KP Illest to fly the Namibian flag in Ireland

In a landmark moment for Namibia’s music scene, award-winning rapper KP Illest is headed to Ireland to perform at the prestigious Jameson Distilled Sounds series, a global music initiative that brings together artists from around the world for a week-long creative retreat and performance.His performance is slated for Tuesday, 12 August, and will feature the live debut of a new cross-cultural track produced in collaboration with Indian vocalist Mary Ann Alexander. The track has been shaped under the artistic direction of Grammy-winning musician Anderson .Paak, whose genre-defying vision has influenced the project’s sonic identity.For KP Illest, this invitation represents more than just an international stage, it’s a defining moment in his career and a rare opportunity for a Namibian artist to be showcased on such a global platform. “This is first and foremost an opportunity for growth,” he said. “It’s about reaching new audiences, collaborating across borders and showing the world what Namibia has to offer.”Cross-border creative exchanges The Jameson Distilled Sounds project is not only performance-based but also immersive. Participating artists spend several days in Ireland engaging in workshops, jam sessions and co-writing exercises, culminating in a live showcase of the work created during the retreat. It’s a high-pressure, high-reward experience where chemistry between collaborators is key.For KP Illest and Mary Ann Alexander, that chemistry is still taking shape. The track they’re set to debut is built on a beat by Namibian producer Chris Wayne and has evolved through remote exchanges before coming together in person in Ireland. “The process has leaned more into her sonic world,” KP Illest admitted, “but I pride myself on being adaptable. I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone to meet her halfway, and that’s the essence of true collaboration.”Working under the mentorship of Anderson .Paak, an artist known for blending funk, soul, hip-hop and R&B, has brought its own set of lessons. Rather than reinventing himself for the project, KP Illest has chosen to remain grounded in the sound and spirit that built his name. “It’s easy to think you need to be different when you’re on a big stage like this,” he reflected. “But really, you just have to do what got you here in the first place: be open, learn, adapt, but stay true.”As Namibia’s ambassador at the event, KP Illest is intentional about representing not just himself, but his country. “I’m me and that’s Namibian culture. What I wear, how I carry myself, that’s how Namibia shines through,” he said, adding that the universality of hip-hop makes it the perfect medium for cultural exchange.Above all, KP Illest hopes that the audience, whether in Ireland or watching from back home in Namibia, connects with the raw emotion behind the music. “Whether they love it or not, I want people to feel something,” he said. “I want them to know that two artists from opposite ends of the world collided in the name of art. And that alone is something beautiful.”

KP Illest to fly the Namibian flag in Ireland

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-08

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KP Illest to fly the Namibian flag in Ireland

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-08

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