Assisted by fellow West Coast colleague Kendrick Lamar, Anderson .Paak drops an intriguing, groovy new single, fueled by fame, “Tints.”

West Coast singer, rapper, and producer Anderson .Paak returns strong on his hella groovy, soulful single, “Tints.”  Adding to the fire on the track is a guest appearance on the second by Grammy-winning Compton, California rapper, Kendrick Lamar. Paak sings the first verse, asserting he’s “been feelin’ kinda cooped up,” seemingly by the effects of fame.  Within the same verse, he ties everything into his feelings, referencing California weather (“You know it never rains here / Hey, you ain’t gotta flash when you takin’ your picture”), the dangers of the Paparazzi (‘shooting’), and the socially-charged lyric, “N***as dyin’ for less, I hear.” Paak goes on to talk about his blessings on the pre-chorus, before emphasizing the necessity of “tints” given his fame and various activities.

“I can’t be ridin’ round and round that open strip

I need tints (windows tinted)

I need tints (I need my windows tinted)

I can’t be flying down that 110 with a bad bitch in my whip

I need tints…”

“Bitch, I’m Kendrick Lamar, respect me from afar / I was made in his image, you call me a god.” Sigh, K-Dot shines on the second verse, continuing the fame sentiment captured by Anderson .Paak early on.  He continues to reference the need for tints for a variety of reasons, including “…So I can look at the snakes and posers.”  After another iteration of the chorus, Paak drops the third verse, referencing “presidential” status and cleverly, “N****as never see me comin’.” He goes on to continue such on the outro.

Final Thoughts 

Doesn’t it seem that Anderson .Paak never seems to make a bad song? If he does happen to have a dud in his catalogue, it’s certainly not “Tints.” “Tints” is well-produced, well-written, and well-performed by both Paak and Kendrick Lamar.  Paak’s new album, Oxnard should be a treat once it arrives.

Anderson .Paak • Tints (Ft. Kendrick Lamar) – Single • Aftermath • Release: 10.4.18

Photo Credit: Aftermath