KhakiKid x Chameleon: ‘Easy Does It’ signals a bold new chapter for Irish alternative music

Irish alternative artist KhakiKid returns with his new single Easy Does It (ft. Chameleon), released on 3 July, a high-energy collaboration that captures the playful rebellion and creative spontaneity at the heart of his work. Already a fan favourite after being road-tested at recent live shows in London and Dublin, the track arrives as one of KhakiKid’s most anticipated releases so far, pairing infectious production with sharp lyricism and a strong melodic pull that reflects the chemistry between both artists. Produced by Chameleon, who also contributes guest vocals, the single grew out of a process that was as instinctive as the song itself. Much of it began while KhakiKid cycled through Dublin, recording lyric ideas as voice notes on his phone. Inspired by Country by Good Morning, those early fragments were later taken to Chameleon, who rebuilt the track from the ground up with a new instrumental and added melodic ideas that shifted the emotional tone of the original writing, giving the finished song its distinct character.

The result is a feel-good but emotionally layered anthem that balances humour, honesty and vulnerability. KhakiKid has described the track as being about “being a mess and knowing you don't deserve someone's love or affection, but still hoping they'll give you some. It's also about coming to terms with the fact that you can't just fix everything overnight and expect everything to be okay from then on.” That tension between self-awareness and optimism runs throughout the song, making it both immediate and reflective at the same time. The release is accompanied by a music video directed by Moses O’Halloran, which follows KhakiKid and his friends through a series of familiar settings including a local pub, where they play chess, and a park, before the day slowly unravels into chaos and ends with a firework-filled finale. The visual captures his trademark sense of humour and unpredictability while grounding everything in a feeling of real friendship and everyday life.

Born and raised in Dublin, KhakiKid, real name Abdu, began writing raps at the age of 12, inspired by the storytelling of Eminem and 50 Cent as well as the raw energy of Channel U-era grime and rap videos. Over time, he developed a sound that blends offbeat structure, emotional openness and a wide range of influences including Tyler, The Creator, Mac Miller, Bricknasty and Kojaque. His work often explores themes of identity, belonging and heritage, shaped by his upbringing on a Dublin council estate, his openness about living with ADHD and his reconnection with his Arab-Irish roots. Alongside his music, he takes a hands-on approach to visuals, directing and editing much of his own video work, which has helped build a distinct and cohesive creative world around his output.

His rise has been marked by increasingly high-profile live performances and growing international attention. He has sold out headline shows at Dublin’s iconic 3Olympia Theatre, performed on the Electric Arena Stage at Electric Picnic, and appeared at the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival alongside artists such as Maverick Sabre, Aby Coulibaly and Rejjie Snow. His reputation as a live performer continues to grow, with energetic and emotionally charged shows becoming a defining part of his appeal. He is also a Spotify RADAR: First Listen artist, has surpassed 25 million streams and gained over 100,000 new followers in a short period, with co-signs from artists including Lola Young and Anderson .Paak, alongside media support from outlets such as Wonderland, MTV UK, NME, Dazed, Clash and The Times. He has been nominated for Breakthrough Artist and Song of the Year at the RTÉ Choice Music Prize for Date Nite, which he also performed on The Late Late Show.

Following his EP Girl Bites Dog released in April, KhakiKid continues to build momentum with a genre-fluid approach that refuses to sit still. The project received strong backing from BBC Radio 1’s Future Artists programme with support from Sian Eleri, as well as coverage from Dazed, Hunger Magazine, Clash, NME and The Times. A promotional clip for Soul also went viral, reaching over 16 million views across social media and expanding his audience far beyond Ireland and the UK. Ahead of the single’s release, he also hosted listening events in London and Dublin where Easy Does It was previewed live, with appearances from close collaborators including F3miii, Kojaque and Saint DeMarcus, and the track quickly became a standout moment of the nights.

KhakiKid is set to support The Streets at Rock N Roll Circus in Rock N Roll Circus this August before embarking on a headline tour across the UK and Ireland in October, including London, Manchester, Glasgow, Galway, Cork and Belfast, with his London date selling out within minutes and a second show added due to demand. With new music on the horizon and a growing live presence, Easy Does It feels like another step in a fast-moving trajectory rather than a standalone moment, underlining the collaborative spark between KhakiKid and Chameleon and the increasingly wide reach of his work.