Free Nationals
Best known for being Anderson .Paak's live band, The Free Nationals, from Los Angeles, California, have toured the world meeting countless artists who inspire them. While the number of contemporary musicians who inspire them would take an anthology of box sets to cover, they have boiled it down to a handful of artists to include on the album, all of whom lend their talents in spreading the funk. Free Nationals means the first people of America, indigenous to the land before Columbus came. The group seeks to pay respect to the musicians that came before them, staying indigenous to the funk. They pay tribute to their inspirations such as Stevie Wonder, B.B. King, Herbie Hancock, and Al Green by incorporating technical musicianship and pioneering musical euphoria for a new generation.
Their debut self-titled album featured an all-star cast of friends they've met along their musical journey, including the late Mac Miller, Syd, Anderson .Paak, Kali Uchis, T.I., JID, Westside Gunn, Conway, Chronixx, Daniel Caesar, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Kadhja Bonet, MIKNNA, Benny Sings, and Joyce Wrice. Released December 13, 2019, the album has gone on to sell over 265,000 units; highlighted by a 2020 Grammy nomination for “Best Progressive R&B Album.” Singles “Beauty & Essex” (ft. Daniel Caesar & Unknown Mortal Orchestra) & “Time” (ft. Mac Miller & Kali Uchis) have since reached RIAA Gold certification.
In 2020, prior to the pandemic shut down, the Free Nationals completed an album release headline tour, selling out all dates in advance. Returning to touring in the summer of 2022, the Free Nationals—alongside Anderson .Paak—supported the Red Hot Chili Peppers in arenas throughout Europe & the United Kingdom; and finished out the year supporting Herbie Hancock at the Hollywood Bowl.
The band’s 2023 was highlighted by a guest TV appearance on Freeform’s Grown-ish and mainstage festival performances at Okeechobee Festival in Florida (with special guest set performers Anderson .Paak, Big Boi, and Earth Wind & Fire); and Roskilde Festival in Denmark to an amazing 80,000 person crowd.
In 2024, we will see the Free Nationals return once again to Freeform’s Grown-ish for a follow-up episode. The group will also return to the stage in late April with Anderson .Paak for the New Orleans Jazz Festival. Along with their single release for “Gangsta,” more music is expected to be on the way.
Their debut self-titled album featured an all-star cast of friends they've met along their musical journey, including the late Mac Miller, Syd, Anderson .Paak, Kali Uchis, T.I., JID, Westside Gunn, Conway, Chronixx, Daniel Caesar, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Kadhja Bonet, MIKNNA, Benny Sings, and Joyce Wrice. Released December 13, 2019, the album has gone on to sell over 265,000 units; highlighted by a 2020 Grammy nomination for “Best Progressive R&B Album.” Singles “Beauty & Essex” (ft. Daniel Caesar & Unknown Mortal Orchestra) & “Time” (ft. Mac Miller & Kali Uchis) have since reached RIAA Gold certification.
In 2020, prior to the pandemic shut down, the Free Nationals completed an album release headline tour, selling out all dates in advance. Returning to touring in the summer of 2022, the Free Nationals—alongside Anderson .Paak—supported the Red Hot Chili Peppers in arenas throughout Europe & the United Kingdom; and finished out the year supporting Herbie Hancock at the Hollywood Bowl.
The band’s 2023 was highlighted by a guest TV appearance on Freeform’s Grown-ish and mainstage festival performances at Okeechobee Festival in Florida (with special guest set performers Anderson .Paak, Big Boi, and Earth Wind & Fire); and Roskilde Festival in Denmark to an amazing 80,000 person crowd.
In 2024, we will see the Free Nationals return once again to Freeform’s Grown-ish for a follow-up episode. The group will also return to the stage in late April with Anderson .Paak for the New Orleans Jazz Festival. Along with their single release for “Gangsta,” more music is expected to be on the way.
