He is frequently accompanied by the band Free Nationals, who play a variety of instruments, such as electric guitar, bass, piano, keyboards and drums, and also serve as backing vocalists.

[11] Anderson's mother was born in South Korea during the Korean War[12] to an African American man who is presumed to have been a soldier.

[13] At age seven, Anderson saw his estranged father attack his mother: "My little sister and I went out front and my pops was on top of my mom.

[15] In 2011, prior to being a successful working musician, Anderson became homeless with his wife and infant son after he was dismissed from his job at a marijuana farm in Santa Barbara.

Shafiq Husayn of Sa-Ra and Los Angeles–based rapper Dumbfoundead helped Anderson recover financially from losing his job in Santa Barbara by employing him as an assistant, videographer, editor, writer and producer.

[20] Cover Art reversed the process and transformed folk and rock classics from white musicians into a mold of soul, funk, jazz, left-field pop, hip-hop, and R&B.

[23] On January 30, 2016, Paak spoke with Scott Simon of NPR's Weekend Edition Saturday about his tumultuous background as a child of mixed-race parents, that the "."

In August 2016, Paak performed on NPR Music's Tiny Desk Concert series with his backing band the Free Nationals.

The advertisement was directed by Spike Jonze, featuring FKA Twigs in the video, promoting the Apple HomePod smart speaker.

In an interview with Complex magazine posted on October 10, 2018, Paak revealed that his forthcoming album Oxnard would be released on November 16, 2018.

The album has a heavy funk theme throughout the project and features artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Pusha T, and J. Cole.

[31] Paak released his fourth studio album, Ventura, on April 12, 2019, featuring artists such as André 3000, Smokey Robinson, Brandy, and Nate Dogg, among others.

[35] Also in January 2020, Paak was featured on Eminem's eleventh studio album, titled Music to Be Murdered By, on the track "Lock It Up".

The music video, directed by Dave Meyers, featured appearances from Jay Rock, Dumbfoundead, SiR, Syd, Dominic Fike and other musicians.

On February 26, 2021, Paak and fellow American singer-songwriter Bruno Mars announced they formed a band together called Silk Sonic.

Their debut studio album, An Evening with Silk Sonic, was released on November 12, 2021, and includes a collaboration with Thundercat and Bootsy Collins.

[39] On April 21, 2021, Paak signed a worldwide administrative deal with Warner Chappell Music in partnership with Dr. Dre's Hard Workin' Black Folks publishing company.

On February 13, 2022, Paak was a special guest (on drums) alongside fellow American rapper 50 Cent at the Super Bowl LVI halftime show, which featured performances from fellow American rappers Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and Mary J.

[48] The album received critical acclaim for its fusion of neo-soul, jazz, and hip-hop, continuing the duo’s reputation for creating unique and innovative sounds.

[citation needed] Paak met his wife, Jaylyn Chang, a music student from South Korea,[15] while she was in college.

[54][55] Past performers at the concert include The Game, Jay Rock, Kali Uchis, Jhené Aiko, Ty Dolla Sign, Cordae, Freddie Gibbs, Masego, Thundercat and Schoolboy Q.

[56] As of 2021, the organisation has raised more than half a million dollars and provided over 3,000 families in the Greater Los Angeles area with basic necessities.

[59] In 2025, Anderson .Paak performed at the FireAid benefit concert, a two-venue music-based fundraising initiative set to take place on January 30, 2025.