Inside Anderson .Paak’s K-Pop Album: ‘This is More Than a Soundtrack’

Anderson .Paak’s K-Pops! (Music from and inspired by K-Pops! Motion Picture), arriving May 29, began as a companion project to his directorial debut, K-Pops!, which hits Netflix on May 30. The album serves as a vibrant, star-studded tribute to the South Korean idol industry, featuring an impressive roster of collaborators including aespa, NMIXX, Joshua of Seventeen, Soyeon of (G)I-DLE, Hongjoong of ATEEZ, JO1, G-Dragon, Jay Park, Chung Ha, Lngshot, Crush, and Dean.

Beyond the guest list, the project is deeply rooted in Paak’s own lush, retro-leaning musical sensibility. It stands as his most significant solo-leaning effort since 2019’s Ventura. Currently on the road with Bruno Mars, where he balances his role as DJ Pee .Wee with his performance in the Silk Sonic segment, Paak sat down to discuss the creative process behind the album, the future of his partnership with Mars, and working with his son, Soul Rasheed.

A Collision of Worlds

For Paak, the album was an opportunity to bridge the gap between his own sound and the K-pop landscape. Working alongside producer Dem Jointz, he sought to create a canvas that allowed these artists to explore sounds outside their usual comfort zones. “I wanted to bring these K-pop bands and artists into my world,” Paak explains. “It was very much an Anderson .Paak album, if you will, in the K-pop world.”

He acknowledges the historical context of the genre, noting that K-pop is fundamentally built upon Black American music. “It’s about respecting the culture and the music and paying homage as well,” he says. Navigating the logistics of bringing together artists from competing labels was a challenge, but Paak credits the strength of the film’s vision for getting everyone on board.

Family and Future Projects

A highlight of the project was collaborating with his son, Soul Rasheed. “It was dope to be able to work with my son in the studio,” Paak shares. “He has a beautiful singing voice that I hope he uses more.” The track “Love Is Everywhere” provided the perfect vehicle for their collaboration, blending seamlessly with the film’s themes.

Looking ahead, Paak remains focused on his multifaceted career. While he is currently enjoying the success of his tour with Bruno Mars, he confirms that another Silk Sonic album is “always in the cards.” As for his own solo work, he promises that new material is in the works, though he is taking his time to ensure it receives the proper space it deserves. “I can’t stay still for too long,” he says. “There’s always going to be something.”