Since 2012 Anderson Paak has been emanating his seemingly limitless energy into several critically acclaimed projects. As a drummer, a vocalist, songwriter, and dancer, his creative space is constantly vibrating. His artistry is much like his style in that it embodies a spectrum of charisma and ability. By his own account his primary influence is funk but his talent goes far beyond the confinement of genre. Working with living legend Dr. Dre himself could have only been a perfect occurrence, as he has been nothing short of brilliant with each project burning brighter than the last.
The Yes Lawd! mixtape, A collaborative project with producer Knxwledge, saw Paak further emerge not only as a complete artist, but also as a prolific songwriter. Producer Knxledge channels the resonance of the great J Dilla on several songs and adds his own soul inspired beats to the project. The collab project serves as his arrival in a moment of change for music.It joins a list of incredible collaborative projects including Common/Robert Glasper as August Green. Artist/producer albums always conjure a more conjunct blend of creativity and artistry. This is why they always sound so organic. The anticipation of hearing anything crafted by Dr. Dre alone is enough to appreciate enormity of this project. Having already worked together on songs for the Compton album, the angst of having Dre on as executive producer makes this a colossal project for Paak. The album also features production from 9th Wonder and long-time Aftermath producer Mell.
Per Paak’s now signature refrain, Oxnard opens with high energy. Featuring Kadhja Bonet, Paak ups the BPM’s with a soulful 70’s profile on The Chase. What you quickly find out is every song is virtually a fully realized concept which is some of the best I’ve seen this year. The creative glue in Paak's sonic brilliance and his nimble execution between music and culture.The transitions between concepts and the fully realized composition of each track is marvelous.
Paak’s conscious is full of social burden, women, self-realization, but he layers the composition over each concept with no problem. The album never sacrifices any of its momentum to any subject/concept, which is no small task.
Some of the major stand outs include Headlow with Paak in adventures of getting head in the whip It knocks over a cool melody with a nice bounce and finishes in a pretty funny skit.
With 6 Summers Paak laments on the recent senseless shootings from gun violence the current gun control climate. The song’s appeal lies within its execution. In the current trend of multilayered thematic song concept, Paak presents two controversial ideas within the same song, but sounding entirely different.
The first acting almost as an airhorn to the haze of chaos created by the Trump Administration. The second part of the song invokes a smoother approach to murder and gun reform but still manages to maintain aura of the message. This could have been inspired by none other than King Kendrick himself with 2017’s The Heart Part 4 and Duckworth. Kendrick also makes an appearence on the beaming Tints. Paak’s concepts are so well executed and sonically balanced you never feel confined by any single theme or sound.
The anticipated Trippy featuring J Cole brings nostalgia to get the job done. Cole spits a smooth tale of reminiscing and connecting with a real one. Paak adds his longing to reconnect with one he can’t seem to shake off his soul.
Perhaps the jewel of his talent is being a certified sonic lord. His music works at nearly every level from hip-hip to dance, to Oxnard is arguable one of them most complete projects of the year with only about a month left until the new year. Paak made the clutch play and now we’re all just ready for the next vibe.