Anderson .Paak facts: 18 things you need to know about Dr Dre's protégé

Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars formed a new group,

1. Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars formed a group, Silk Soul, in 2021.

Anderson and Bruno joined forces to a create a collaborative album, ‘An Evening With Silk Sonic’, under the group Silk Soul in 2021. They released their debut single, 'Leave The Door Open', in March that year. Back in 2017, Mars and Anderson toured together when the latter opened for Mars on his 24K Magic world tour. Credit: Getty

2. How old is Anderson .Paak?

Anderson .Paak is 35-years-old. His birthday is 8th February 1986. Picture: Instagram

3. Paak was originally called Breezy Lovejoy.

Before he took the stage name Andersoon .Paak, Brandon Paak Anderson went by the name ‘Breezy Lovejoy.’ He released two albums under the name. ‘O.B.E. Vo. 1’ and ‘Lovejoy,’ both in 2012. Picture: Instagram

4. Before he found fame, Paak use to work on a marijuana farm.

It’s true, Paak got paid working on a pot farm in Santa Barbara - thankfully he began to get recognition for his beats! Picture: Instagram

5. Why does Anderson .Paak have a dot in his name?

If you haven’t noticed, Anderson .Paak stylises his name with a dot before his surname. “The dot stands for detail,” he explains in an interview with NPR. “Always be paying attention to detail... I spent a lot of time working on my craft, developing my style, and after I came out of my little incubation I promised that I would pay attention to detail. And on top of that, I want to make sure that dot is always there to remind me and to remind others.” Picture: Instagram

6. Paak performed on six songs on Dr. Dre's 2015 album 'Compton'

Paak was honoured to be selected to work on Dre’s first album in 16 years. On his time in the studio with Dre, he said in an interview with NPR; "I was just kind of amazed that someone of his stature and success level is still really, really into the music. He had this excitement to him. It seemed like it was new to him, or at least when I came in.” Picture: Instagram

7. Anderson .Paak was once homeless.

Whilst working on a marijuana farm in Santa Barbara, Paak was suddenly let go without any warning. The now-singer fell on hard times as he became homeless with his wife and son. Picture: Instagram

8. When Paak was at his lowest, one man took him in - Shafiq Husayn.

Paak has spoken openly about how Hip Hop band Sa-Ra’s Shafiq Husayn helped him recover after he was let go from the marijuana farm. He offered Paak and his family a place to stay and employed him as an assistant, videographer, editor, writer, and producer. "I didn't even know [Husayn] that well, but he still helped me out when no one would,” Anderson has said of the time. Picture: Getty

9. This year, Paak signed to Dr Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment.

On January 30th, Paak made the announcement via Twitter, with Dre by his side. Picture: Instagram

10. Anderson use to be a drummer for American Idol contestant Haley Reinhart.

Drumming was his first love - his mother bought him a drum kit when he was just 11-years-old and producing, songwriting and singing flowed from there. Picture: Getty

11. What’s Anderson Paak’s ethnic background?

His dad is African-American and his mum was born in South Korea and came over the States when she was adopted in the early 1950s, settling in Compton. His father was in the Air Force, but was sent to prison when Paak was just seven-years-old. He has since passed. Paak’s mother was a farmer and was also sent to prison when Paak was just 17-year-old. She’s now out and works with the elderly. Picture: Instagram

12. Anderson .Paak released his first album ‘Venice’ in 2014.

It was his first album under his new stage name, at least. Picture: Instagram

13. In 2014 Anderson .Paak joined Jhene Aiko on her 'Enter The Void' tour.

Picture: Instagram

14. Anderson .Paak released his second album ‘Malibu’ in 2016.

The album was Paak’s commercial breakthrough. It features appearance’s from Schoolboy Q on the popular ‘Am I Wrong’ and The Game on ‘Room In Here’. Interestingly, ‘Compton’ track ‘Animals’ was originally going to appear on ‘Malibu,’ but Dre copped it for his own record. Picture: Instagram

15. Beyonce is a fan of Anderson Paak.

Following the release of her new song ‘Formation,’ Beyoncé released a ‘Hot Sauce’ playlist that featured Anderson Paak’s ‘The Bird’. It looks like even Queen Bey is a fan! Picture: Instagram