An eight-year gap between their first collaboration, Anderson .Paak and producer Knxwledge have once again joined forces as NxWorries to make an album, creating another relaxing soundscape.
NxWorries Being More Than a Typical Rapper-Producer Duo
Being their first album since the 2016 release of “Yes Lawd!”, which included standout tracks like “Suede”, “Lyk Dis”, and “Livvin”, the duo of NxWorries has gotten up to a lot.
Anderson .Paak has been the more mainstream of the two. He has won an astounding eight Grammys, including a sweep for his most recent departure from rap and R&B into more soul and pop elements with his collaboration with Bruno Mars on Silk Sonic.
Paak has truly made a name for himself as a multi-instrumental and complex music artist, becoming one of the most recognizable artists in the rap and R&B field.
Knxwledge may not have reached the same heights as Paak, but he remains as one of the most respected producers in the rap game.
His career has been going on for over 12 years since the release of his debut album, “Klouds”, in 2010. He reached a high point with his album “Hud Dreams”, as the 26-song tracklist is littered with his simple but exuberant beats.
He has worked with huge artists like Joey Bada$$, Quelle Chris, Kendrick Lamar, and Mach Hommy, who has also released a perfectly crafted album this year.
Both of them love to work together, as they showcase their true understanding of each other’s styles, in NxWorries’ most recent album, “Why Lawd?”.
Knxwledge Nailing the Production
Even though Paak may be the one singing and rapping all over this record, Knxwledge’s cunning production across the board needs to be discussed.
There is nothing ever surprising about the production on NxWorries’ records, but that is not a bad way. No one should expect hard beats and in-your-face mixing from Knxwledge, as he finds his true comfort in a simple kick and drum, some feint guitars in the background, and a bass moving the song along.
“86Sentra” is the first full track in the album, and Knxledge gets it perfectly. At a short 1:36 runtime, the moving synth, crisp crack of the snare, and dry hi-hat encapsulate the listener immediately.
“SheUsed” stands out not for its simplicity, but rather the drastic change it makes. When Knxwledge gets experimental for NxWorries, only good things are bound to happen, and the trumpets, low trombones, and the pitched-up voice of Paak create an intoxicating atmosphere.
NxWorries changes it up and has features, adding to the layered and clean production. Big artists featured included the vibey Thundercat, the well-established H.E.R., and the ex-Odd Future starlet himself, Earl Sweatshirt.
The features that stand out the most exist on the same song, being both the emerging October London and legendary Snoop Dogg on “FromHere”. London comes in the background with his seriously impressive soaring high-pitched vocals that brings a new life to the track. Snoop Dogg closes out the track with his signature soothing flow and tone, creating a truly all-encompassing track.
Being the one delivering most of the bars and vocals in NxWorries, Paak’s iconic grainy and ad-libs really find a home in Knxledge’s production.
Anderson .Paak Never Missing on Vocals
Paak effortlessly switches from spitting bars to serenading the listener constantly, like on the track “Where I Go”. He understands to keep the same laidback tone on the track when bouncing back and forth, with his own vocal layers making his sound even richer and fuller.
On “HereIAm”, Paak perfectly flows over an old-timey organ, swallowing his own anger for his partner and self by living in the groove. Themes of lost love, wanting second chances, and being able to forgive all over the album, and Paak is the perfect man to deliver the messages.
NxWorries, despite the eight-year gap, has not skipped a single beat. From the forever perfect delivery form Paak to the extremely clean production from Knxwledge, it is no wonder how much they love working with each other, and just like the cover, seeing each other as true GOATs of the rap industry.
