Tech N9ne’s recent USO tour made headlines as the independent rapper spent eight days visiting US troops in Bahrain and Kuwait. The MCs tour came at a significant time as remaining US troops withdrew from Iraq. CNN covered the event.

During the USO tour, Tech N9ne took the opportunity to perform “The Noose” live for the first time. Footage of the performance made its way to HipHopDX, and now, CNN.com has published a short feature on Tech N9ne’s experience in the Middle East. Speaking to the news outlet, Tech shared some insight on what it was like to spend time with the troops:

“What affected me the most about my visit to the Middle East was how amazingly pleasant and humble those who are serving our country were, even while under some of the [roughest] and most secluded living conditions imaginable.

The mostly young men and women all had stories similar to my own. When I talk about being away from my family and missing my kids in my music, they told me they listen to those songs to get them through being away. They showed my crew and I the most love imaginable for coming and giving them a piece of the USA, and that’s exactly what we did.”

With US troops exiting Iraq, Tech N9ne gave those in Kuwait a slice of home before 2011 came to a close.

Click here to read the full feature.

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