Anderson .Paak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Anderson .Paak
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Anderson in 2024
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Brandon Paak Anderson |
| Also known as |
|
| Born | February 8, 1986 Oxnard, California, U.S. |
| Education | Foothill Technology High School |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Instruments |
|
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Labels |
|
Brandon Paak Anderson (born February 8, 1986), known professionally as Anderson .Paak (pronounced PACK or PAHK), is an American R&B singer, rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He started his music journey by releasing his first mixtape, O.B.E. Vol. 1, in 2012. His first album, Venice, came out in 2014.
In 2016, he released his second album, Malibu, which was nominated for a Grammy Award. He then released Oxnard in 2018. Anderson .Paak won his first Grammy Award in 2019 for his song "Bubblin". He won two more Grammys in 2020 for his album Ventura and the song "Come Home".
Besides his solo work, Anderson .Paak is part of two popular music duos. In 2015, he formed NxWorries with producer Knxwledge. In 2021, he teamed up with Bruno Mars to create Silk Sonic. Their song "Leave the Door Open" became a number one hit and won four Grammy Awards in 2022, including Song of the Year.
Contents
Early Life and Background
Brandon Paak Anderson was born on February 8, 1986, in Oxnard, California. His background is a mix of African American and Korean heritage. His mother was born in South Korea during the Korean War and was later adopted by an American family.
Anderson .Paak faced some difficult times growing up. When he was seven, his family experienced a challenging event involving his parents. Later, during his senior year of high school, his mother faced legal issues related to her business. These experiences shaped his early life.
Starting His Music Journey
Anderson .Paak began making music in his bedroom when he was a teenager. He also played drums at his family's church, which was his first experience performing.
In 2011, before he became a successful musician, Anderson .Paak went through a tough period. He became homeless with his wife and young son after losing his job. During this time, he used the stage name Breezy Lovejoy.
Finding His Way in Los Angeles
In 2011, Anderson .Paak started to gain recognition in the Los Angeles music scene. Friends helped him get back on his feet by giving him work as an assistant and videographer. He released his first mixtape, O.B.E. Vol. 1, in June 2012. After this, he changed his stage name to Anderson .Paak. He says the "dot" in his name stands for "detail," meaning it's important to pay attention to the small things.
In 2013, Paak released Cover Art, an EP of cover songs. He took classic folk and rock songs by white artists and remade them into soul, funk, and hip-hop styles. He also worked as a lead producer for Watsky's 2014 album All You Can Do.
Rising to Fame
On October 28, 2014, Anderson .Paak released his first official album, Venice. His talent caught the attention of famous rapper and producer Dr. Dre. Paak was featured on six songs on Dr. Dre's 2015 album Compton.
In January 2016, he released his second album, Malibu. This album was highly praised by critics and helped him become even more well-known. Soon after, he signed with Dr. Dre's record label, Aftermath Entertainment. In 2016, XXL magazine named him one of the top new hip-hop artists.
In August 2016, Anderson .Paak and his band, the Free Nationals, performed on NPR Music's Tiny Desk Concert series. This performance became one of the most popular in the series' history.
New Albums and Grammy Wins
In 2018, Anderson .Paak released his single "Til It's Over," which was featured in an Apple Inc TV commercial. His song "Bubblin" was also included in the Madden NFL 19 video game.
His third studio album, Oxnard, came out on November 16, 2018. Dr. Dre was the executive producer for this album, which was a tribute to Paak's hometown in California. It featured many famous artists like Kendrick Lamar and Snoop Dogg.
On April 12, 2019, Paak released his fourth studio album, Ventura. This album also had Dr. Dre as an executive producer and featured artists like André 3000 and Smokey Robinson. Ventura focused more on personal stories and brought back the smooth R&B and funk rap style that fans loved from his Malibu album.
Collaborations and Recent Work
In January 2020, Anderson .Paak was featured on Eminem's album Music to Be Murdered By. He also released the song "Lockdown" in June 2020, which had a music video featuring many other musicians.
Silk Sonic Success
A big moment in his career came on February 26, 2021, when he and fellow singer-songwriter Bruno Mars announced they had formed a new band called Silk Sonic. Their first album, An Evening with Silk Sonic, was released on November 12, 2021.
Their debut single, "Leave the Door Open", became a huge hit, reaching number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. At the 2022 Grammy Awards, "Leave the Door Open" won four Grammys, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
In November 2021, Anderson .Paak also started his own record label called Apeshit Inc. He also worked with Dr. Dre on music for the video game Grand Theft Auto Online, which came out in December 2021. In February 2022, he was a special guest drummer at the Super Bowl LVI halftime show, performing with artists like Dr. Dre and Eminem.
Recent Projects
In 2023, Anderson .Paak announced his fifth album, Justice. In January 2024, he went through a personal life change, filing for divorce from his wife, Jae Lin Chang.
Despite personal challenges, he continued to create music. On June 7, 2024, his duo NxWorries (with Knxwledge) released their second album, Why Lawd?. This album was praised for its mix of neo-soul, jazz, and hip-hop. In May 2025, he collaborated with the champagne brand Dom Pérignon for a special campaign.
Personal Life
Anderson .Paak met his wife, Jae Lin Chang, when she was a music student in South Korea. They had two sons together. In January 2024, after thirteen years of marriage, Anderson .Paak filed for divorce.
He has some interesting tattoos. One on his chest shows famous musicians like Stevie Wonder and Prince. Another tattoo on his arm has a message: "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." This shows how much he cares about his music being presented exactly as he intends.
Giving Back to the Community
In 2016, Anderson .Paak started The Brandon Anderson Foundation. This nonprofit organization helps support and uplift the community by providing access to arts, extra education, and unique experiences.
In December 2017, he launched .Paak House, an annual benefit concert. This concert raises money for his foundation. Many famous artists have performed at .Paak House, including The Game and Jhené Aiko. As of 2021, the organization has raised over half a million dollars and helped more than 3,000 families in the Greater Los Angeles area. The May 2023 event was held in Ventura. In January 2025, Anderson .Paak performed at the FireAid benefit concert, which raised money through music.
Discography
Studio Albums
- Venice (2014)
- Malibu (2016)
- Oxnard (2018)
- Ventura (2019)
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)
Tours
Headlining Tours
- Andy's Beach Club (with Free Nationals) (2019)
- The Best Teef In the Game Tour (with Free Nationals) (2020)
- An Evening with Silk Sonic at Park MGM (with Bruno Mars as Silk Sonic) (2022)
Supporting Tours
- Wintervention Tour (Wax & Dumbfoundead) (2013)
- Enter The Void Tour (Jhené Aiko) (2014)
- All You Can Do Tour (Watsky) (2014)
- 24K Magic World Tour (Bruno Mars) (2017)
- 2022 Global Stadium Tour (Red Hot Chili Peppers) (2022)
Awards and Nominations
Anderson .Paak has won several awards for his music. Here are some of his notable achievements:
- Grammy Awards:
* 2019: Won Best Rap Performance for "Bubblin". * 2020: Won Best R&B Album for Ventura and Best R&B Performance for "Come Home". * 2021: Won Best Melodic Rap Performance for "Lockdown". * 2022: With Silk Sonic, won Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best R&B Performance, and Best R&B Song for "Leave the Door Open". * 2025: With NxWorries, won Best Progressive R&B Album for Why Lawd?.
- Soul Train Music Awards:
* 2016: Won the Centric Certified Award.
- MTV Video Music Awards:
* 2021: With Silk Sonic, won Best R&B and Best Editing for "Leave the Door Open".
See also
In Spanish: Anderson Paak para niños
