Anderson .Paak fans across the globe can go ahead and let out a collective “Yes Lawd!” Just minutes ago, and nearly two years removed from the release of his celebrated sophomore effort, the multi-faceted musician has officially delivered his third solo album (and Aftermath Entertainment debut) titled Oxnard.
This much anticipated follow up to the Grammy-nominated Malibu is a momentous juncture in the career of the 32-year-old .Paak. After years of grinding in the Los Angeles music scene under the moniker Breezy Lovejoy and releasing his first solo album, 2014’s Venice under his current title, it was a combination of resolve and coincidence that led him to being enlisted by Dr. Dre to have a hand in the creation of Dre’s 2015 release Compton. Shining bright in that arena and practically finished with Malibu already at that point, .Paak completed the 16-song independent gem and brilliantly released it in the midst of the wave of musical momentum he was riding. Instantaneously adored by the masses once on that stage, .Paak’s stock skyrocketed and led to his incredible abilities and larger than life personality being coveted by peers and fans alike.
Over the last two years since the release and acclaim of Malibu, .Paak has released the silky smooth Yes Lawd! under the title of NxWorries, a collaborative R&B effort with L.A.-based producer Knxwledge. That celebrated release arrived on Peanut Butter Wolf’s Stones Throw Records, a longtime home to Madlib. This transpired along with being recruited to work alongside the likes of A Tribe Called Quest, Chance The Rapper, Mac Miller, and Rapsody among countless others.
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Q-Tip, who piloted a versatility akin to Anderson’s in the last 30 years, appears on “Cheers.” Q-Tip and Dr. Dre co-produced the funky song (along with Focus…). In the opening verse, Anderson mourns his collaborator, Mac Miller, while talking about where he’s at and where he’s trying to go, mentally and emotionally. Q-Tip closes the song out with a verse that speaks to Phife. “These pictures I’m seeing are f*ckin’ me up and / And I don’t know what to do but reminisce and face the pain / And back in the day / Before you were Dawg and you were just pup / Bangin’ beats and bringin’ b*tches back to the tour bus,” he raps before apologizing. “So sick of sendin’ flowers to all of my brothers’ mamas / Don’t know what’s harder, fightin’ the trauma or keepin’ the promise.” Tip seemingly addresses his solo pursuits while mourning the chemistry of A Tribe Called Quest. “I know what it means to lose everything when you made it,” he declares. Whether Mac or Phife, this song is about honoring fallen brothers.
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At this point, Anderson .Paak’s climb to super stardom is approaching its peak and Oxnard is the flag in-hand ready to be planted and proudly flown.