Two musicians stand on a stage facing a large festival crowd, one giving a peace sign. Bold text reads: “NxWorries (Anderson .Paak & Knxwledge).” Festival tents and trees are visible in the background.

A Dx Nxt Miss Experience: NxWorries

NxWorries is the electrifying duo composed of Grammy-winning vocalist and drummer Anderson .Paak and acclaimed producer, Knxwledge. Together, they form a seamless partnership that fuses soul, hip-hop, R&B, and funk into a timeless, genre-blurring experience. Since their inception, the pair has created a sound that’s not only nostalgic and groovy but deeply innovative. For fans of laid-back rhythms and textured, sample-heavy beats, NxWorries is a masterclass in musical synergy.

Two men celebrate at a lively event; one in a bright green cap and glasses laughing, the other in a red suit, large black furry hat, and scarf, sprays champagne joyfully, with colourful lights and smoke in the background.

NxWorries began in 2015 under the Stones Throw Records label, when the two artists, already gaining individual traction, decided to collaborate. Knxwledge, known for his prolific output on Bandcamp and his dusty, chopped-up beat tapes, had been on the radar for years. Meanwhile, Anderson .Paak was quickly becoming one of the most distinct voices in modern R&B and rap, celebrated for his raspy vocals, dynamic live drumming, and magnetic charisma.

Their debut EP Link Up & Suede marked an immediate impact. The standout single, “Suede” garnered over a million streams within weeks and caught the attention of Dr. Dre, leading to .Paak’s appearance on six tracks of Dr. Dre’s 2015 album Compton. That momentum carried over to NxWorries’ full-length debut Yes Lawd!, released in 2016. The record is a vibrant mosaic of grooves, samples, and storytelling;  19-track journey full of humour, vulnerability, swagger and soul. It debuted at number three on Billboard’s Top R&B / Hip-Hop albums chart and received critical acclaim for its creativity and cohesion. 

The velvety grit of Anderson .Paak’s delivery, equal parts croon and rap, is layered over Knxwledge’s lo-fi yet luxuriously textured production. The duo thrives in the margins, crafting tracks that feel spontaneous yet deliberate, retro while remaining  contemporary. Their songs often explore themes of love, ego, heartbreak, and indulgence, told through clever turns of phrase and infectious hooks. For many, NxWorries represents a rare authenticity in an era of hyper-polished pop. 

Over the years, both artists have collaborated with a wide array of notable musicians. Anderson .Paak, in particular, has worked with Bruno Mars as part of the chart-topping project Silk Sonic, earning multiple Grammy Awards in the process, including Record of the Year and Best R&B Performance. He has also collaborated with artists like Kendrick Lamar, Dr. Dre, Eminem, and Thundercat. Knxwledge, on the other hand, has built a dedicated following for his solo work and production contributions to artists such as Earl Sweatshirt, Joey Bada$$, and Action Bronson. His beat tape series WT.PRT and Hud Dreems cemented his reputation as a sample-slinging savant. 

NxWorries’ return in 2024 with their long-awaited sophomore album Why Lawd?, reignited excitement among fans and critics alike. The project features contributions from artists such as H.E.R., Snoop Dogg, Thundercat, and October London, further solidifying the duo’s reputation for assembling genre-defying collaborators. The album builds on their earlier work but expands sonically and emotionally, offering richer vibes and a more sophisticated songwriting aspect. 

Two performers pose on stage facing a cheering, packed audience in a theater with balcony seating. The performer on the left wears casual clothes, the one on the right wears a bright pink suit. Stage lights shine overhead.

NxWorries delivers more than just a performance–they create atmosphere. Rifflandians can expect a set that grooves effortlessly from slow jams to uptempo funk, all while maintaining an undercurrent of spontaneity. With Anderson .Paak’s explosive stage presence, often singing, rapping, and playing drums simultaneously, paired with Knxwledge’s bumping sample-stacked sounds, they fuse a celebration of musicianship and a high-energy jam session mixed with a visual vintage flair, further enhancing the immersive feel. 

There, the pair exist at a crossroads of craftsmanship and cool, their ability to blend fun with depth, simplicity with complexity, and a dash of old school flavour peppered with a forward-thinking vision keeps audiences hyper-engaged. Their catalogue may not be vast, but every release carries weight, each track meticulously assembled like a mixed tape passed between friends. 

For anyone catching NxWorries live at Rifflandia, the takeaway is clear: you’re not just watching a performance, you’re entering an experience curated by two artists committed to pushing boundaries with dynamic musical creative power. 

 

– Vanessa Henderkien Wright. Vanessa Henderkien Wright has been a Creative Executive, Content Writer, and Screenwriter for an independent film company based on Vancouver Island since 2015. Vanessa has a personal deep background fervour for music history spurred by her familial upbringing and formative years spent in Motown, she continues to hold a great passion for creative expression in media of storytelling.

 

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