Jameson Connects Presents Kojaque – Join In, Wherever You Are

Jameson Connects' global St. Patrick's Day celebration aims to bring together the best and brightest talent in hip-hop and R&B from Ireland and around the world – including Kojaque, one of Irish hip-hop's pivotal acts.

Kojaque will appear alongside Canadian artists Jessie Reyez, Junia-T and Savannah Ré, as well as his fellow Irish trailblazers Denise Chaila and Unorthodox Coolock. The unique celebration airs on March 17th – so the message from Jameson is: join in, wherever you are!

"Traditionally speaking, there wasn't much tradition to 2020," Cabra-born Kojaque says. "We're making up for lost time with good times, and putting Paddy's Day back on the map while we're at it. So let's get set, to share a glass, a tune, some Irish spirit. To share connection once again."

The Dublin-born MC has been using his visceral artistry to connect Irish youth since his impressive debut in 2015. Kojaque went to art school to study film and performance, and has been forging a distinctive path in Irish hip-hop ever since. The video for his debut single 'Midnight Flower' saw the rapper hold his breath underwater for an astonishing three minutes, and set Kojaque's career in motion, catching the attention of influential members of the Irish and international hip-hop communities.

A self-professed introvert who largely produces his own work, Kojaque has said that in the early days, he began producing because he was too shy to tell anyone he wanted to rap. That decision has allowed him to call the main shots with regard to his own music since the beginning of his career, creating a unique sound and vision. His Choice Prize-nominated, 2018 concept mixtape Deli Daydreams heralded the arrival of a fresh and unflinching new voice in Dublin hip-hop – full of gritty realism, political commentary and a healthy amount of satire. It covered everything from repealing the 8th Amendment to Dublin's homelessness crisis and the threat of gentrification, through the eyes of a young deli worker waiting for the annual Deli Christmas party. Although Kojaque never set out to be political, he became something of a spokesperson for the young Irish experience.

But it's clear that one of Kojaque's strengths is his ability to – like so many Irish literary greats before him – turn the darker elements of his work upside down with humour. In a classic interview with Hot Press, Kojaque said of Deli Daydreams: "I liked the humorous aspect of it – the fact that it isn’t very glamorous. It’s a bit grim and it’s a bit grimy."

Kojaque is also the co-founder of Soft Boy Records, one of the most impressive independent labels in the country. Determined to showcase Ireland's most exciting talent, the label is run by Kojaque and its co-founder Kean Kavanagh, with a roster of intriguing young artists like Luka Palm, and producers Gaptoof and Bríen – among others.

Between 2018 and the present, the rapper has released the Sunday Roast mixtape and a joint project with Luka Palm, another Dublin up-and-comer, called Green Diesel. But it's Kojaque's hotly-tipped debut album 'proper' that folks from Ireland and beyond are currently talking about. Due for release later this year, the record promises to be an even more honest and gripping portrait of the enigmatic young Dubliner, who has his finger ever on the pulse of Irish culture. The first single from the project, 'SHMELLY', offers a frank perspective on the MC's own rapid rise from north Dublin City, while his most recent offering, 'No Hands', sees him delve into an exploration of grief from personal experience.

A celebration of Irishness and community is a key goal of Jameson Connects' St. Patrick's Day event – giving Kojaque the opportunity to fly the flag for his country.

"St. Patrick’s Day is a celebration of Irishness," he recently told Complex. "They’ve left such a big footprint on the world; it’s a crazy thing to have such a global celebration of Irishness. There’s not really another country that has a day celebrated globally."

We may not all be able to celebrate and connect in person, but Jameson Connects is bringing the local live, straight to your sitting room screens this St. Patrick's Day – on the most untraditional traditional day there is.

Jameson is about connection. Connecting you to your favourite artists. Local scenes to global communities. And everything in between. Join in wherever you are this St. Patrick's Day at Jameson Connects.

Register to Join In for this Global Live Stream of Jameson Connects Jessie Reyez and Friends on March 17 2021 at 8 PM GMT at Jameson Connects.

Please enjoy Jameson responsibly. Visit drinkaware.ie