NxWorries: The Soulful Hip-Hop Duo

NxWorries is a collaborative music project consisting of acclaimed producer Knxwledge and soulful singer Anderson .Paak. Formed in the 2010s, the duo crafts a distinct blend of sample-heavy, lo-fi hip-hop and gritty R&B. Their work is celebrated for its raw, vintage sound and has achieved significant critical praise within the alternative hip-hop scene.

Early Career

The partnership began after Knxwledge, a prolific beatmaker from New Jersey known for his work with the Stones Throw collective, sent a batch of instrumentals to Anderson .Paak, a rising artist from Oxnard, California. Their shared affinity for dusty soul samples and off-kilter rhythms led to an immediate creative chemistry. The duo's first official release was the 2015 single "Suede," which quickly garnered attention for its smooth yet rugged aesthetic and served as a promising preview of their collaborative potential.

Breakthrough

NxWorries' breakthrough arrived in 2016 with the release of their debut album, "Yes Lawd!" on Stones Throw Records. The album was a critical success, praised for its cohesive fusion of Knxwledge's intricate production and .Paak's charismatic, raspy vocals. "Yes Lawd!" solidified their status as a formidable duo, offering a more raw and sample-based counterpoint to Anderson .Paak's concurrently rising solo career.

Key Tracks

Suede - The duo's debut single that perfectly established their signature sound of hazy production and effortless flow.

Lyk Dis - A standout track from "Yes Lawd!" known for its infectious, head-nodding groove and playful lyrical exchange.

Get Bigger / Do U Luv - This two-part suite showcases the full range of their dynamic, from soulful crooning to more assertive, beat-driven sections.

Following the success of "Yes Lawd!", both members focused on their individual, highly successful careers, with Anderson .Paak achieving mainstream fame and Knxwledge continuing his prolific output of instrumental projects. The duo reunited in 2023, releasing the single "Where I Go" featuring H.E.R., which signaled a return to their collaborative work and was followed by their second album, "Why Lawd?" in 2024.

Artists with a similar vibe include the soulful and sample-rich work of Madlib, the smooth R&B-inflected hip-hop of The Internet, and the jazzy, laid-back production style found in early Kaytranada projects.