One week ago, NxWorries — Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge — announced the release date for their long-awaited second group album, Why Lawd?, with the music video for “86Sentra.” The album is the follow-up to their 2016 debut, Yes, Lawd!, which became an instant underground classic upon its release. Today, they shared the cover and tracklist, along with features including Dave Chappelle, Earl Sweatshirt, HER, Rae Khalil, Snoop Dogg and his new artist October London, and Thundercat.
From the tracklist, it’s now confirmed that the album will feature the previously released tracks “Where I Go” with HER and “Daydreaming.” On their social media, the duo revealed that the album would be released on vinyl, CD, and limited numbers of cassette tapes, which you can preorder now on the Stones Throw Records web store. There’ll be multiple versions of the vinyl, including one with a special-edition cover designed by Rhymezlikedimez, the animator behind their “86Sentra” video. The cassettes will only be available on June 13.
Why Lawd? is due on June 14 via Stones Throw Records.
Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge are back as NxWorries, announcing their next album, Why Lawd?, for June 7. The album will feature Dave Chappelle, Thundercat, H.E.R., Snoop Dogg, October London, Charlie Wilson, Rae Khalil, and Earl Sweatshirt.
For a while there, it seemed NxWorries fans would never get a follow-up to Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge’s 2016 group debut Yes Lawd!. Although the rapper and producer have been teasing a new album since 2022, the wait felt more like torture with each new single (“Where I Go,” “Daydreaming“) that came without news of the new album.
The wait will finally be over soon, as NxWorries announced the title and release date of their new album along with its latest (first?) single. Why Lawd? will be out on June 7 via Stones Throw. The new single is called “86Sentra” and it does not disappoint. It’s got an animated visualizer depicting the duo cruising in the titular car, a groovy, bass-driven beat, and scintillating, swaggering verses from .Paak in classic rap braggart mode.
The gap between NxWorries albums is understandable, as .Paak has been busy for the past few years, what with dropping the Silk Sonic collaboration with Bruno Mars and popping up on seemingly every artists’ singles. In 2023 alone, he collaborated with Cordae (apparently, on enough songs for a full EP), Shafiq Husayn, Jay Rock, and SiR, in addiiton to starting the ball rolling on a new Free Nationals project AND hosting a podcast, .Paak House Radio. With all that going on, it’s kind of a miracle he had time to get Why Lawd? finished in time for the summer. Thank you Lawd!
Why Lawd? is out 6/7 via Stones Throw Records. Get more info here.
Inglewood singer Sir Daryl Farris — better known mononymously as SiR — has been rolling out his fourth studio album Heavy for the last few weeks, releasing the single “Karma” and even appearing in the NBA’s Celebrity Game for All-Star Weekend. Today, he revealed the cover art and tracklist, which features both his fellow TDE labelmates (Ab-Soul, Isaiah Rashad) and other LA soul veterans (Anderson .Paak, Ty Dolla Sign).
Like labelmate Schoolboy Q, who just dropped his album Blue Lips after a five-year hiatus, SiR is also releasing after a five-year break. His last album, Chasing Summer, came out in 2019 and reached No. 64 on the Billboard 200 chart. It featured appearances from then-labelmate Kendrick Lamar, Lil Wayne, Sabrina Claudio, and Smino, among others, and spawned two singles “Hair Down” and fan favorite “John Redcorn.” The five-year album cycle seems to be a trend for Top Dawg Entertainment, with Ab-Soul and Isaiah Rashad both also putting half a decade between their most recent releases.
Heavy is due on March 22 via TDE and RCA.
SiR’s Heavy Tracklist
1. “Intro”
2. “Ignorant” Feat. Ty Dolla Sign
3. “Karma” Feat. Isaiah Rashad
4. “Heavy”
5. “Six Whole Days”
6. “No Evil”
7. “Poetry In Motion” Feat. Anderson .Paak
8. “I’m Not Perfect” Feat. Ab-Soul
9. “You”
10. “Only Human”
11. “Satisfaction”
12. “Life Is Good” Feat. Scribz Riley
13. “Ricky’s Song”
14. “Nothing Even Matters”
15. “Tryin’ My Hardest”
16. “Brighter”
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Free Nationals have teamed up with frequent collaborator Anderson .Paak, as well as rapper ASAP Rocky, for a scorching new track. Tonight (February 23), the artists have shared “Gangsta,” which amalgamates the signature components of each act, and results in untouchable musical chemistry.
Over a groovy, hypnotic beat, which comes by way of brilliant production by Free Nationals, Rocky taps into a sense of bravado, remembering his father who taught him his gangster ways. .Paak delivers a soulful chorus, somehow making the life of a gangster sound smooth and sweet.
The song’s accompanying video features younger versions of .Paak and Rocky driving through town looking fly, and getting in trouble along the way
It’s been awhile since we’ve gotten new music from any of the three acts. Neither Free Nationals nor .Paak have released an album since 2019, and Rocky hasn’t dropped one since 2018.
But in an interview with Dazed published last fall, Rocky teased his long-awaited fourth album, teasing a more adventurous sound.
“I want to leave expectations wide and open,” Rocky said. “I don’t want to tell you what to expect. I just want people to experience it how they do naturally.”
You can see the “Gangsta” video above.
Anderson .Paak is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Free Nationals, in collaboration with Anderson .Paak and A$AP Rocky, drop their highly anticipated single, “GANG$TA.” The trio of talented artists has a history of successful collaborations, and this latest venture is another stellar addition to their collective repertoire. “GANG$TA” has already sent ripples of anticipation through the fan base. A sneak peek shared on Instagram featured a brief snippet of the track, accompanied by visuals of two young boys. The relaxing instrumental set the tone, offering fans a taste of the new music. The comments section erupted with excitement as fans expressed their anticipation for the collaboration, deeming it a long-awaited union of musical talents.
For A$AP Rocky, this single comes amidst heightened expectations for his upcoming album, aptly titled Don’t Be Dumb. The rapper’s recent feature on Kid Cudi’s 2024 project INSANO, specifically on the track “WOW,” has only intensified the anticipation surrounding his solo work. The collaboration between the Free Nationals, Anderson .Paak, and A$AP Rocky is a convergence of distinct styles and creative energies. Known for their ability to seamlessly blend genres, these artists have each left a mark on the music landscape.
Stream “Gangsta” By Free Nationals Ft. Anderson .Paak And A$AP Rocky
Moreover, as “GANG$TA” makes its debut, fans are in for a treat for the sonic journey that marries the unique talents of these musical powerhouses. The short preview shared on social media not only teased the musical brilliance that awaits listeners but also showcased a visual narrative with the presence of two young boys. This intriguing element has sparked curiosity about the potential storytelling within the full-length release. Fans on social media called the release “special.”
Moreover, the collaboration is not just a song. It’s a testament to the creative synergy that occurs when like-minded artists come together to push the boundaries of musical expression. In fact, “GANG$TA” is the first big release from the four-piece since their self-titled debut. With the Free Nationals, Anderson .Paak, and A$AP Rocky at the helm, “GANG$TA” is a standout track, solidifying its place as a must-listen in the evolving landscape of contemporary music. What do you think of the track? Let us know on HNHH!
Quoteable Lyrics: You know, my daddy was a gangsta And father before him was a damn thug I’ma learn to escape without these handcuffs I ain’t going to court to see no damn judge
Since the world was introduced to Anderson .Paak, the artist has seemingly appreciated his wife at every opportunity. From his Grammy acceptance speech to interviews, the singer has mentioned Jae Lin everywhere. Because of these open shows of love and appreciation, the recent news of Anderson .Paak filing for divorce has rocked fans hard. As far as unexpected celebrity breakups go, this has to be among the most surprising in recent times. The couple has been together for over a decade, and seemed to have a healthy marriage. While their relationship was mostly kept private, nobody expected the challenges within it to lead to divorce. However, something has unfortunately led to the couple’s decision to split. Moreover, Anderson .Paak seems to have moved on to a new flame. Nonetheless, here’s a timeline of his and his Jae Lin’s relationship.
In a 2016 interview on The Breakfast Club, Anderson Paak shared that he met his wife in college. He was initially admitted as a student in the Musicians Institute in Hollywood. However, he unfortunately could not afford the fees and had to drop out very soon after. Fortunately, due to his immense talent, he was offered a job at the institution, and subsequently got employed as a teaching assistant. During his time working there, Anderson met Jae Lin, and they eventually started a relationship. While it remains unknown what year exactly they started dating, the two have been married for about thirteen years.
2011 – 2013: Weathering Storms Together
Sometime in 2011, Anderson .Paak, his wife, and then-infant firstborn, Soul, were rendered homeless. This came after the singer lost his job on a marijuana farm and had no other means of income. Subsequently, as he shared on The Breakfast Club, Anderson and his family couch-surfed and squatted with family and friends for a while. Through it all, the pair stuck by one another until things finally started looking up for them.
2014 – 2020: Better Days, And The Arrival Of A Second Child
Following the release of his debut album in 2014, the “Come Home” singer’s career started to really blossom. Subsequently, in 2017, he and Jae Lin welcomed a second son, Shine. While Anderson .Paak grew prominent in the industry over the years, his wife mostly stayed in the background. Even though she was proud of her husband, Jae Lin did not want the attention of being in the spotlight herself. Nevertheless, Anderson appreciated her on several occasions. One of the most notable instances where he did so was during his Grammy acceptance speech at the 2020 ceremony. Addressing Jae Lin, Anderson said, “I want to thank my beautiful wife, my patient wife. I know you don’t love me ‘cause I’m perfect, but thank you for showing me and my kids the closest thing to it.”
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 15: Anderson .Paak performs on stage at Alexandra Palace on March 15, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Joseph Okpako/WireImage)
In a surprising turn of events, Anderson .Paak has now filed for divorce from his wife of 13 years. According to legal documents obtained by PEOPLE, he is asking for joint physical and legal custody of their sons. Additionally, according to the court filings, Anderson is looking to terminate the court’s authority to grant any spousal support to Jae Lin. The reason for their split remains unknown, but the news of their impending divorce has shocked many fans of the couple.
