The term “instant classic” has been disputed by some great minds throughout music history, but one could argue that they’re missing the point of this phrase. When terms like this begin to pop up around recently released LPs from young artists, most are immediately dismissive. How could something that has only been in the world for a short time be deemed a “classic,” a title held by albums that have withstood the test of time and continue to connect with generation after generation? Who decides the timeline for when an album can be deemed a classic? The answers to these questions are just as subjective as claiming any album deserves such praise, but there is a way to make sense of it all.
Claiming an album is an instant classic, much like anything else in music, is personal to a listener. Every music fanatic has had this moment, when you put on an album for the first time and are instantly blown away, immersing yourself in every sonic maneuver, and running back to start the album again without tripping over your jaw that lay open on the floor.
On January 15, 2016, a sophomore album was released, becoming an instant classic for a generation of Hip-hop fanatics and soul revival enthusiasts. Anderson .Paak’s Malibu is celebrating ten years in the contemporary music pantheon, and a decade seems like the perfect time to put this 16-song album on the pedestal it deserves.
Malibu arrived during an odd yet exciting time in .Paak’s career. It had been two years since he released his debut album, Venice, an impressive LP that showcased the multi-hyphenate’s potential but failed to capture the broader public’s attention. It did, seemingly, come across the desk of legendary Dr. Dre, who employed the .Paak for six tracks for his anticipated solo album, Compton, which was released a year before Malibu. .Paak quickly became a name people were looking out for, as he began working with other legends from California, like The Game, and seemingly crafting what would become his breakthrough LP.
With the world watching.Paak took advantage of his newfound stardom to employ an A-List cast of producers and features for Malibu. With the likes of Madlib, DJ Khalil, 9th Wonder, Kaytranda, and .Paak himself handling production, the artist’s acrobatic vocals were free to roam between raspy crooning and cartoonish flows. With the addition of features from ScHoolboy Q, Talib Kweli, and Rapsody, Malibu was destined to be a success on paper, but to credit all the critical acclaim and commercial success to big names on the tracklist is a disservice to the performances put on by .Paak himself.
Malibu is soulful, vulnerable, funky, aggressive, radio-ready, and wholeheartedly .Paak’s vision and interpretation of modern music. His storytelling abilities shine on the heartbreaking “Without You,” as the musician croons of lost love, and on the single “The Season / Carry Me,” which dives deep into the .Paak’s family history. For every moment of harsh reality, the artist had an answer. “Room in Here” is a sultry example of .Paak’s R&B prowess, while “Celebrate” is an uplifting slice of nostalgic soul. The artist’s funky raps are put on full display during highlights like “Come Down” and “The Waters.”
Every portion of .Paak’s artistry is represented on Malibu, and if you weren’t aware of the artist before January of 2016, you were after. The album was released to critical acclaim, receiving nearly perfect scores from The Austin Chronicle, Vice, and Consequence. Malibu went on to receive a Grammy nomination for Best Urban Contemporary album in 2017 and landed high on “Best of the Year” lists from The Independent, Complex, and The Skinny.
If you were there on that January day when Malibu was released, that “instant classic” term was one of the first things that popped into your head right after .Paak belted out his last sandpaper-style note. Ten years later, and you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who has changed their opinion.
