Welcome to The Sports Fan Journal’s latest series, In The Rotation. Music fans are always trying to find the latest tunes to spin and our editor Mya Melody, a.k.a. the playlist virtuoso, is here to help. Whether you need a weekend turn up anthem or a smooth jam for a kickback, this series will highlight the week’s hottest song to add in your collection. Vibe out and enjoy! #MelodyPutYouOn
Just four months after releasing his third studio album Oxnard, Anderson .Paak is set to release his follow-up Ventura in April, and his latest single "King James" sets the tone of the project.
For fans who fell in love with .Paak's soulful, raspy voice on his sophomore album Malibu, they had high hopes for his Oxnard album. Although .Paak earned his first Grammy for the album's lead single "Bubblin," the album seemingly didn't project the same cohesiveness the .Paak hive knows and loves. It seems like the Dr. Dre protégé is ready to redeem himself on Ventura, and "King James" is the perfect title for the lead single.
On the track, .Paak stresses how people can create their own narratives, stand up for what they believe in, build up their communities, and support their day-ones. He makes a couple of athletic references such as "Now I'm not much for games but I play for keeps / And we salute King James for using his chains to create some equal opportunities."
LeBron James is one of the most prolific athletes of all time, not only for his dominance on the court, but also for the work he does in his community. .Paak realizes the power of using one's platform to build others up and "King James" is all about creating a movement for a better world. It's safe to say, LeBron will get into his "A&R Bron" mode on Instagram and put this song on repeat any day now.
Put Anderson .Paak's "King James" in the rotation and check out this week's pertinent reading material:
How T-Pain Reshaped The Sound of Music - Genius
How Cash Money Records Changed Rap Forever - Vulture
If Every Rap Album Was A&Red by an NBA Superstar - DJBooth
A 72-Year-Old Proves You're Never Too Old to Make Trap Beats - Rolling Stone
Music Sermon: Groove Me - The Women Behind The Early '90s Dance Legacy - VIBE
