Drinking Don Julio Rosato With Anderson .Paak

He’s already worked with artists like Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Bruno Mars and Smokey Robinson and now eight-time Grammy-winner Anderson .Paak is taking on a different type of collaboration — helping launch the new Don Julio Rosato tequila which is aged four months in Ruby Port casks. I spoke with Anderson .Paak about how he likes to enjoy the new release, his annual .Paak house festival and his directorial debut.

What were the first cocktails you enjoyed?

I was a late bloomer to drinks. I would order things like whiskey and ginger or Long Island iced teas. A lot of the things I drank were because rappers had mentioned them in songs.

How did you team up with Don Julio Rosado?

We’re the perfect pair! We’re both fun brands. They told me about their new tequila and it had more of a daytime vibe. I’ve been doing a lot DJing lately. I do nighttime events but I also do daytime events — and why wait for the night? Get a little day drink and take us into the night.

Will you share a drink with the audience during a set?

If I’m performing or DJing I’ll have a shot if the crows is giving me good energy. I’ll do a cheers! A toast gets the party going a little more.

How do you like to enjoy Don Julio Rosato?

I prefer it over a little ice and straight. It’s light but has a kick to it – perfect for daytime. With Don Julio you don’t need to mix it with much because the natural taste is good. So for me straight up or with one big rock in it.

A lot of people would like to have a drink with you. Who’s someone you’ve admired you’ve gotten to share a drink with?

When me and Dr. Dre are in the studio we like to have a drink or two. I’ve shared plenty of drinks with Bruno Mars. Even Snoop — I don’t think he drinks as much now — but when we worked on my project ‘Oxnard’ we shared a drink and I believe it was Don Julio.

What current projects are you working on?

Right now I’m gearing up to release my next project with my group NxWorries and my foundation is gearing up for our annual .Paak House event. I’m also getting ready to do a movie.

Tell us about your .Paak House event.

My foundation is called the The Brandon Anderson Foundation and we host events every year for underserved communities. We provide back-to-school supplies, haircuts, food, and a festival experience for people that might not be otherwise be able to see one. When I was growing up it was exposure to music and arts that kept me from going in a different direction. And I’ve seen a lot of people go in a different direction because of lack of exposure. Now that I have a platform I started the foundation so I can expose kids and families to amazing things that can inspire them. Every year we throw a big festival and I get everyone I can, out of my phone and my relationships, to do performances.

And what’s the movie?

It’s called ‘K-POPS’ and it’s starring me and my son and we’re shooting it this year. I co-wrote it and am directing it. I’m really excited about it. Long story short: I find out that my son, who I never knew, might become the next big K-pop star.

You have a tattoo that says you don’t want any posthumous albums or songs released. What would you like to be remembered by?

I’d like to be remembered as someone that gave. Someone who didn’t mind sharing all his experiences and all the joy that I have putting into the things I create. Someone who shared that same feeling with everyone else.