Namibian rapper and long-time Jameson Irish whiskey collaborator KP Illest is stepping into the global spotlight as he joins the second edition of ‘Jameson’s Distilled Sounds’.
The global collaborative initiative is aimed at connecting artists across cultures and genres.
Following a successful debut in 2024, Distilled Sounds is back with even more, selecting 12 talented artists from around the world and accommodating them in Ireland for a week of creative immersion.
Guided by the multi-Grammy-winning producer Anderson Paak, who returns as Jameson’s ‘music distiller’, these artists will craft genre-defying tracks that showcase their talent for a worldwide audience.
The intended outcome is to create original music that will be distributed globally under the Jameson Distilled Sound initiative.
This year, KP Illest proudly represents Namibia, alongside picks from South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Ireland, Portugal, India, Kazakhstan, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Together they make neo-gospel, house music, 90s R&B, pop, funk, contemporary folk, hip-hop and Afrobeats.
KP Illest is a celebrated Namibian hip-hop artist, producer, and music entrepreneur, based in Windhoek and known for hits like ‘Okay Okay’ and his affiliation with Mshasho, as well as international acts.
The format of Distilled Sounds is as daring as it is creative. Once in Ireland, artists are paired based on complementary musical styles, tasked with writing, producing, and recording a collaborative track.
KP says the music has already begun taking shape, but the final touches, along with the performance and video shoot, will be completed during the trip.
“I’m going to take some of my equipment, do the finishing touches, wrap up the song, perform it, and shoot a music video, etc. But you know me, when I get there, I’m doing a whole bunch of other things. I’ll probably come back with like 10 collabs,” he says.
More than just a project, KP Illest sees this as a chance to evolve and expand his musical legacy, especially as he continues on the journey to retiring from music this year and releasing a film about his life and career.
“It’s also nice to add to the documentary and to the chapter of the things I’ve done,” he says, expressing hope that this trip would open up a new fan base for him or expand his existing one.
KP Illest is one of Namibia’s most widely known hip-hop acts and has been making music for around 15 years.
Earlier this year, he said he would be taking a step back soon.
Jameson in a statement describes the essence of what KP Illest and the other artists will experience as an opportunity for like-minded artists to come together, connect and learn from one another.
“Each artist brings their own unique sound, culture, and ideas. This is a space which allows these artists to inspire and to be inspired,” the statement says.
– Anne Hambuda is a poet, writer, and social commentator. Follow her online or email her at annehambuda@gmail.com for more.
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