Share

Educational VideoEducational Video

How Rap and a Broken Microphone Help This Iraq Vet Survive | American Veteran: Keep It Close

6th Grade – 8th Grade

9th Grade – 12th Grade

English

During his deployment in Iraq, Army Veteran Jeff “Soldier Hard” Barillaro recorded rap music as a form of stress relief. Once a civilian, his music helped keep him grounded and gave him an outlet for the difficult emotions raised by his time in combat. Today, he keeps his old microphone from Iraq as a reminder of that time, and he works with other veterans to heal through music.