Anderson .Paak is one of the most phenomenal and charismatic talents in the music world.
After being discovered by Dr. Dre (via “Suede“) and subsequently starring on the legendary producer’s first project in 16 years, COMPTON, the Oxnard, California native released his Nxworries project with producer Knxwledge, an EP with Blended Babies and then his second full-length LP under the pseudonym, MALIBU — a follow-up to the bombastic and melodic VENICE.
My first discovery of .Paak was through my friend Ryan. After lackadaisically ignoring his attempts to get me to to listen to an artist named “Breezy Lovejoy,” I unknowingly caved later down the road when he played me “Luh You” off Venice. This was one of 16 songs on a project all about falling in love with a city and its people (even if it’s only for a night) amidst drug use and his occasional inglorious-yet-somehow-charming feelings toward women.
To most, Anderson .Paak came out of nowhere. But for people like Ryan and a fortunate group of others, he’s been a talent to keep an eye on for years.
Today, we look back at .Paak’s Breezy Lovejoy persona.
“BOB JAMES”
BREEZY LOVEJOY
This was the first song on Breezy’s O.B.E. Vol. 1 (2012)—the second project .Paak dropped as Breezy—and it later landed on The Cafeteria Line’s compilation album, HNGRY. (Shouts to TiRON & Ayomari.) Released a little under four years ago, “Bob James” places the traits newer fans have gravitated toward on full display—endless charm, boasting melodies, and ridiculous swagger.
O.B.E. (Out of Body Experience) follows a loose story of a man falling in love with a woman, before eventually being betrayed. Seeing the confidence and personality from “Bob James” diminish over the course of the first project is, as we’ve come to expect, thoroughly entertaining.
Cop O.B.E., Vol. 1 on Bandcamp.
“WINE”
DUMBFOUNDEAD ft. BREEZY LOVEJOY & WAX
In 2011, before O.B.E., Breezy linked up with Los Angeles emcee Dumbfoundead for a few songs—”Cell Phone,” “B*tch,” and “No More Sunny Days”—off his DFD album.
The chemistry was too good to ignore, so the duo reconnected on “Body High” the following year, before lacing three more tracks for Dumbfoundead’s Take The Stars LP.
On top of “Drinking Alone” and “F*ck It” with MURS, Breezy appeared alongside Maryland-bred emcee Wax on “Wine.” The song shares the tale of the trio’s interaction with a little PYT: A 19-year-old who was painted as a baddie, but was far “too young to drink the wine.”
Hooks have been one of Anderson’s strong suits, and “Wine” was in the first handful to reach the masses. Simple and stern. The moral: don’t mess with her if you’ve gotta double-check the ID.
Cop Dumbfoundead’s Take The Stares on iTunes.
“GIRLS BF”
BREEZY LOVEJOY
One thing you need to know, Breezy was as confident back then as he is today—while Venice and Malibu continue to spread like wildfire. With little to no tangible success back in 2010, he was still full of bravado on his Violets Are Blue EP.
“Girls BF” is the closer on the three-song project and Breezy’s playboy-ish ways are at the forefront, as he battles the urge to cheat on his lady with her best friend.
Cop Violets Are Blue on iTunes.
“MS. PARKER”
BREEZY LOVEJOY ft. DUMBFOUNDEAD
I told you Breezy and Dumbfoundead had chemistry, right? After trading guest appearances on DFD, O.B.E. and Take the Stares, the two got together once more on Breezy’s LOVEJOY project.
Rocking the same vibe heard on “Wine,” “Ms. Parker” is a standout on LOVEJOY. And looking back, this was one of the first signals of the general direction .Paak was heading artistically. Bass-heavy production with vivid imagery of his hometown, the jam was a perfect setup for Venice—which arrived two years later.
Cop LOVEJOY on Bandcamp.
“HOLD THE LINE (TOTO COVER)”
BREEZY LOVEJOY ft. RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ
PRODUCED BY VICKY “FAREWELL” NGUYEN
The transformation from Breezy Lovejoy to Anderson .Paak shines brightest on Cover Art.
Motivated to counteract the “race records” from the 1950s, where white artists would take styles from black artists and makes songs of their own (i.e., Rock & Roll), the Cali crooner decided to flip the concept on its head and send the artistry back across the aisle. With stripped down vocals and built up jazz, soul and R&B vibes, he provided vibrant and modern twists on past classics from The Beatles (“Blackbird”), The White Stripes (“Seven Nation Army), the Yeah Yeah Yeahs (“Maps”), Neil Young, and others.
Released in 2013, the six-track offering came to an end with Toto’s “Hold The Line,” where .Paak—alongside Raquel Rodriguez—turned the 70’s rock ballad into a soft, spirited and soulful experience.
I’m usually not a fan of covers (let alone a project full of them), as they usually trend toward safe and consistent rather than original and eye-opening. But that’s why Breezy Lovejoy Anderson .Paak is one of the most talented and promising musicians in music today.
Cop Cover Art on Bandcamp.
