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Anderson .Paak Once Got Wasted At Rick Ross’s Estate

Despite feeling the impact of the “Lockdown” like everyone else, Anderson .Paak is still managing to make the best of his year. As you might remember, the Aftermath artist dropped off a collaboration with Rick Ross called “Cut Em In,” which recently earned some appropriately lavish visuals. And though the pair connected on wax prior to the clip’s release, Paak reveals that he first met Rick Ross on the video set — an introduction that soon led to some amusing antics.

Anderson .Paak

Mike Coppola/Getty Images

“When it came time to do the video, that was the first time I ever met him face to face,” explains Anderson, speaking with Zane Lowe on Apple Music. “Super cool estate, eight-plus hours on the video set. Then after the next day we went and gave us a full tour of his house, drinking Belaire until, I mean, I got so drunk, man. They had to drag me out of there, dude. I wanted to stay all week, but man, this dude is a cool cat bro. One of the coolest cats in the industry, man. That’s why he’s been around for so long and has a connection to everybody. It’s like them cats like that.”

On a musical note, Paak also takes a moment to reflect on one of his biggest influences — the legendary producer Dilla, who still feels underappreciated in today’s climate. “I was a late learner to Dilla and that whole scene,” explains Paak. “When I was coming up, I was really heavy into the 2000s era and that kind of just went over my head. When I was in high school, it was all about Jay-Z, Nelly, Ludacris, and Missy. And then when I got older and got into Dilla, it was like that’s all I wanted to listen to.”

“And then you start seeing the effect of his music and how it has on people,” he continues. “And just infectious grooves, it’s hard to find groove-based music in new music now, people that are really making groove-based music. And that’s what I feel like we’re making and we’re a part of that lineage in hip hop…he’s definitely one of my icons and someone I really look up to.”

Are you excited to see what Anderson .Paak has been cooking up on a musical level?

[via Zane Lowe on Apple Music]

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Kieran James Honors Memory with “Part of the Grind”

Singer-songwriter Kieran James delivers a devastating new single with “Part of the Grind,” a track to tackle the tangled emotions behind loss and memory. A love letter penned to a close friend who faced severe cognitive decline, the song’s emotional heft feels universal yet heartbreakingly personal.

Set to delicate instrumentation and achingly sung vocals, “Part of the Grind” is both a lament and an honoring, a means of remembering while addressing the unavoidable cost of time and illness. His voice floats, leaving room for silence and the long pauses that so often come with grief. But in that silence, there is warmth as well, a refusal to let memory be totally extinguished.

Resilience is also implied in the song’s title, a reminder that even in heartbreak, life goes on and holding the memory of someone stays with the rhythm of everyday living. it’s an anthem for anyone who has ever looked on witnessing decline, mixed sorrow with love.

In Kieran James’s “Part of the Grind,” we hear music as well as go behind it. He gives us room feel, to mourn, and to honor. In the process, he turns private pain into something achingly universal, a song for everyone who has either loved or lost.

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Esthy glows up with joy on new anthem “light it up”

In her latest song, “light it up,” singer-songwriter and producer Esthy from LA brings a vibrant and uplifting vibe that feels like sunshine in musical form. By mixing elements of playful country with polished pop sounds, she creates a track that’s all about having fun and enjoying life.

Esthy’s singing truly shines, showcasing a lively and confident style. There’s a playful tone in her voice that makes the lyrics feel friendly and inviting, encouraging you to set aside your worries and immerse yourself in the moment.

“light it up” radiates energy and is lively and bright, featuring catchy guitar riffs and upbeat rhythms that draw you in right away. If you enjoy artists like Anne-Marie or OneRepublic, you’ll love this song, and Esthy adds her unique flair, making it special and memorable.

Esthy has a talent for creating catchy melodies, and with this one, you’ll find yourself humming throughout your day. Esthy is here to spread joy, inspire energy, and make music that connects with you instantly. This track is designed to remind you of your true unstoppable nature, and Esthy lights it up.

CLICK HERE TO STREAM Esthy’s “lights it up” on Spotify.
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