Anderson .Paak has been praised as a “magician” and a “legend” after he was named as one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2026.
Poker Face star Natasha Lyonne penned a short essay about the Leave the Door Open hitmaker to mark his inclusion in the prestigious list, and said the rapper and singer-songwriter is a “man at the peak of his powers”.
She wrote in Time magazine: “You haven’t really heard the Beatles until you’ve heard Anderson .Paak on the piano at 4 a.m., alone, sounding out “The Long and Winding Road.” He’s a magician. A legend. A voice and a tone.
“Andy’s 40th birthday was a night full of love, dancing, and family.
“The sum total of a lifetime of talent, a man at the peak of his powers. Laughing with his mom and friends. Top of the world. (sic)”
American Pie star Natasha also commended Anderson for being “humbly aware that he’s the keeper of this endless trove of ideas, songs, and stories”.
She added: “His presence is palpable. It’s undeniable.
“He lights up the whole space – cools and relaxes the place, but still on fire. Feels historic.
“Anderson .Paak is the genuine, multihyphenate article. No one like him.
“Funny, unself-conscious, inspired.
“Humbly aware that he’s the keeper of this endless trove of ideas, songs, and stories – including, this year, his directorial debut.
“Each spark tethering to the next, seamlessly flying without a net and yet somehow fully course-corrected.”
The actress and director also said Anderson, who she affectionately calls Andy, has a “golden glow” about him, which is a “gift for anyone in his orbit”.
She concluded her piece: “The song said to leave the door open?…?so, you know, pretty sound advice, turns out. Andy’s the whole constellation.”
Last year, Anderson collaborated with Mariah Carey on her Here For It All album.
The star co-produced several tracks on the record, and he features on the second tune, Play This Song.
Last May, Anderson let the news slip about his Mariah collaboration while appearing on social media series Track Star – where guests try to identify mystery songs – as he correctly guessed the 57-year-old star’s 1996 song Always Be My Baby.
Anderson – who was wearing a T-shirt featuring Mariah’s face – said: “This would be Mariah Carey. The Mariah Carey.
“I remember in like 5th grade, or something, watching the music videos and having a huge crush. We’re working on some music on her new album.”
