Anderson Paak

Brandon Paak Anderson[1][2] (born February 8, 1986), known professionally as Anderson Paak (/pæk/ or /pɑːk/; stylized as Anderson .Paak),[3] is an American singer, rapper, songwriter, record producer and multi-instrumentalist from Oxnard, California. He released his debut mixtape, O.B.E. Vol. 1 in 2012, and went on to release Venice in 2014.[4] He later followed up with Malibu, in 2016,[5] which received a nomination for Best Urban Contemporary Album at the Grammy Awards, followed by Oxnard, in 2018 and Ventura, in 2019. At the 61st Grammy Awards, Paak won his first Grammy award for Best Rap Performance with the song "Bubblin".[6] He again won a Grammy Award in 2020 for "Best R&B Album" with Ventura and one for Best R&B Performance for "Come Home" (feat. André 3000).[7]

Anderson .Paak
Paak in 2016
Background information
Birth nameBrandon Paak Anderson
Also known asBreezy Lovejoy, Cheeky Andy
Born (1986-02-08) February 8, 1986
Oxnard, California, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • rapper
  • record producer
  • multi-instrumentalist
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • drums
  • percussion
  • keyboards
Years active2009–present
Labels
Associated acts
Websitewww.andersonpaak.com

Apart from his solo career, Anderson is also one-half of NxWorries, alongside record producer Knxwledge. He is frequently accompanied by the band The Free Nationals, who play a variety of instruments such as electric guitar, bass, piano, keyboards, and drums and also serve as backing vocalists.

Early life

Anderson Paak was born at St John's Regional Medical Center in Oxnard, California, on February 8, 1986.[8] He is of mixed African-American and Korean heritage.[9] Anderson's mother was born in South Korea during the Korean War to an African-American soldier and a Korean woman. She was initially raised by her Korean grandparents, before being placed in an orphanage and then later adopted by an American family who lived in Los Angeles.[10]

At the age of 7, Paak witnessed 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 fourteen years."[11]

Career

2009–2013: Career beginnings

Paak 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. Paak met his wife, a music student from South Korea, at music school.[12] 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.[13]

In 2011, Paak had started earning acceptance in the Los Angeles music world as he worked on his debut album. Shafiq Husayn of Sa-Ra helped Paak 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 in June 30, 2012. He became the drummer for former American Idol semi-finalist Haley Reinhart.[13]

On November 27, 2013, Paak produced and recorded Cover Art, an all-covers EP. Paak was inspired by the white artists of the 1950s who achieved commercial success by remaking songs written by Black blues and R&B singers, while hardly ever compensating the original artists.[14] 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.[15] 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
Paak performing in July 2016

On October 28, 2014, Paak released Venice, his debut album 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 also 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.[5][16]

In January 2016, he indicated that he had been recording with Flying Lotus.[17] 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.[18] On January 30, Paak announced via Twitter he has signed to Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment.[19] He said he always sends his ideas to Dr. Dre and the two work very fast.[20] 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, & Kodak Black.

In August 2016, Paak performed on NPR Music's Tiny Desk Concert series with his backing band the Free Nationals. The concert has since become "the most popular in the history of the series," according to NPR.[21]

2018–present: Oxnard and Ventura

In 2018, Paak's new single "Til It's Over" featured in a new 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.[22] 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.[23] Paak released his third studio album Oxnard on the 16th of November. 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 his late friend Mac Miller.[24] He also co-wrote 2 songs on the sixth album from Christina Aguilera, Liberation 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 over to Europe.[25]

Paak released his fourth studio album, Ventura, on April 12, 2019, featuring artists such as André 3000, Smokey Robinson, Brandy, and the late 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.[26] He also announced a new tour, titled "The Best Teef In the Game Tour" with his band, The Free Nationals, which began on May 17, 2019. The tour was supported by Thundercat, Mac DeMarco, Earl Sweatshirt, Noname, and Jessie Reyez.[27]

On January 20, 2020, Paak was a guest showcase model on the television game show The Price Is Right.[28] Also in January 2020, Paak was featured on Eminem's eleventh studio album release titled Music to be Murdered By on the track "Lock It Up."[29]

On March 4, 2020, Paak appeared alongside the Free Nationals in a second Tiny Desk Concert.[21]

In August 2020, Paak was featured on the soundtrack to the Madden NFL 21 game, on the song "Cut Em In", featuring Rick Ross.[30]

The Free Nationals – band members
  • Jose Miguel Serrano Rios – lead guitars, backing vocals
  • Ron Jerome "T-NAVA!" Avant – keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals
  • Kelsey Miguel Gonzalez – bass guitar, bass synth, backing vocals
  • Callum Connor (aka Lo_Def) – DJ (DISC J0CKEY), drums, percussion, backing vocals

Discography
Main article: Anderson Paak discography
See also: NxWorries § Discography

Studio albums

Collaborative albums

Awards and nominations

BET Hip Hop Awards

The BET Hip Hop Awards are an annual awards show, airing on BET, showcasing hip hop performers, producers and music video directors.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2016 Himself Best New Hip Hop Artist Nominated [31]

Denmark GAFFA Awards

Delivered since 1991, the GAFFA Awards are a Danish award that rewards popular music by the magazine of the same name.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2019 Himself Best Foreign Act Nominated [32]

Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards are annual awards presented by The Recording Academy to recognize outstanding achievement in the mainly English-language music industry.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2017 Himself Best New Artist Nominated [33]
Malibu Best Urban Contemporary Album
2019 "Bubblin" Best Rap Performance Won
2020 Ventura Best R&B Album [34]
“Come Home” (feat. André 3000) Best R&B Performance

Soul Train Music Awards

The Soul Train Music Awards is an annual award show which previously aired in national television syndication, and honors the best in Black music and entertainment.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2016 Himself Best New Artist Nominated [35]
Centric Certified Award Won

Sweden GAFFA Awards

Delivered since 2010, the GAFFA Awards (Swedish: GAFFA Priset) are a Swedish award that rewards popular music awarded by the magazine of the same name.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2016 Himself Best Foreign New Act Won [36]
gollark: Easy resource supplies are becoming depleted but we should be okay in the longer term
gollark: I calculated that we had millions of iron ore. We should be okay.
gollark: Though Terra may have shut it down recently.
gollark: Music supplied by GTech.
gollark: Hi, whoever is on!

References
  1. Munday, Matt (April 10, 2016). "Anderson .Paak: 'If Dre had called five years ago, I don't think I'd have been ready'". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
  2. Kennedy, Gerrick D. (March 4, 2016). "Anderson .Paak hits big time in L.A. after struggling up the road but a world away in Oxnard". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
  3. "Anderson .Paak Talks Working w/ Dre & His Go To As a Wedding Singer! [VIDEO]". WQHT. December 3, 2015. Archived from the original on December 4, 2015. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  4. Reeves, Mosi (November 1, 2014). "10 New Artists You Need To Know: November 2014 – Anderson Paak". Rolling Stone.
  5. "Review: Anderson .Paak More Than Makes Up for Lost Time on 'Malibu'". spin.com.
  6. "Jay Rock's "King's Dead" and Anderson .Paak's "Bubblin" tie for Best Rap Performance at the 2019 Grammys". The FADER. Retrieved 2019-07-11.
  7. Grammy Award Winners 2020 by Zoe Haylock, Vulture.com, January 26, 2020.
  8. https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/2018/11/18/dr-dre-celebrates-anderson-paak-album-oxnard/1992294002/
  9. "Episode 54: Anderson Paak". Kindaneat.net. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  10. "Episode 991 - Anderson .Paak". WTF with Marc Maron. Retrieved May 11, 2019.
  11. Martins, Chris (January 14, 2016). "Anderson Paak: Dr. Dre's Golden Child Goes From Protege to Solo Star". Billboard Magazine.
  12. Breakfast Club Power 105.1 FM (2016-07-28), Anderson Paak Interview With The Breakfast Club (7-28-16), retrieved 2017-02-07
  13. Weiss, Jeff (November 27, 2013). "R&B singer Anderson Paak has a curious new project". LA Weekly.
  14. "The Sound of Tomorrow with Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals (LIVE)". theecho.com. Archived from the original on 31 January 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  15. "Cover Art". hellfyreclub.bandcamp.com. Archived from the original on 22 April 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  16. "Life After Dre: Anderson Paak on "Compton," Style & His New Album - DJBooth". DJBooth.net. Retrieved 2015-10-23.
  17. "BBC Radio 6 Music - Gilles Peterson, Ed Motta and Anderson. Paak". Bbc.co.uk. 2016-01-16. Retrieved 2016-05-12.
  18. "Anderson .Paak: 'The Dot Stands For Detail'". npr.org. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  19. "Andy $ide$tick on Twitter: "Aftermath gets the last laugh 💨🍃🍂🍃". Twitter. 2016-01-30. Retrieved 2016-05-12.
  20. Smith, Trevor (19 November 2016). "Anderson Paak describes relationship with Dr. Dre". Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  21. Mamo, Heran. "The Free Nationals Return to Tiny Desk With Anderson .Paak & Other Special Guests". Billboard. Billboard. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  22. "Apple HomePod Commercial". 20 March 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  23. "Anderson .Paak on Oxnard, Mac Miller + Ric Flair goes Rolex Shopping : Open Late w Peter Rosenberg". YouTube. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  24. "Anderson .Paak Pays Homage to His Friend Mac Miller on the Celebratory Track "Cheers"". OkayPlayer.com. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  25. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-12-06. Retrieved 2018-12-06.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  26. Legaspi, Althea; Legaspi, Althea (2019-02-28). "Anderson .Paak Details New Album 'Ventura,' Plots Tour". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2019-04-25.
  27. Yoo, Noah (February 27, 2019). "Anderson .Paak Announces New Album Ventura and Tour With Mac DeMarco, Earl, Thundercat, More". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  28. Anderson Paak & The Price is Right by Chris DeVille, Stereogum.com, January 20, 2020.
  29. "Eminem – Lock It Up Lyrics". Genius.com. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  30. "Madden NFL 21 Soundtrack". Retrieved August 15, 2020 – via EA Sports.
  31. Vulpo, Mike (October 5, 2016). "BET Hip Hop Awards 2016 Winners: The Complete List". E! Online News. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
  32. "GAFFA Prize - And the winners are ..." GAFFA (in Danish). Denmark. March 8, 2019.
  33. "59th Annual GRAMMY Awards Winners & Nominees - GRAMMY.com". GRAMMY.com. The Recording Academy. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
  34. "62nd Annual Grammy Awards Nominees". Grammy.
  35. Iasimone, Ashley (November 27, 2016). "2016 Soul Train Awards: See the Full Winners List". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
  36. "GAFFA-Priset 2016 – och vinnarna är ..." GAFFA (in Swedish). Sweden. September 3, 2019.
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