Anderson .Paak Chats Collaboration, Artistic Reinvention, and Why He Will Never Be Boxed In

There’s no stopping the creative force that is Anderson .Paak. Just this year, the Grammy award-winning artist has released new music with Fred again and his band Free Nationals as well as joining Knxwledge to drop the second NxWorries album. In the fall, he will also head across the U.S. to tour the 2016 album Malibu, giving fans a long-awaited celebration of his most critically acclaimed body of work.

Transcending the boundaries of his creativity has been a key part of the artist’s allure. While he continues to ride a wave of success in his music ventures, he now extends his talent to the filmmaking industry with his debut feature film K-POPS – a comedy-drama directed by .Paak with the help of his son – it delves into themes of family, cultural experiences, and the modern music scene, all of which he has closely valued throughout his career.

Looking back at his compendium of work, it’s clear to see that no matter what the artist turns his hand to, he manages to instill an element of soul and feel-good spirit. Whether it’s his timeless music repertoire or the comedy skits that accompany his tracks, his energy is infectious, and as a result, has attracted countless artists to work with him in various creative collaborations. Regarding them as his “side quests” – such as the Silk Sonic music duo that he formed with Bruno Mars – .Paak believes collaborations are “huge for the progression of music and creating different and unique sounds.”

Later this summer, the artist is set to partner with Jameson Irish Whiskey on a project that embraces this beauty. Titled Distilled Sounds, the global music program aims to unite more than 20 musicians across the globe in one “Sound Distillery” where .Paak will support them in creating new music together. Taking this time out, the artist hopes to inspire other musicians to produce sounds authentically through the power of IRL collaboration.

Ahead of the debut meet-up in Ireland, Hypebeast sits down with Anderson .Paak to find out more about his involvement with Jameson as well as his upcoming tour, music releases, and other ongoing projects.

Hypebeast: Tell us a bit about how the partnership with Jameson has come about. What’s the mission behind Distilled Sounds?

Anderson .Paak: Collaboration is so important to me. From my work with Bruno on Silk Sonic to my new album Why Lawd and my track with Fred again “PLACES TO BE,” I love working with kindred spirits. It’s the reason why I’ve partnered with Jameson on Distilled Sounds – a project that connects people through great music. Together, we’re going to be fusing our passions and connecting artists with global musicians to collaborate and distill new music inspired by culture and community at our Sound Distillery.

In what ways are you planning to work with and educate the artists?

The creativity and energy needed for songwriting are best served face to face, so we’ll bring together artists from across the world to our Sound Distillery in Ireland for a week’s worth of connection, inspiration, and ultimately the creation of new sounds. We’re going to create new sounds that take inspiration from each other’s cultures. Who knows - we may create a new genre!

The Sound Distillery is like nothing I’ve ever done before - I cannot wait to get started. When musicians with diverse tastes, skills, and backgrounds come together, it can spark an exciting exchange of unique perspectives and ideas.

Why is creative collaboration with artists, songwriters, and producers important to stay thriving in the modern music scene?

I think it’s good to tap into other like-minded people that you feel like you can create something special with and get inspiration from. It’s a bunch of energy coming together. Collaboration should not just be: take take take, you need to give something and get something from it to fill you up. Everyone needs inspiration sometimes. I think that’s how new sounds are developed and new scenes are cultivated. Creative collaboration is huge for the progression of music and creating different and unique sounds – t’s a way for people to learn about culture and how to honor their history.

What do you look for in artists when you’re working with them?

I look for drive, ambition, fire. I like artists who are obsessed with their work and people who make no compromises for their creative expression. People who are digging and trying to find something. There are all different kinds of styles and ways they can express that but that’s the main thing that I look for in collaborators.

Ireland is the birthplace of Jameson and whiskey. What do you love most about the country? Have you spent much time there? If so, what are your recommendations?

I’ve been there a few times and it’s a beautiful country. When I went to the Jameson distillery, it was really interesting to learn about the whole process that goes into the making of a bottle of Jameson. There’s a lot of work and lots of different steps so it was cool to go to the place and see where the product is made. My recommendation is to go check out the distillery!

From an upcoming tour to the premiere of your film K-POPS, you have a busy few months ahead. What are you most excited about and why?

I’m really excited about the premiere of my movie K-POPS. I’ve been working on it for about three years, and even now, I’m still working on it. To be able to make a movie with my son is an experience I’ll never forget. I’m proud of the cast that I pulled together and what we did. I’m also really honored to have been accepted into a film festival with so much prestige and where a lot of great movies are premiered.

Eight years on from the release of Malibu, you’re now touring across the U.S. Why have you chosen this album to tour with? And, what can we expect from it?

I feel like I’ve been doing so many side quests with DJ Pee .Wee, NxWorries, and Silk Sonic, so I wanted to give the fans a gift for being loyal to Anderson .Paak and perform an album that’s special to all of us. It’s an album that changed everything for us and there’s no greater time than now to tour it.

Your music career has become incredibly multi-faceted since your early releases. How has reinvention contributed to your success?

It keeps me from becoming too comfortable and keeps the fans excited to go on a journey with me. Revisiting my creative identity also opens up new portals to express my artistry which prevents me from being boxed in and keeps me on my toes. I’m able to stay a learn-it-all as opposed to becoming a know-it-all. More importantly, it keeps me having fun. If it’s not fun, it’s going to feel like a job and I won’t want to do it – that can be depressing. Reinvention is like a new start, which means a new chapter, a new journey, and making something out of nothing. I just love that feeling.

Touching on your latest NxWorries album Why Lawd. What was the inspiration behind the 19-track body of work?

Life was the inspiration. I was at a really good time in my life after Silk Sonic and touring which allowed me to focus on this album. Going back to one of my favorite collaborators, Knxwledge, who I do some of my best work with reminded me that I love working on albums with him because it’s just one producer and one sound. I’m able to craft something so unique and different but still cohesive with him.

It had been years since we put out the first album, and we had planned on doing another one. I had a lot to talk about, and Knxwledge did too. We each had a lot of experiences since our first album and I felt like we got to put it all on this new one. It’s made me proud of our sound and evolution.

How did you come to work with Dave Chappelle for the opening track?

I was on tour with Dave Chappelle in Texas, opening up as DJ Pee .Wee, and we did about five sold-out arena shows together. But, before that, we had been friends for years. He has been one of my favorite comedians, artists, and humans for years and I’m honored to be able to call him a friend. He’s someone who I think is such a master of his craft. My driver Andre was actually in the car listening to the album one day and said, “You know what? You should put Dave on this!” And, I replied, “Wait, that's the stupidest idea I’ve ever heard in my life,” but I was only mad because I didn’t think of it! I hit up Dave, and the next thing you know, he was sending me back a voice memo. Dave said, “Anderson, I owe you one man, anything you need man,” so figured I would use that one favor. I think that was one of the last features we were able to get and then we sent in the album. It was perfect.

How important is it for you to stay tapped into exciting new music being created?

These days there's so much music that you constantly have to be searching. Thankfully, I have a lot of friends and people around and have built a good network of people who are always trying to put me on to new music. A lot of time stuff also falls into my lap when I’m checking out someone else. I think it’s great for inspiration, for the brain, and for what you want to do as an artist. If you are a writer or a creative, study up on music of the past or other forms of media, and try to create something that you have inside of you that won’t let you sleep.

Stay tuned to Hypebeast to find out more about Anderson .Paak’s partnership with Jameson.

Be sure to head to Jameson’s website now to explore the Distilled Sounds project.

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Anderson .Paak Chats Collaboration, Artistic Reinvention, and Why He Will Never Be Boxed In

Anderson .Paak Chats Collaboration, Artistic Reinvention, and Why He Will Never Be Boxed In

Anderson .Paak Chats Collaboration, Artistic Reinvention, and Why He Will Never Be Boxed In

Anderson .Paak Chats Collaboration, Artistic Reinvention, and Why He Will Never Be Boxed In

Anderson .Paak Chats Collaboration, Artistic Reinvention, and Why He Will Never Be Boxed In