Brandon Paak Anderson, better known by his stage name
Anderson .Paak, is an American singer, rapper, songwriter, record producer, and
drummer who is worshiped for his eclectically diverse use of R&B, hip-hop,
soul, and funk. He was born on February 8, 1986, in Oxnard, California.
Anderson .Paak has carved out a niche for himself in modern music with his
experimental style and energetic live performances.
Early Life and Background
Anderson .Paak was born to an African-American father and a
mixed African-American and Korean mother. His mother was born in South Korea
during the Korean War to an African-American soldier and a Korean woman. She
was later adopted by an African-American family in Compton, California.
Anderson's childhood was defined by awful adversities. At the age of seven, he
witnessed his father assaulting his mother, and that act put his father behind
bars. In his high school days, his mother was jailed for seven years on charges
of cheating investors. All these troubles hugely influenced his philosophy and
workmanship.
Musical Beginnings
Anderson .Paak's own musical journey began in his family
church where he played the drums.
He produced music in his bedroom and went by the name “alias
Breezy Lovejoy”. He released his first mixtape, "O.B.E. Vol. 1," under
this name in 2012.
To support his emerging music career, he held a part-time
job in various ventures, including working for a marijuana farm in Santa
Barbara. But a loss of employment abruptly left him, his wife, and newborn son
homeless for a time.
Career Breakthrough
In 2014, with the name Anderson .Paak, he dropped his debut
studio album, "Venice." The album received praise for its distinctive
blend of genres and picked up steam in the music industry. He broke through in
2015 when he worked heavily with Dr. Dre on the album "Compton" as a
featured artist on six of the album's tracks. This exposure really raised his
profile and earned him a recording deal with Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment.
Later Albums and Collaborations
In 2016, Anderson .Paak released his second studio album,
"Malibu," which received critical acclaim and had him nominated at a
Grammy Award in the Best Urban Contemporary Album category. The album had songs
like "Come Down" and "Am I Wrong," showing his scope and
level as an artist.
His third album titled "Oxnard," was released in
2018 and this was his debut released under Aftermath Entertainment. The album
featured guest spots by artists such as Kendrick Lamar and included the single
"Tints." He released "Ventura" in 2019, which was awarded
the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album. The album's single "Come
Home," which featured André 3000, also won a Grammy for Best R&B
Performance.
Formation of Silk Sonic
In 2021, Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars came together to form
the duo Silk Sonic.
Their debut release, "Leave the Door Open," was a
gigantic hit, becoming number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The single picked
up four awards at the 64th Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year and Record
of the Year.
Their collaborative album, "An Evening with Silk
Sonic," released subsequently the same year, met with critical praise for
its homage to 1970s R&B and soul.
Personal Life
Anderson .Paak married Jaylyn Chang in 2011, and the couple
had two children. In 2024, they got divorced, according to reports. In late 2024, gossip circulated that singer Anderson .Paak is romantically involved with
singer Mariah Carey.
Net Worth and Business Ventures
As of 2025, Anderson.Paak has a net worth of around $6
million. In addition to music, he has also invested in business ventures, with
interests in several California restaurants such as Andy's, Casita, and Olivia
Restaurant. He has also secured brand endorsements, with a high-profile
endorsement deal with Ray-Ban.
Conclusion
Anderson.Paak's career and existence are a mixture of
persistence, creativity, and talent. His ability to blend various genres of
music has seen him stand out in the music industry. With multiple Grammy Awards
and a legacy for performing high-energy shows, he continues to mold and
influence the next generation of artists.
