Why Lawd?

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Why Lawd?
File:Why Lawd?.jpg
Studio album by
NxWorries
ReleasedJune 7, 2024
Studio
Length44:10
LabelStones Throw
ProducerKnxwledge
NxWorries chronology
Yes Lawd! Remixes
(2017) 		Why Lawd?
(2024)
Alternate cover
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Cover by Rhymezlikedimez; only available with physical purchases
Singles from Why Lawd?
  1. "Where I Go"
    Released: October 19, 2022
  2. "Daydreaming"
    Released: May 18, 2023
  3. "86Sentra"
    Released: April 3, 2024
  4. "FromHere"
    Released: May 14, 2024
  5. "WalkOnBy"
    Released: June 11, 2024

Why Lawd? is the second studio album by American neo soul[1] duo NxWorries, which consists of vocalist Anderson .Paak and producer Knxwledge. It was released physically on June 7, 2024,[2][3] by Stones Throw Records, and was digitally released a week later on June 14, 2024.[4] The album won Best Progressive R&B Album at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards.[5]

Background

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In October 2020, Anderson .Paak revealed that a new NxWorries album was on the way.[6] After years of teases on social media, the album was announced on April 3, 2024, with an official visualizer for "86Sentra" being released the same day.[7]

Release and promotion

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The album's first single, "Where I Go", featuring H.E.R., was released on October 19, 2022, alongside a music video.[8][9] It was previously debuted at the Double Happiness Festival in December 2020.[10] The second single, "Daydreaming", was released on May 18, 2023, alongside a music video recorded in Grand Theft Auto V.[11][12] On April 3, 2024, the album was officially announced with the single "86Sentra".[2][4] "FromHere", featuring Snoop Dogg and October London, was released on May 14, 2024, as the album's fourth single.[13] The album released physically on June 7, 2024.[2][14] The album's fifth single, "WalkOnBy" featuring Earl Sweatshirt and Rae Khalil, was released on June 11, 2024.[14] It released digitally on June 14, 2024.[15]

In May 2025, the duo announced their first tour together, the Why Lawd? Tour, in support of the album.[16] The tour will be supported by Rae Khalil and is set to run from September to October 2025.[16]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic77/100[17]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarStar[18]
The GuardianStarStar[19]
Pitchfork8.0/10[20]
RapReviews8.5/10[21]
The SkinnyStarStarStarStar[22]

According to the review aggregator Metacritic, Why Lawd? received "generally favorable reviews" based on a weighted average score of 77 out of 100 from 6 critic scores.[17]

Writing for Variety, John Kennedy wrote that the album was an "intriguing listen" with a "level of candor" on themes such as survivor's guilt and emotional unavailability.[23] Dylan Green of Pitchfork described the Knxwledge's production on the album as "some of the most breathtaking production of his career", describing it as "ornately constructed, each a treasure hunt for the tell that it's all made from tiny bits of other songs."[20] AllMusic's Andy Kellman concluded his review stating: 'Paak's litany of woes -- "Roll the windows down, I hope the rain hides my tears"—ensure that his thunder is not stolen.'[18] Stevie Chick's review for The Guardian was critical of the album's lyrics, writing that .Paak was an "unlikable narrator" and that his lyrics were "wildly switching moods between anger, self-pity and desperate horniness."[19] Writing for The Skinny, Logan Walker stated that the album delivered "the sonic smoothness fans have come to expect."[22]

Track listing

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Why Lawd? track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."ThankU" (featuring Dave Chappelle)
0:50
2."86Sentra"
1:36
3."MoveOn"
2:47
4."KeepHer" (featuring Thundercat)
4:14
5."Distractions"
  • Anderson
  • Boothe
1:49
6."Lookin'"
0:54
7."Where I Go" (featuring H.E.R.)
3:18
8."Daydreaming"
3:01
9."FromHere" (featuring Snoop Dogg and October London)
4:01
10."FallThru"
2:21
11."Battlefield"
3:38
12."HereIAm"
  • Anderson
  • Boothe
  • Gregory Cook
  • Kathryn Thomas
1:34
13."OutTheWay" (featuring Rae Khalil)
3:26
14."SheUsed"
  • Gene Allan
  • Anderson
  • Boothe
  • Gary Knight
2:36
15."MoreOfIt"
  • Anderson
  • Boothe
1:12
16."NVR.RMX" (featuring Charlie Wilson)
1:18
17."DistantSpace" (featuring the Last Artful, Dodgr)
1:23
18."WalkOnBy" (featuring Earl Sweatshirt and Rae Khalil)
3:47
19."EvnMore"
0:25
Total length:44:10

Sample credits

  • "ThankU" contains a sample of "Thank You Jesus" by Johnnie Wilder Jr.
  • "Daydreaming" contains a sample of "You're Gonna Love It" by Stanley Clarke and George Duke.
  • "FallThru" contains a sample of "Just One of Your Kisses" by Ralfi Pagan.
  • "Battlefield" contains a sample of "Sitting in the Park" by the Ghost Squad.
  • "HereIAm" contains a sample of "I'd Like to Stay" by People's Pleasure with Alive and Wild.
  • "OutTheWay" contains a sample of "Let's Try Again" by Surface.
  • "SheUsed" contains a sample of "She Calls Me Baby" by J Kelly & The Premiers.
  • "DistantSpace" contains a sample of "Butterflies" by Smythe.
  • "EvnMore" contains a sample of "Urban Shadow" by Yuji Ohno & Friends.

Personnel

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NxWorries

Additional musicians

  • Dave Chappelle – words on "ThankU"
  • Ann One – background vocals on "MoveOn" and "KeepHer"
  • Andra Day – background vocals on "MoveOn"
  • BJ the Chicago Kid – background vocals on "MoveOn"
  • Thundercat – vocals on "KeepHer"
  • Ab-Soul – vocals on "Lookin'"
  • José Ríos – lead guitar on "Where I Go" and "WalkOnBy"
  • H.E.R. – vocals on "Where I Go"
  • J.Mo – lead guitar on "Daydreaming"
  • Snoop Dogg – vocals on "FromHere"
  • October London – vocals on "FromHere"
  • Haley Reinhart – background vocals on "Battlefield"
  • Rae Khalil – vocals on "OutTheWay" and "WalkOnBy"
  • Charlie Wilson – vocals on "NVR.RMX"
  • Dodgr – background vocals on "DistantSpace"
  • Leonard "Pudge" Tribbett – drums on "DistantSpace"
  • Earl Sweatshirt – vocals on "WalkOnBy"
  • Julia Rachelle – background vocals on "WalkOnBy"
  • Gemma Castro – background vocals on "WalkOnBy"

Technical

  • Dos Pueblos[a] – mixing, engineering
  • Mike Bozzi – mastering
  • Bernie Grundman – mastering
  • Shon "Lawon" Brooks – engineering on "FromHere"
  • Frank Vasquez – engineering on "FromHere"
  • October London – engineering on "FromHere"
  • Gemma Castro – engineering assistance
  • Collin Davis – engineering assistance
  • Zumo Kollie – engineering assistance
  • Jeffery "Champ" Massey – engineering assistance
  • Jeff Jank, Israel Ramos – artwork

Charts

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Chart performance for Why Lawd?
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Australian Vinyl Albums (ARIA)[24] 8
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[25] 113
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[26] 68
Scottish Albums (OCC)[27] 51
UK Album Downloads (OCC)[28] 51
UK Albums Sales (OCC)[29] 30
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[30] 13
UK R&B Albums (OCC)[31] 2
US Billboard 200[32] 81
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[33] 26

Notes

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  1. ^ Dos Pueblos consists of Jhair "Jha" Lazo and Julio Ulloa

References

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  24. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  25. ^ "Ultratop.be – NxWorries – Why Lawd?" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  26. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – NxWorries – Why Lawd?" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  27. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  28. ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  29. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  30. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  31. ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  32. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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