Fist review
The year 2016 emerged as one of profound significance in the annals of Anderson .Paak's career, an epoch where his musical genius was not only recognized but celebrated on a global scale. It was a year that began with the unveiling of his magnum opus, Malibu, an album that swiftly transcended the boundaries of genre to etch its place as a critically acclaimed modern classic within the pantheon of hip-hop and R&B. With tracks like "Come Down", "Am I Wrong", and "Put Me Thru", Malibu became a testament to .Paak's multifaceted talents, his ability to weave narratives of personal struggle, triumph, and introspection into a sonic tapestry that resonated with listeners worldwide.
Riding on the crest of Malibu's success, Anderson .Paak, along with his ensemble The Free Nationals, ventured to Washington D.C., where they performed at NPR's Tiny Desk Concert, an event hailed by many as one of the most memorable in the series' history. By the year 2024, this particular performance had amassed such popularity that it stood as the third highest viewed Tiny Desk Concert, only eclipsed by Dua Lipa’s At Home session and the poignant final public performance by Mac Miller. During this intimate showcase, .Paak delivered a trio of selections from Malibu before delighting the audience with a special request, performing "Suede" from his collaboration with Knxwledge under the banner of NxWorries, lightening the mood with his playful query, "So y'all like being called bytches over here?"
Parallel to .Paak's ascendancy, Knxwledge was crafting his own legacy. His first significant release on Stones Throw Records, Hud Dreems, not only marked a personal favorite in my collection but also showcased his prowess in production. His track "So[Rt]" had already made a profound impact, being featured on Kendrick Lamar's seminal work To Pimp a Butterfly on the track "Momma". Furthermore, Knxwledge was deepening his artistic footprint through collaborations, notably with Earl Sweatshirt on the Adult Swim single "Balance", while also hosting the "Stay Inside" radio show on Red Bull Radio, an endeavor that further displayed his eclectic taste and influence in the musical landscape.
The collaborative project NxWorries, comprising .Paak and Knxwledge, had, until that point, only introduced the world to the Link Up & Suede EP, a mere appetizer which was essentially an extended double single, garnished with additional beats from Knxwledge and a remix of .Paak's "Drugs". However, 2016 was destined to conclude with a flourish, as the duo released their full-length debut, Yes Lawd!, under Stones Throw. This album was not only a commercial and critical success but was often likened by aficionados to an R&B version of the legendary Madvillainy due to its groundbreaking fusion of style and substance. Yes Lawd! with its hedonistic, sexually-charged narrative, managed to fit 19 tracks into under 50 minutes, including the previously released "Link Up" and "Suede", alongside other gems like "Best One", "What More Can I Say", "Lyk Dis", and "Get Bigger / Do U Luv". Knxwledge's sampled R&B production meshed seamlessly with .Paak's confident, soulful vocal delivery, imbuing the album with humor, charm, and an undeniable charisma.
The narrative of NxWorries did not end there. The following year saw the release of a remix album by Knxwledge, reimagining and revitalizing the best tracks from Yes Lawd!, giving fans more to savor. Despite this fruitful collaboration, a sequel seemed elusive when in 2018, .Paak humorously remarked, "Knx doesn’t like me rn
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“. However, after resolving their differences (though the precise tweet escapes my memory), NxWorries made a triumphant return in 2020 with "Itkanbe (Sonice)" on Knxwledge's 1988. They also introduced "Where I Go" during 88Rising's Double Happiness livestream, a harbinger of more music to come.
During this period, .Paak embarked on another significant musical venture, forming Silk Sonic with Bruno Mars, which brought his artistry into the limelight of mainstream pop through their smooth soul collaborations. "Where I Go" was officially released in late 2022 with a feature from H.E.R., followed by tantalizing teasers of new music via a hotline playing a lo-fi snippet of "Daydreaming", which would see the light of day in May 2023.
By April 2024, the excitement was palpable with the release of the single "86Sentra", and the announcement of their new album Why Lawd?, scheduled for a June release. This period was also marked by personal change for .Paak, as he announced his divorce from Jaylyn Chang, thus concluding a 13-year marriage. Leading up to the album, they released "FromHere" featuring Snoop Dogg and October London, further stoking anticipation.
Why Lawd? was released in physical format on June 7th, with its digital counterpart becoming available a week later on June 14th, marking yet another chapter in the evolving, enigmatic narrative of Anderson .Paak and his musical partnerships.