Parnaq: We weren't at a church service - we were at a festival

Parnaq Hammond Iversen, a powerful rapper, says that the air was thick with an electric fog of anticipation backstage in Sisimiut.

While the bass from Arctic Sounds thundered through the walls, Parnaq Hammond Iversen, Tarrak, Angukasik and Filuka gathered around a ritual arsenal of Underberg.

The small, brown bottles were unzipped and passed around as a bitter cure for frayed nerves, especially for Parnaq, who would be the next to step into the spotlight.

- We filled each other with energy and sent the next performers off with hugs and the wish for a blast of a performance, she says.

Despite her cold, Parnaq Hammond Iversen wanted to deliver a fantastic experience to the festival guests.

- My goal was to give the audience the ultimate hip-hop experience. We Greenlandic rappers are known for our sharp tongues, and I wanted that nerve and precision all the way to the edge of the stage, explains Parnaq.

Up on stage

The audience moved closer to the edge of the stage when Parnaq was announced as the next act of the evening.

From the stage, she could see the amazement on people's faces as she delivered her show. Afterwards, she was full of admiration for Arctic Sounds' setup and sent a special thank you to the organizers and lighting technicians for creating a world-class visual backdrop.

- It was a positive surprise to see how people flocked to the stage as soon as I was announced. I felt in incredibly safe hands because the technical setup was so well-executed. Big praise to the organizers and lighting technicians for creating the perfect setting, she says and continues:

- The joy of being on stage was indescribable. Seeing the audience singing along to my lyrics created a very special sense of unity that I could feel deep in my heart. I was filled with pride to see us Greenlanders supporting each other in that way, it wasn't just a performance, it was a party we created together.

Queen P performed her best-known songs, including Ningiu Freestyle, Old School Native and the song that got the biggest reaction from the audience, Qitsuk feat. Angukasik. Parnaq says she was particularly surprised by the strong response to the rap song Qitsuk.

- When I finished my set and stepped off the stage, the hall exploded into a rhythmic chorus. The chant 'Aammalu! Aammalu!' rolled through the room with such force that I couldn't help but turn around and give them the encore they demanded, says Hammond Iversen.

After the encore, Parnaq stepped off the stage. Backstage, she capped off a triumph of a concert by downing another Underberg.

Enthusiasm and Amazement

The guests did not hide their excitement and later told Parnaq that it was her entrance that really made the party explode.

For many, her performance felt like the actual start of the festival's grand finale.

- We weren't at a church service, we were at a festival, so there was a party. I have the impression that the shock effect is an important tool when you want to get the audience in full gear, says Parnaq with a laugh.

Parnaq Hammond Iversen excitedly told about her meeting with JJ Paulo from Tanzania, who also performed at the festival. He is both a musician and a performer, and the meeting made a big impression on her.

- I met, among others, JJ Paulo, who gave an incredible amount of himself. When he meets us Greenlanders, something special happens. It's as if a spark is lit in people. Suddenly, the Greenlanders dance freely and effortlessly, as if no one is watching. It is one of the experiences at the festival that has really surprised me. He was the highlight of the festival for me, says Hammond Iversen with clear amazement.

The next step for Queen P

Parnaq acts as a mentor for a number of young artists, whom she calls “Nuussuarmiuutikka”, who are in the process of releasing music.

At the same time, she is working hard on her own debut album, which will be released in the coming days.

- You have something to be happy about, says Parnaq Hammeken Iversen about her upcoming debut album.

Parnaq's message to her fans is that they should never hold back, even when they encounter opposition.

- Never be humble in the way that you hold yourself back, no matter where you are and what society you are in. Be yourself. It doesn't matter if you grew up in a ghetto or in Greenland's 'Beverly Hills', Qinngorput. Don't limit yourself, concludes Greenland's rap queen, Parnaq Hammond Iversen.