Kuala Lumpur, 25 July 2025 – 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—including Malaysia’s Saint Kylo—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 Malaysia, 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.
Malaysia’s representative this year, Saint Kylo, is no stranger to commanding a stage. Formerly of live act Ryot Jones, Kylo has carved out a solo sound that fuses soul, funk, and R&B—landing him centre-stage at festivals like Good Vibes and RIUH in the City. He’s also worked with creative communities across the region, including the Jameson Distilled Sounds takeover at Zhongshan Building in Kuala Lumpur. As a current independent artist with four singles to his name and an upcoming EP titled ‘Paid For’, he brings both seasoned chops and fresh energy to the Sound Distillery this year.
Saint Kylo reflects on what the experience means to him: “When I found out I’d been picked to represent Malaysia at Jameson Distilled Sounds, it honestly felt surreal. I’ve been grinding for years as an indie artist, so to feel seen—on a global stage, mentored by someone like Anderson .Paak, who’s been a huge influence on my sound—it’s wild. I’m just a kid from Taman Melawati, and now I’m sharing space with artists from all over the world, writing music, learning from the best, and putting Malaysia on the map. That kind of belief? It means everything.”
As Jameson Distilled Sounds Malaysia’s ambassador, Saint Kylo will return to give back to the local music community—sharing inspiration, lessons and creative insights from his time at the Sound Distillery under the mentorship of Anderson .Paak, as part of this year’s Jameson programming locally.
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.”
LOCAL IS THE NEW GLOBAL
Jameson Distilled Sounds taps into one of today’s most exciting musical shifts: the global appetite for boundary-breaking collaboration across genres, cultures, and backgrounds. This year’s lineup reflects a music scene where diversity isn’t just represented, it’s driving the evolution 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.”
“From CLAUDIA’s mentorship last year to Saint Kylo’s selection this year, we’re proud that Jameson Malaysia continues to play a real role in the Distilled Sounds movement. We are committed to ensuring Malaysian voices are truly amplified on the global stage,” says Liew Pooi Wan, Marketing Director at Pernod Ricard Malaysia.
MEET THE ARTISTS
Saint Kylo joins an eclectic global lineup of trailblazing artists redefining the 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 Manasseh and Kethan. Other artists include Nigerian American R&B force Manny Wellz, Namibia’s own Kp Illest, and Kazakh synth-pop pioneer Moldanazar. 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.
Watch the launch film featuring Anderson .Paak (link)
Discover the artists and music on the Jameson Social Channels (link)
