Anderson .Paak: It’s no longer that we’re just here to be entertainment

Guardian tells the story of Anderson .Paak, who's newest album 'Ventura' - the fourth and final named after a California beach - was just released to critical acclaim. In high school he was "that talented black kid who can rap, sing, danc", but after record labels rejected his demo he reinvented him as "the alternative black kid: I wear skinny jeans and cardigans and I’m indie rock now". In his 20s he recorded amiable soul as Breezy Lovejoy, then in 2011. he lost his job and home just after the birth of his first son Soul, inspired by the DIY ethos of Kendrick Lamar and Frank Ocean, he knuckled down to making new music every day. He went through alot, as himself and in his family but - "I would have to try and make a dark record. Not to say there’s not pain there but there’s some hope and humour and optimism. I can’t help but do that.” Listen to his new song 'Come Home' here.