Anderson .Paak – Venice (2xLP, 10th Anniversary)

Venice is the debut studio album by Anderson .Paak, released 28 October 2014. It presents a blend of hip hop, R&B and soul, marked by .Paak’s multi-talented approach as vocalist, rapper, drummer and producer. The album navigates between laid-back grooves and more upbeat moments, featuring collaborators such as SiR and straddling introspective mood and bold soundscapes.

While Venice didn’t dominate mainstream charts, it laid the groundwork for .Paak’s later acclaim by showcasing his willingness to experiment across genre lines. Tracks like “Drugs” and “Miss Right” hint at his future strengths—raw emotion, rhythmic nuance, and a voice that can hold space in both hushed verses and fuller arrangements. The diversity in production—electronic flourishes, soulful instrumentation, beat-driven textures—makes it a compelling, if slightly uneven, debut.