Anderson .Paak: Oxnard (2LP) [AFTERMATH]

Why you'll love it

This 2LP set gives the 14 songs four sides. Oxnard debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard 200, with guests including Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T, Snoop Dogg, J. Cole and Q-Tip.

This edition

• 2LP set

About the album

Anderson .Paak said this was the album he dreamed of making in high school, back when he had The Blueprint and The College Dropout on repeat. Named after his California hometown, Oxnard closes his beach series after Venice and Malibu, and it is the first record he made for Dr. Dre's Aftermath, with Dre himself as executive producer and mixer. Dre had reportedly been won over by Suede, the 2015 single from .Paak's duo NxWorries with Knxwledge.

Dre's polish is all over it, but .Paak's drumming and raspy voice still lead. "Tints" with Kendrick Lamar is a sunny, funky single, "Who R U?" is all swagger, and "Brother's Keeper" lands a blistering verse from Pusha T. Snoop Dogg cruises through "Anywhere," J. Cole joins him on "Trippy," Q-Tip shows up on "Cheers," and Dre steps up to the mic on "Mansa Musa."

It was his move from cult favourite to the big leagues, and he never lost the groove along the way. Starting in Venice and finishing in Oxnard is, it must be said, a very honest bit of geography.

Also at Kops: more Anderson .Paak on vinyl · browse Hip Hop / R&B

Tracklist

Listen

On Aftermath / 12Tone / OBE, a reissue of the 2018 album.