroom window. “Immediately, I felt like a victim of the events and of its racial repercussions,” he said. “I saw how it affected Muslims, and have seen how it has affected my Muslim friends.”

He was reminded of this traumatic moment as he watched the tragedy unfold on a television at a bar in JFK airport. With fear still in the air, Heems explains why he’s choosing to still perform in Paris tonight:

So tonight I rap in Paris because I believe in hopefulness and the light of peace. If I could do anything with my art, it would only be to say, “We’re just like you.” As for Paris, I know cities live and breathe and survive and move on, just like people. New York did it. Bombay did it. Paris is doing it. And if I can help the healing process in any tiny way with my songs, words, sounds, then I’m a lucky man.

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