US RAPPER TAKES THE ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE IN NORTH KOREA
Grammy award-winning rapper Pras Michel has come up with
a novel approach to the viral charity campaign, the ALS (amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis) Ice Bucket Challenge, by taking it while in North
Korea.Michel, documentary maker and former member of The Fugees, had two buckets of ice water dumped on his head along Pyongyang's Taedong River, much to the surprise and bewilderment of North Koreans out for a stroll.
He nominated the UK's Prince Harry to take up the charity challenge, along with Hollywood actor Edward Norton, former bandmate Lauryn Hill and celebrity magician David Blaine.
Michel, who is in North Korea to watch a pro wrestling exhibition and "explore," said he is currently working on several projects, including a documentary about Haiti's presidential election that is due out by the end of the year.
More than 3 million people around the world have joined in the challenge, which has raised more than 100 million US dollars for the ALS Association.
ALS, better known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive illness that hits the nerves and the brain and can lead to paralysis and death.
There is no cure, though a treatment now available can extend the life expectancy for its sufferers.
