‘A transformative body of work’ – Vaughn Lowery
Anderson .Paak releases K-POPS! (Music from and inspired by K-POPS! Motion Picture). More than a simple soundtrack or compilation, the star-studded collection is the first of its kind: an original album that unites multiple K-pop idols, South Korean artists, and other star performers — from different labels, genres, and nationalities — behind a diverse yet cohesive sonic vision. Listen to the 17-song set HERE and watch the just-released music video for standout NMIXX and .Paak collaboration “Caution” HERE.
K-POPS! (Music from and inspired by K-POPS! Motion Picture) is tied to .Paak’s acclaimed family film K-POPS!, his directorial debut, which comes to Netflix on Saturday, May 30. But the album is also a full project unto itself executive produced by Dem Jointz (Jennie, Eminem) and overseen by .Paak, featuring an incredible array of talent including JID, G-DRAGON, aespa, LNGSHOT, NMIXX, DEAN, JO1, CHUNG HA, Alissia, and Kevin Woo (Kpop Demon Hunters’ Mystery Saja), plus JOSHUA of SEVENTEEN, HONGJOONG of ATEEZ, and SOYEON of i-dle. .Paak also appears throughout — writing, producing, performing — and his son Soul Rasheed makes his musical debut.
As Rolling Stone pointed out in a recent in-depth interview with .Paak about the release, “The album is packed with A-list K-pop guest stars … But it’s also full of .Paak’s own vocals, and thoroughly guided by his lush, retro-leaning sensibility, so it ends up being the closest thing to a .Paak solo album since 2019’s Ventura.”
That cross-pollination is on full display in “Caution,” which combines heavy bass, rattling percussion, jagged effects, and sticky melodies to create something akin to a deconstructed mix of pop, hip-hop, and R&B. In the accompanying music video, .Paak and NMIXX play suspiciously chic crime scene investigators, pushing through yellow tape to examine chalk outlines, photograph damaged artwork, run forensics on evidence, and file the appropriate paperwork. But as they work to close the case, one can’t help but wonder if they’re involved.
Ahead of today’s release of K-POPS! (Music from and inspired by K-POPS! Motion Picture), fans were treated to two infectious songs from the set. In early May, .Paak released his single “Aftertaste” featuring Seoul alt-R&B artist DEAN. In February, he and superstar girl group aespa teamed up for the groove-steeped pop explosion “Keychain.” The project also includes a new version of .Paak and G-DRAGON’s 2025 single “Too Bad,” which hit #30 on Billboard’s Global 200 chart and won a MAMA Award at the Asian equivalent of the GRAMMY® Awards.
Set against the backdrop of a fictional, Seoul-based K-pop competition show, K-POPS! explores generational connection and cultural exchange through music, following a father and son whose paths collide in unexpected ways. .Paak wrote and directed the movie, and also stars alongside his real-life son Soul Rasheed. K-POPS! is so far Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, and has earned critical praise and glowing coverage from major entities including Forbes, Variety, Billboard, The Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times, and the NAACP, among others.
.Paak has been on a truly unstoppable run in 2026, ringing in his 40th birthday at his acclaimed West Hollywood restaurant and lounge, Andy’s, in the very same month that he scored his 15th GRAMMY® nomination — Best Dance/Electronic Recording for “No Cap” with Disclosure. He also made a standout appearance at this year’s Met Gala — inspiring an interview with Esquire and a style writeup by GQ — and was recently named among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People of 2026 in the “Artists” category. The honor included a profile written by actress and director Natasha Lyonne, who noted, correctly, “Anderson .Paak is the genuine, multihyphenate article.”
Last month, .Paak also appeared on songs by Argentine duo CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso (“Ay Ay Ay”) and NCT member TAEYONG (“Rock Solid”). He is currently on the road with Bruno Mars’ The Romantic Tour, opening as his party-starting alter-ego DJ Pee .Wee across stadiums in North America and Europe — marking one of his largest global touring runs to date and reuniting the Silk Sonic collaborators. Visit .Paak’s website HERE for his itinerary.
K-POPS! (Music from and inspired by K-POPS! Motion Picture)
1. “Flashing Lights” – Crush & Anderson .Paak
2. “Caution” – NMIXX & Anderson .Paak
3. “Aftertaste (Inspired by the Original Motion Picture K-POPS!)” – DEAN & Anderson .Paak
4. “PITC (Party In The Corner)” – HONGJOONG of ATEEZ, Jay Park & Anderson .Paak
5. “Fire With Fire” – LNGSHOT
6. “Can’t Get Enough” – Alissia & Anderson .Paak
7. “Bet On U” – CHUNG HA & Anderson .Paak
8. “International” – SOYEON of i-dle & Anderson .Paak
9. “What About Us” – JID & Anderson .Paak
10. “Wanna Buy A Plant + Cost Me” – JO1 & Anderson .Paak
11. “Keychain (Inspired by the Original Motion Picture K-POPS!)” – aespa & Anderson .Paak
12. “One More Dance” – JOSHUA of SEVENTEEN & Corbyn Besson
13. “Wildcard” – Kevin Woo
14. “Just One Bite” – Kevin Woo
15. “Too Bad (K-POPS! Version)” – G-DRAGON & Anderson .Paak
16. “Love Is Everywhere “- Soul Rasheed
17. “The Last” – Anderson .Paak
PHOTO CREDIT – COLLIER SCHORR
