Jameson Irish Whiskey today announces the return of Jameson Distilled Sounds, the brand’s flagship global music platform with cultural icon and ‘Music Distiller’ Anderson .Paak who joins Jameson for another year, leading a new cohort of over 20 artists from around the world as they continue to grow their music family.
After a successful debut in the home of Jameson, Cork, Distilled Sounds Year 2 is returning to Ireland, the home of Jameson, for an immersive creative experience rooted in connecting cultures, collaboration and crafting sounds. Artists from across India, South Africa, Portugal, Nigeria and Indonesia, to name a few, will come together to write, record and perform new music under .Paak’s expert direction.
This year, Jameson Distilled Sounds levels up with APESHIT INC., Anderson .Paak’s creative house, playing a central role in shaping the programme, curating talent and pairing each artist together to allow for the boldest and most exciting combinations. His involvement signals a deeper commitment to unearthing the next generation of global sounds.
Commenting on Jameson Distilled Sounds Year 2, Anderson .Paak says:“
I’m stoked to be back for Jameson Distilled Sounds Year 2! This really is an opportunity for like-minded artists to come together, connect and learn from one another” says Anderson .Paak. “You’ve got drill next to Amapiano, K-pop crossing over with soul, everyone bringing their own flavour, and we just build and collaborate. It’s not about hits, it’s about heart. That’s the magic.”
Krystal Miles, GM of APESHIT INC., adds:
“With APESHIT Family, we’re building more than a moment – we’re building a movement. This isn’t just about what happens during the programme; it’s about where it leads. We’re focused on expanding our roster beyond North America and tapping into artists who are shaping the sound of now from every corner of the world. Jameson Distilled Sounds is the perfect partner to facilitate this connection with a global community as we continue to discover new sounds.”
The programme launches with a new short film set inside World Records a fictional record shop where .Paak stars as the store’s effortlessly cool and charming owner. In classic .Paak style, he guides a curious customer through the stacks, pulling out records and spinning previews of this year’s freshest new artists. It’s a playful moment that doubles as the first reveal of the 2025 Jameson Distilled Sounds artists.
LOCAL IS THE NEW GLOBAL
Jameson Distilled Sounds taps into one of today’s most important musical shifts: the rise of non-English language hits on global charts, and the growing appetite for unexpected, cross-genre collaboration.
Whether it’s Alté meets Afrobeats, or Punjabi drill meets Parisian trap, the artists at this year’s programme represents the cultural diversity shaping the future of sound.
Each artist will spend a week immersed in the creative process, collaborating, writing, producing and performing original music inspired by their roots and the global peers around them. The results will drop throughout the summer across the Jameson YouTube Channel, including digital performances and artist-led masterclasses.
“Jameson Distilled Sounds is where culture and collaboration meet,” says Lynda Cody, Jameson Head of Experiences, Partnerships & Advocacy. “We’re celebrating global creativity and helping artists connect beyond borders. This aligns with our global positioning that if people share the same spirit and values – smooth, welcoming and light-hearted – then no matter where they are from, they Must Be A Jameson.”
MEET THE ARTISTS
This year’s line-up brings together an eclectic mix of trailblazing artists redefining the global music landscape. From South African soul singer Lloyiso to Portuguese experimentalist EU.CLIDES, the 2025 cohort includes a drill innovator from Ireland (Skinner), genre-fusing vocalists like Mary Ann Alexander from India and Monica Karina from Indonesia, as well as East African talent including Kenya’s Xenia Manassehand Kethan. Other artists include Nigerian American R&B force Manny Wellz, Namibia’s own Kp Illest, Kazakh synth-pop pioneer Moldanazar, and Malaysian alt-pop artist Saint Kylo. Together, they form a collective that blurs borders and blends sounds, each bringing the essence of their local scene into something entirely new.
With new tracks, digital performances and behind-the-scenes moments dropping all summer, stay locked in and listen out because the next big moment in music starts here with Jameson Distilled Sounds.
Discover the artists and music on the Jameson Social Channels: https://www.instagram.com/jamesonwhiskey/?hl=en
Follow along: JamesonWhiskey | #JamesonDistilledSounds
