:Anderson .Paak
{{Short description|American singer (born 1986)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Anderson .Paak
| image = 'K-Pops!' director Anderson .Paak at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival 5 (Cropped).jpg
| caption = Anderson in 2024
| birth_name = Brandon Paak Anderson
| alias = {{hlist|Breezy Lovejoy|Cheeky Andy|DJ Pee .Wee}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1986|2|8}}
| birth_place = Oxnard, California, U.S.
{{Infobox person
| child = yes
| education = Foothill Technology High School}}
| genre = {{hlist|R&B|hip-hop{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/rising/9827-anderson-paak-and-the-power-of-positive-rb/|title=Anderson .Paak and the Power of Positive R&B|publisher=Pitchfork|last=Greene|first=Jayson|date=February 24, 2016|access-date=November 17, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/anderson-paak-mn0003274605#biography |title=Anderson .Paak Albums and Discography |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=2021-11-26}}}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|rapper|songwriter|record producer}}
| instrument = {{hlist|Vocals|drums}}
| years_active = 2009–present
| label = {{hlist|Atlantic|12Tone|Aftermath|ArtClub|SteelWool|Stones Throw|Empire|Hellfyre Club|OBE}}
| current_member_of = {{flatlist|
}}
{{Infobox person
| child = yes
| children = 2
| spouse = {{marriage|Jaylyn Chang|2011|2024|end=div}}
| website = {{URL|andersonpaak.com}}|
| signature = Anderson Paak sig.svg
}}
}}
Brandon Paak Anderson{{cite news|last1=Munday|first1=Matt|title=Anderson .Paak: 'If Dre had called five years ago, I don't think I'd have been ready'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/apr/10/anderson-paak-interview-malibu-dr-dre|newspaper=The Guardian|date=April 10, 2016|access-date=July 10, 2017}}{{cite news|last1=Kennedy|first1=Gerrick D.|title=Anderson .Paak hits big time in L.A. after struggling up the road but a world away in Oxnard|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-ca-ms-anderson-paak-20160306-story.html|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=July 10, 2017|date=March 4, 2016}} (born February 8, 1986), known professionally as Anderson .Paak ({{IPAc-en|p|æ|k}} {{respell|PACK}} or {{IPAc-en|p|ɑː|k}} {{respell|PAHK}}),{{cite web|title=Anderson .Paak Talks Working w/ Dre & His Go To As a Wedding Singer! [VIDEO]|url=https://www.hot97.com/news/new-hot97/anderson-paak-talks-working-w-dre-his-go-wedding-singer-video|publisher=WQHT|access-date=February 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151204125652/https://www.hot97.com/news/new-hot97/anderson-paak-talks-working-w-dre-his-go-wedding-singer-video|archive-date=December 4, 2015|date=December 3, 2015}} is an American R&B singer, rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He released his debut mixtape, O.B.E. Vol. 1, in 2012 and went on to release his debut album, Venice, in 2014.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/10-new-artists-you-need-to-know-november-2014-20141120/anderson-paak-20141120|title=10 New Artists You Need To Know: November 2014 – Anderson Paak|magazine=Rolling Stone|first=Mosi|last=Reeves|date=November 1, 2014}} In 2016, he followed up with his second album, Malibu,{{cite web|title=Review: Anderson .Paak More Than Makes Up for Lost Time on 'Malibu'|url=http://www.spin.com/2016/01/review-anderson-paak-malibu/|website=spin.com|date=January 15, 2016}} which received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Urban Contemporary Album, followed by his third album, Oxnard (2018). At the 61st Grammy Awards, Paak won his first Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance with his 2018 non-album single "Bubblin".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.thefader.com/2019/02/10/kings-dead-anderson-paak-bubblin-tie-for-best-rap-performance-at-the-2019-grammys|title=Jay Rock's "King's Dead" and Anderson .Paak's "Bubblin" tie for Best Rap Performance at the 2019 Grammys|magazine=The Fader|access-date=July 11, 2019}} In 2020, he won two additional Grammy Awards for Best R&B Album with his fourth album Ventura, while a song from the album won Best R&B Performance with "Come Home" (featuring André 3000).[https://www.vulture.com/2020/01/grammy-winners-2020-the-full-list.html Grammy Award Winners 2020] by Zoe Haylock, Vulture.com, January 26, 2020.
Apart from his solo career, Anderson formed the duo NxWorries in 2015 with record producer Knxwledge. He is frequently accompanied by the band Free Nationals, who play a variety of instruments, such as electric guitar, bass, piano, keyboards and drums, and also serve as backing vocalists. In 2021, he formed the duo Silk Sonic with fellow singer-songwriter Bruno Mars. The duo's debut single, "Leave the Door Open", became Anderson's first single to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100, and was the recipient of four awards at the 64th Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year and Record of the Year.
Early life
Brandon Paak Anderson was born on February 8, 1986, at St. John's Regional Medical Center in Oxnard, California.{{cite web|url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/2018/11/18/dr-dre-celebrates-anderson-paak-album-oxnard/1992294002/|title = Dr. Dre arrives to celebrate new Anderson .Paak album titled 'Oxnard'}}{{Cite web |last=II |first=Wes Woods |title=Anderson .Paak festival in Ventura County canceled; artist sets sights on 2025 event |url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/2024/09/24/anderson-paak-festival-canceled-event-set-for-2025/75350340007/ |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=Ventura County Star |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Fader |first=The |date=August 9, 2024 |title=Oxnard: the West Coast’s not-so-hidden music gem |url=https://www.thefader.com/2024/08/09/oxnard-the-west-coasts-not-so-hidden-music-gem |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=The FADER |language=en}} He is of mixed African American and Korean heritage.{{cite web|url=http://kindaneat.net/anderson-paak/|title=Episode 54: Anderson Paak|publisher=Kinda Neat|date=April 2, 2014|access-date=January 18, 2020}} Anderson's mother was born in South Korea during the Korean War{{cite web|title=Anderson .Paak: 'People are like – Damn! How are you not on crack cocaine right now?'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/apr/13/anderson-paak-people-are-like-damn-how-are-you-not-on-crack-cocaine-right-now|newspaper=The Guardian|first=Dorian|last=Lynskey|date=April 13, 2019}} to an African American man who is presumed to have been a soldier. She was abandoned in a Korean orphanage and adopted by an African-American family in Compton.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/apr/10/anderson-paak-interview-malibu-dr-dre/|title=Anderson Paak: 'If Dre had called five years ago, I don't think I'd have been ready'|newspaper=The Guardian|date=April 10, 2016|access-date=May 7, 2022}}
At age seven, Anderson saw his estranged father attack his mother: "My little sister and I went out front and my pops was on top of my mom. There was blood in the street. He was arrested and that was the last time I saw him. I think he did 14 years."{{cite magazine|title=Anderson Paak: Dr. Dre's Golden Child Goes From Protege to Solo Star|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/magazine-feature/6842874/anderson-paak-on-malibu-album-working-with-dr-dre-life-struggles|magazine=Billboard|first=Chris|last=Martins|date=January 14, 2016}}
Shortly after he started his senior year of high school, his mother was convicted of major fraud. "I got a call in class: 'They arrested your mom today.{{'"}} Anderson's mother pleaded guilty to defrauding investors of millions using her produce distribution company. She received a seven-year prison sentence.
Career
=2009–2013: Beginnings=
Anderson began producing music from his bedroom as a teenager, while attending Foothill Technology High School. His first experiences performing were as a drummer at his family's church.{{Citation|last=Breakfast Club Power 105.1 FM|title=Anderson Paak Interview With The Breakfast Club (7-28-16)|date=July 28, 2016|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHkdOsycCA8| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211107/ZHkdOsycCA8| archive-date=November 7, 2021 | url-status=live|access-date=February 7, 2017}}{{cbignore}} In 2011, prior to being a successful working musician, Anderson became homeless with his wife and infant son after he was dismissed from his job at a marijuana farm in Santa Barbara.{{cite news |last=Weiss |first=Jeff |date=November 27, 2013 |title=R&B singer Anderson Paak has a curious new project |url=http://www.laweekly.com/music/randb-singer-anderson-paak-has-a-curious-new-project-4169754 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214063358/http://www.laweekly.com/music/randb-singer-anderson-paak-has-a-curious-new-project-4169754 |archive-date=2015-02-14 |publisher=LA Weekly}} Early in his career, Anderson used the stage name Breezy Lovejoy.{{cite web|title=Anderson .Paak Sings Hot Sauce Ballads While Eating Spicy Wings {{!}} Hot Ones|website = YouTube| date=October 18, 2018 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eot4ZOUUNRI}}
In 2011, Anderson had started earning acceptance in the Los Angeles music scene as he worked on his debut album. Shafiq Husayn of Sa-Ra and Los Angeles–based rapper Dumbfoundead helped Anderson recover financially from losing his job in Santa Barbara by employing him as an assistant, videographer, editor, writer and producer. He completed O.B.E. Vol. 1 and released the album on June 30, 2012. He became the drummer for former American Idol semi-finalist Haley Reinhart. After the release of O.B.E. Vol. 1, Anderson changed his stage name to Anderson .Paak; he claims that the dot stands for "detail", the need to pay attention to detail.{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2016/01/30/464562688/anderson-paak-the-dot-stands-for-detail|title=Anderson .Paak: 'The Dot Stands For Detail'|website=NPR }}{{Cite web|url=https://meaww.com/what-does-anderson-paaks-strange-tattoo-really-say-rapper-instructs-about-his-posthumous-music|title=What does Anderson .Paak's strange tattoo say? Here's what rapper said about posthumous music|website=meaww.com|date=August 18, 2021 }}
On November 27, 2013, Paak produced and recorded Cover Art, an all-covers EP. Paak was inspired by white artists of the 1950s who achieved commercial success by remaking songs written by Black blues and R&B singers, while rarely compensating the original artists.{{cite web|title=The Sound of Tomorrow with Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals (LIVE)|url=http://www.theecho.com/event/797369-sound-tomorrow-anderson-los-angeles/|website=theecho.com|access-date=January 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131112121/http://www.theecho.com/event/797369-sound-tomorrow-anderson-los-angeles/|archive-date=January 31, 2016|url-status=dead}} Cover Art reversed the process and transformed folk and rock classics from white musicians into a mold of soul, funk, jazz, left-field pop, hip-hop, and R&B. The album was released by the independent Hellfyre Club and OBE labels.{{cite web|title=Cover Art|url=https://hellfyreclub.bandcamp.com/album/cover-art|website=hellfyreclub.bandcamp.com|access-date=January 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422224019/http://hellfyreclub.bandcamp.com/album/cover-art|archive-date=April 22, 2016|url-status=dead}} Paak was the lead producer for Watsky's 2014 album All You Can Do and is featured on three of its sixteen tracks.
=2014–2017: ''Venice'' and ''Malibu''=
File:Anderson .Paak July 2016.jpg
On October 28, 2014, Paak released his debut album, Venice, as Anderson .Paak, on OBE and Steel Wool. Paak performed on six songs on Dr. Dre's 2015 album Compton and two on The Game's The Documentary 2.5. In 2014, Paak joined Jhené Aiko on her Enter The Void tour. In October 2015, he announced that he had recorded material with Schoolboy Q and 9th Wonder. Paak released his second album, Malibu, on January 15, 2016, to critical acclaim, featuring contributions from 9th Wonder, Rapsody, and Kaytranada.{{cite news|title = Life After Dre: Anderson Paak on "Compton," Style & His New Album - DJBooth|url = http://www.djbooth.net/index/news/entry/2015-10-01-anderson-paak-interview|newspaper = Djbooth|access-date = October 23, 2015}}
In January 2016, he indicated that he had been recording with Flying Lotus.{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06whk5b#play |title=BBC Radio 6 Music - Gilles Peterson, Ed Motta and Anderson .Paak |website=Bbc.co.uk |date=January 16, 2016 |access-date=May 12, 2016}} On January 30, 2016, Paak spoke with Scott Simon of NPR's Weekend Edition Saturday about his tumultuous background as a child of mixed-race parents, that the "." in his name stands for "detail", his apprenticeship with Dr. Dre and how all of these influences shaped his music.{{cite news|title = Anderson .Paak: 'The Dot Stands For Detail'|url = https://www.npr.org/2016/01/30/464562688/anderson-paak-the-dot-stands-for-detail|website = npr.org|access-date = January 30, 2016}} On January 30, Paak announced via Twitter he has signed to Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/AndersonPaak/status/693641292966854656 |title=Andy $ide$tick on Twitter: "Aftermath gets the last laugh 💨🍃🍂🍃 |website=Twitter |date=January 30, 2016 |access-date=May 12, 2016}} He said he always sends his ideas to Dr. Dre and the two work very fast.{{cite web |url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/anderson-paak-on-his-ongoing-work-with-dr-dre-i-m-always-sending-him-ideas-news.25588.html? |title=Anderson Paak describes relationship with Dr. Dre |last=Smith |first=Trevor |website=HNHH |date=November 19, 2016 |access-date=November 19, 2016}} In 2016, Paak was named one of the XXL Freshmen, along with Lil Dicky, Desiigner, Dave East, Denzel Curry, Lil Yachty, G Herbo, Lil Uzi Vert, 21 Savage, and Kodak Black.
In August 2016, Paak performed on NPR Music's Tiny Desk Concert series with his backing band the Free Nationals. The concert became one of "the most popular in the history of the series", according to NPR.{{cite magazine |last1=Mamo |first1=Heran |title=The Free Nationals Return to Tiny Desk With Anderson .Paak & Other Special Guests |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9362174/the-free-nationals-anderson-paak-tiny-desk-concert |magazine=Billboard |access-date=April 22, 2020}}
=2018–2019: ''Oxnard'' and ''Ventura''=
In 2018, Paak's new single "Til It's Over" featured in a TV commercial released by Apple Inc. The advertisement was directed by Spike Jonze, featuring FKA Twigs in the video, promoting the Apple HomePod smart speaker.{{cite web |url=http://www.sounds-familiar.info/2018/03/apple-homepod-welcome-home/ |title=Apple HomePod Commercial |date=March 20, 2018 |access-date=March 20, 2018}} Along with collaborations with Apple, "Til It's Over" was used in a playlist in the 2018 video game Forza Horizon 4. His song "Bubblin" was in the playlist of Madden NFL 19. In an interview with Complex magazine posted on October 10, 2018, Paak revealed that his forthcoming album Oxnard would be released on November 16, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30lr8PkY--s&t=1087| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211107/30lr8PkY--s| archive-date=November 7, 2021 | url-status=live|title= Anderson .Paak on Oxnard, Mac Miller + Ric Flair goes Rolex Shopping : Open Late w Peter Rosenberg | date=October 10, 2018|publisher=YouTube|access-date=January 18, 2020}}{{cbignore}} Paak released his third studio album Oxnard on November 16. The album is executive produced by Dr. Dre and is an homage to Paak's hometown in California. The album has a heavy funk theme throughout the project and features artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Pusha T, and J. Cole. The album features the song "Cheers", a Q-Tip featured track paying homage to Mac Miller.{{cite web |title=Anderson .Paak Pays Homage to His Friend Mac Miller on the Celebratory Track "Cheers" |url=https://www.okayplayer.com/music/anderson-paak-mac-miller-tribute-cheers-oxnard.html |website=OkayPlayer.com |date=November 16, 2018 |access-date=February 25, 2020}} He co-wrote two songs on Liberation, the sixth album by Christina Aguilera, in 2018. On December 3, 2018, Paak announced a world tour in support of Oxnard. The tour is titled Andy's Beach Club and began in the U.S. on February 11, 2019, before heading to Europe.{{cite web |url=https://stadiumhelp.com/tour_guide/anderson-paak-tour-tickets-setlist/ |title=Anderson Paak Tour Tickets, Setlist, Dates, Merch, Guide |access-date=December 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206102434/https://stadiumhelp.com/tour_guide/anderson-paak-tour-tickets-setlist/ |archive-date=December 6, 2018 |url-status=dead }}
Paak released his fourth studio album, Ventura, on April 12, 2019, featuring artists such as André 3000, Smokey Robinson, Brandy, and Nate Dogg, among others. Ventura was executive produced by Dr. Dre and was released by Dre's record label, Aftermath Entertainment. The title follows the theme of his previous albums, making his way up the California coast. Whereas Oxnard covered various snippets of Paak's life in vivid detail, Ventura homes in on more personal details of the artist himself, returning to the mine of slick R&B and funk rap of his acclaimed debut, Malibu. "Growing up in Oxnard gave me the grit and the church to find this voice of mine. One town over, I went further and found my depth," Paak said in a press statement.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/anderson-paak-new-album-ventura-tour-dates-801183/|title=Anderson .Paak Details New Album 'Ventura,' Plots Tour|last=Legaspi|first=Althea|date=February 28, 2019|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|access-date=April 25, 2019}} He announced a new tour, titled The Best Teef In the Game Tour, with Free Nationals, which began on May 17, 2019. The tour was supported by Thundercat, Mac DeMarco, Earl Sweatshirt, Noname, and Jessie Reyez.{{cite web |last1=Yoo |first1=Noah |title=Anderson .Paak Announces New Album Ventura and Tour With Mac DeMarco, Earl, Thundercat, More |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/anderson-paak-announces-new-album-ventura-and-tour-with-mac-demarco-thundercat-more/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=February 27, 2019 |date=February 27, 2019}} Paak's music video "Bubblin" was nominated for Best Director at the Berlin Music Video Awards in 2019.{{cite web|last=Berlin Music Video Awards|date=April 22, 2021|title=Nominees 2019|url=https://www.berlinmva.com/nominees-2019/|website=www.berlinmva.com|access-date=April 22, 2021|archive-date=April 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422152037/https://www.berlinmva.com/nominees-2019/|url-status=dead}}
=2020–2023: Silk Sonic and ''Justice'' =
On January 20, 2020, Paak was a guest showcase model on the television game show The Price Is Right.[https://www.stereogum.com/2070562/anderson-paak-the-price-is-right/video/ Anderson Paak & The Price is Right] by Chris DeVille, Stereogum.com, January 20, 2020. Also in January 2020, Paak was featured on Eminem's eleventh studio album, titled Music to Be Murdered By, on the track "Lock It Up".{{cite web|url=https://genius.com/Eminem-lock-it-up-lyrics|title= Eminem – Lock It Up Lyrics |website=Genius.com|access-date=January 18, 2020}}
Paak released the non-album single "Lockdown" in June 2020, coinciding with the commemoration of Juneteenth. The music video, directed by Dave Meyers, featured appearances from Jay Rock, Dumbfoundead, SiR, Syd, Dominic Fike and other musicians.{{cite web|date=June 19, 2020|title=Anderson .Paak shares moving video for Juneteenth single 'Lockdown'|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/anderson-paak-to-share-new-single-lockdown-on-juneteenth-2691145|access-date=December 31, 2020|website=NME {{!}} Music, Film, TV, Gaming & Pop Culture News|language=en-GB}} In August 2020, Paak was featured on the soundtrack to the Madden NFL 21 game, on the song "Cut Em In", featuring Rick Ross,{{cite web|url=https://www.ea.com/games/madden-nfl/madden-nfl-21/news/madden-21-soundtrack|title=Madden NFL 21 Soundtrack|date=August 14, 2020|via=EA Sports|access-date=August 15, 2020}} which was also played during the end credits of Tom & Jerry.
On February 26, 2021, Paak and fellow American singer-songwriter Bruno Mars announced they formed a band together called Silk Sonic. Their debut studio album, An Evening with Silk Sonic, was released on November 12, 2021, and includes a collaboration with Thundercat and Bootsy Collins.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/BrunoMars/status/1365150996838555648|title=✨We locked in and made an album. The band's called Silk Sonic. First song drops next Friday 3/5.✨|via=Twitter|access-date=February 26, 2021}}
On April 21, 2021, Paak signed a worldwide administrative deal with Warner Chappell Music in partnership with Dr. Dre's Hard Workin' Black Folks publishing company. The agreement includes Paak's and Bruno Mars' Silk Sonic single "Leave the Door Open" and both Paak's music catalog and future releases.{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/publishing/9560108/anderson-paak-warner-chappell-music-worldwide-deal/|title=Anderson .Paak Opens Door to Worldwide Deal With Warner Chappell Music|website=billboard.com|date=April 21, 2021|access-date=April 21, 2021}} The single topped the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming .Paak's first song to do so.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9555081/silk-sonic-leave-the-door-open-number-one-hot-100|title=Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak, as Silk Sonic, Top Billboard Hot 100 With 'Leave the Door Open'.|magazine=Billboard|last=Trust|first=Gary|date=April 12, 2021|access-date=April 13, 2021}} "Smokin Out the Window" also reached the top 10 on the Hot 100.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9660099/adele-post-malone-the-weeknd-silk-sonic-hot-100-top-10/|title=Adele Rules Hot 100 for Fourth Week; Post Malone & The Weeknd, Silk Sonic Debut in Top 10|magazine=Billboard|last=Trust|first=Gary|date=November 15, 2021|access-date=November 16, 2021}} For the 2022 Grammy Awards, Silk Sonic received four Grammy nominations for "Leave the Door Open", including Record of the Year and Song of the Year.{{Cite web |title=2022 GRAMMYs Awards Show: Complete Winners & Nominations List |url=https://www.grammy.com/news/2022-grammys-complete-winners-nominees-nominations-list |access-date=2022-12-05 |website=www.grammy.com}}
In November 2021, Paak partnered with Universal Music Group to form a new record label called Apeshit Inc.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/record-labels/9654275/anderson-paak-apeshit-label-universal-music/|title=Anderson .Paak Forms Label With UMG to Showcase Artists With Chops|magazine=Billboard|date=November 2, 2021}}
In 2021, Paak worked with fellow American rapper Dr. Dre on an album for the Rockstar Games video game Grand Theft Auto Online. The DLC was released on December 15, 2021, and the album was released publicly on February 4, 2022.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/39329ko7897a59/music-from-gta-online-the-contract-by-dr-dre-now-available/|title=Music from GTA Online: The Contract by Dr. Dre Now Available|magazine=Album|date=February 4, 2022}} Paak was featured as a minor character in the game.
On February 13, 2022, Paak was a special guest (on drums) at the Super Bowl LVI halftime show, which featured performances from fellow American rappers Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige, and 50 Cent.{{Cite magazine |last=Aniftos |first=Rania |date=2022-02-14 |title=Yes, That Was Anderson .Paak Playing Drums for Eminem at the Super Bowl |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/super-bowl-2022-halftime-show-anderson-paak-drums-for-eminem-1235031022/ |access-date=2023-03-12 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}} In 2023, Paak announced his fifth album, Justice.
=2024–present: Divorce and ''Why Lawd?''=
In January 2024, Anderson .Paak filed for divorce from his wife, Jae Lin Chang. The couple cited "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for the split, as reported in court documents obtained by Us Weekly. This marked a difficult period for the musician, who had been married to Chang for several years.{{cite news|title=Anderson .Paak Files for Divorce from Wife Jae Lin Chang|url=https://www.usweekly.com|date=January 15, 2024|access-date=January 16, 2024}}
Despite the personal challenges, Paak continued to make strides in his music career. On June 7, 2024, he and his collaborator Knxwledge, under the name NxWorries, released their second studio album, Why Lawd?. The album was released physically on June 7, 2024, by Stones Throw Records, and was made available digitally on June 14, 2024.{{cite web|title=NxWorries - Why Lawd? Album Release Details|url=https://www.stonesthrow.com|date=June 7, 2024|access-date=June 14, 2024}} The album received critical acclaim for its fusion of neo-soul, jazz, and hip-hop, continuing the duo’s reputation for creating unique and innovative sounds.{{cn|date=January 2025}}
Personal life
Paak met his wife, Jae Lin Chang, a music student from South Korea, while she was in college. In 2011, prior to being a successful working musician, Paak was working at a marijuana farm in Santa Barbara. He was dismissed without warning and became homeless with his wife and infant son. The couple had a second son in 2017. In 2017, Paak confirmed during an interview with The Breakfast Club that this is his second marriage, but that "Jaylyn is the one that matters".{{cite magazine |last=Shapiro|first=Hannah|date=April 14, 2021 |title=Who Is Anderson .Paak's Wife? She's Been By His Side Through Thick & Thin|url=https://www.bustle.com/p/who-is-anderson-paaks-wife-shes-been-by-his-side-through-thick-thin-37166 |access-date=April 9, 2021 |magazine=Bustle |language=en}} In January 2024, Paak filed for divorce after thirteen years of marriage.{{Cite magazine |last=Richards |first=Bailey |date=January 13, 2024 |title=Anderson .Paak Files for Divorce from Wife Jaylyn Chang After More Than 13 Years of Marriage |url=https://people.com/anderson-paak-files-divorce-wife-jaylyn-chang-8426118 |access-date=2024-01-14 |magazine=People |language=en}}
Paak has a tattoo on his chest, depicting Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Prince, and Miles Davis,{{cite news|last=Weiner |first=Jonah |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/bruno-mars-anderson-paak-silk-sonic-album-release-date-1212141/ |title=Bruno Mars, Anderson Paak on Silk Sonic Album, Their Friendship |publisher=Rolling Stone |date=2021-08-18 |access-date=2021-11-26}} and a tattoo on his arm with the text, "When I'm gone please don't release any posthumous albums or songs with my name attached. Those were just demos and never intended to be heard by the public".{{cite web|author=Justin Curto |url=https://www.vulture.com/2021/08/anderson-paak-tattoo-no-posthumous-albums.html |title=Anderson .Paak Debuts Tattoo Advising No Posthumous Albums |publisher=Vulture.com |date=2021-08-18 |access-date=2021-11-26}}
Charity
In 2016, Paak founded The Brandon Anderson Foundation, a nonprofit organization which aims to "Support and create initiatives that uplift, engage and support the community through access to the arts, supplemental education and unique experiences to expand the imagination".{{Cite web|title=BRANDON ANDERSON FOUNDATION {{!}} Open990|url=https://www.open990.org/org/814792062/brandon-anderson-foundation/|access-date=2022-01-11|website=www.open990.org|archive-date=January 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111145935/https://www.open990.org/org/814792062/brandon-anderson-foundation/|url-status=dead}} In December 2017, he launched .Paak House, an annual benefit concert which helps raise funds for the organisation.{{Cite web|title=Anderson .Paak explains why he moved his .Paak House festival from LA to Oxnard, California|url=https://979weve.com/2021/12/21/anderson-paak-explains-why-he-moved-his-paak-house-festival-from-la-to-oxnard-california/|access-date=2022-01-11|website=97.9 WEVE|language=en}}{{Dead link|date=March 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{Cite web|date=2017-12-04|title=Anderson .Paak Hosts First Paak House Event|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/raphael-saadiq-jhene-aiko-join-anderson-paaks-foundation-concert|access-date=2022-01-11|website=GRAMMY.com|language=en}} Past performers at the concert include The Game, Jay Rock, Kali Uchis, Jhené Aiko, Ty Dolla Sign, Cordae, Freddie Gibbs, Masego, Thundercat and Schoolboy Q.{{Cite web|last=Schube|first=Will|date=2021-12-10|title=Anderson .Paak Announces Fourth Annual .Paak House Event|url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/anderson-paak-paak-house-event/|access-date=2022-01-11|website=uDiscover Music|language=en-US}} As of 2021, the organisation has raised more than half a million dollars and provided over 3,000 families in the Greater Los Angeles area with basic necessities.{{Cite web|date=2021-12-10|title=Anderson .Paak Announces Fourth Annual .Paak House Event|url=https://eurweb.com/2021/12/10/anderson-paak-announces-fourth-annual-paak-house-event/|access-date=2022-01-11|website=EURweb}} In 2021 .Paak House was hosted at College Park in Oxnard.{{Cite web |last=Childs |first=Jeremy |date=December 29, 2021 |title='I want to give back': Anderson .Paak brings his Paak House music festival to Oxnard |url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/communities/oxnard/2021/12/19/anderson-paak-bring-paak-house-charity-music-festival-oxnard/8899466002/ |access-date=2022-04-28 |website=Ventura County Star |language=en}} The May 2023 event was held at the Ventura County Fairgrounds in Ventura.{{Cite news |last=Kisken |first=Tom |date=April 25, 2023 |title=Rapper Anderson .Paak to bring .Paak House music festival to Ventura County Fairgrounds |url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/04/25/anderson-paak-house-music-festival-date-tickets-venue-location-lineup/70151958007/ |access-date=2023-04-26 |newspaper=Ventura County Star |language=en-US}}
In 2025, Anderson .Paak performed at the FireAid benefit concert, a two-venue music-based fundraising initiative set to take place on January 30, 2025.{{cite news|title=Anderson .Paak to Perform at FireAid Benefit Concert|url=https://www.musicnews.com|date=January 10, 2025|access-date=January 11, 2025}}
Discography
{{main|Anderson .Paak discography}}
{{see also|NxWorries#Discography|Silk Sonic}}
=Studio albums=
=Collaborative albums=
- Yes Lawd! (with Knxwledge, as NxWorries) (2016)
- An Evening with Silk Sonic (with Bruno Mars, as Silk Sonic) (2021)
- Why Lawd? (with Knxwledge, as NxWorries) (2024)
Filmography
=Films =
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" | Notes ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Ref. |
| scope="row" | 2020
| rowspan="2" | Prince Darnell | rowspan="2" | Voice role |
|---|
| scope="row" | 2023 |
| scope="row" rowspan="2" | 2024
| D Squiz | {{N/a}} |
| K-Pops!
| BJ | Also wrote and directed |
| {{N/A}}
| Golden | {{N/A}} | Unreleased | |
{{Pending films key}}
= Television =
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" | Notes ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Ref. |
| scope="row" | 2020
| Himself | Episode: "A King Is Born" |
|---|
| scope="row" | 2021
| Prince Darnell | TV movie, voice role | align="center" | {{cite web |title=Trolls Holiday in Harmony |url=https://www.dreamworks.com/movies/trolls-holiday-in-harmony#introduction |website=Dreamworks |access-date=12 July 2024}} |
| scope="row" | 2022–2023
| TK | 2 episodes, voice role |
| scope="row" | 2023
| Anderswim .Shaark | 1 episode, voice role |
| scope="row" | 2023–2024
| Himself | 2 episodes, with the Free Nationals |
| scope="row" | 2025
| Himself | 1 episode |
Tours
Headlining
- Andy's Beach Club {{small|(with Free Nationals)}} (2019)
- The Best Teef In the Game Tour {{small|(with Free Nationals)}} (2020)
- An Evening with Silk Sonic at Park MGM {{small|(with Bruno Mars as Silk Sonic)}} (2022)
Supporting
- Wintervention Tour {{small|(Wax & Dumbfoundead)}} (2013)
- Enter The Void Tour {{small|(Jhené Aiko)}} (2014)
- All You Can Do Tour {{small|(Watsky)}} (2014)
- 24K Magic World Tour {{small|(Bruno Mars)}} (2017)
- 2022 Global Stadium Tour {{small|(Red Hot Chili Peppers)}} (2022)
Awards and nominations
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
External links
- {{Official website|www.andersonpaak.com}}
- [https://www.paakhouse.org Paak House website]
{{Anderson Paak}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for Anderson .Paak
|list =
{{BET Award for Video Director of the Year}}
{{Grammy Award for Song of the Year}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Progressive R&B Album}}
{{Grammy Award for Best R&B Album}}
{{Grammy Award for Best R&B Song}}
{{MTV Video Music Award for Best R&B Video}}
}}
{{Silk Sonic}}
{{NxWorries}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Paak, Anderson}}
Category:21st-century American rappers
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Category:African-American male rappers
Category:20th-century American male rappers
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Category:Aftermath Entertainment artists
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Category:American musicians of Korean descent
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Category:MTV Video Music Award winners
Category:Musicians from Oxnard, California
Category:Alternative R&B musicians
Category:Rappers from Los Angeles
Category:Singers from Los Angeles
Category:Record producers from Los Angeles
Category:Alternative hip-hop musicians
Category:Singer-songwriters from California
Category:African-American male singer-songwriters
Category:American male singer-songwriters
Category:21st-century African-American male singers
Category:21st-century American male singers
Category:21st-century American drummers
Category:African-American drummers