.Paak offers diversity, ageless style on "Malibu"

There are a few ways to blow up in the music game these days, but none of them are easy. Getting a big Internet following is probably the most organic, as fans tend to find you before you find them. We can’t forget having that one track to get big on social media, which seems to be the most common nowadays. But the best way to get noticed is receiving endorsements from the game’s biggest names.

There are not many figures bigger than Dr. Dre, and being the most used artist on his first album in 15 years is the best endorsement anyone can ask for.

Anderson .Paak (yes, the period is necessary) was the one to receive The Doctor’s treatment and was on six of the 16 tracks on Dr. Dre’s “Compton” album. “Malibu,” .Paak’s second studio album, mixes hip-hop, soul, blues and gospel that showcases his true musicianship and delivers a much needed breath of sea air.

“Malibu” captures its audience early and often. The moment the opening track--“The Bird”-- slowly fades in with wavy guitar strums and solid drumming, .Paak’s raspy voice sets the tone almost instantly as he soulfully croons about his family and childhood.

He’s not afraid to go in depth about his family’s troubles as he mentions growing up alone “in a lonely castle” without much parental guidance and how their issues with alcohol and the law helped keep them away.

Despite many hardships, family is always mentioned as a positive factor in his life. “We never had to want for nothing/ Said all we ever need is love,” he confesses.

Two songs later, BJ the Chicago Kid takes over the vocal duties on “The Waters,” a bass heavy track that propels the artists rather than shining the light on legendary hip-hop beat-maker Madlib.

.Paak demonstrates his rapping ability, which sounds more like open word poetry than simple raps, as he talks about his humble beginnings and his own prediction of success. “I swear I seen this sh*t coming as if I was living up under the plumbing,” he raps while BJ softly sings in the background.

From there, .Paak holds topics on love and happiness in many different ways. The singer, songwriter and drummer has a love/hate relationship with a girl who loves hurting him. And he kind of likes it. He knows the game and constantly goes back, “There I go volunteering, punish me/ self-inflicted pain, sickness over you,” .Paak confesses. Even though he “doesn’t mind the pain,” he battles himself throughout the track on whether he should stay or go.

On “Room in Here” .Paak recruits fellow California natives The Game and Sonyae Elis for a performance that sounds like it was performed in a smoky basement bar where everyone’s smoking cigars and drinking whiskey. Lush piano keys drive this song, and it’s easily the most unique song on the album.

“Silicon Valley” is the most fun song on the album and the sexiest. “I just want to know what’s under that tender titty meat,” .Paak cries out as he desperately tries to read his girl’s heart, which just so happens to be under her garments. This 90’s style slow jam with booming horns gives “Malibu” a great change of pace, even at the tail end of the album.

In a world where Bryson Tiller and Torey Lanez have ruled the radio with their spacious, druggy style R&B that was first coined by Drake, “Malibu” delivers hints of nostalgia while not feeling outdated and old. The album plays like a classic, and Anderson .Paak impresses with his sheer musicianship and artistry on each song.

Dr. Dre is largely responsible for skyrocketing the careers of Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg and now .Paak is the newest member of that very elite list. He seems to already be on the right track.