Anderson .Paak performed at the FireAid benefit gig last night (January 30) and brought out Sheila E and Dr. Dre as special guests. Find footage below.
The event took place at the Kia Forum, having been first announced earlier this month in support of the victims of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires.
Among the huge list of star-studded performers on the night was Anderson .Paak, who delivered an uplifting set and brought out special guests. He kicked off his performance with a rendition of two tracks from his 2016 ‘Malibu’ album – ‘Put Me Thru’ and ‘Come Down’.
For each song he was joined by his backing band, the Free Nationals, as well as iconic singer and drummer Sheila E, who added an extra hit of energy to the set and turned heads by throwing her drum stand at the end of the segment.
From there, .Paak introduced Dr. Dre as another special guest, and the two launched into a rendition of the 1999 track ‘Still Dre.’
Dr. Dre joined Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals to show some California Love at #FireAidLA pic.twitter.com/Tdsckb5b3E
— The Kia Forum (@thekiaforum) January 31, 2025
Dr. Dre joined Anderson Paak to perform “California Love” at the FireAid benefit concert in LA pic.twitter.com/QMd8iGIE6s
— B-Sides (@BSidesTV) January 31, 2025
Dr Dre takes the stage with Anderson .Paak at #FireAidLA pic.twitter.com/fiVe8lHHWY
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) January 31, 2025
L.A. native Anderson .Paak took the stage and brought out icons @SheilaEdrummer and @drdre. The show isn’t over!
Stream NOW On the free KTLA+ app for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and Samsung smart TVs and at https://t.co/UH88UcxAKA pic.twitter.com/FFUwmTWZaD— KTLA (@KTLA) January 31, 2025
Seeing DJ Pee .Wee aka Anderson .Paak doing the
thing on stage with Dr Dre at #FireAidLA got me wanting to go back to ApeFest Lisbon iykyk
pic.twitter.com/5KrZ6IzocH
— BoredApe6328.eth
(@DaybedNFT) January 31, 2025
Anderson Paak & the Free Nationals performing with special guest Shelia E.#andersonpaak #SheilaE @AndersonPaak #entertainment #liveperformance #FireAidLA #support #LAStrong pic.twitter.com/lNZw3oYgvW
— Monica Valentine (@Entertaining_LA) January 31, 2025
“Tonight we show that we can come together for a great cause, and as far as I’m concerned, this is one of the greatest nights in Los Angeles history,” .Paak told the audience midway through the set, also making nods to the “devastating” circumstances that have hit the city.
Dr. Dre also told onlookers that the set was “all about love”, before going on to perform a rendition of ‘California Love’ alongside the Silk Sonic member.
Find footage of the gig above.
Other huge moments of the benefit event came as the surviving members of Nirvana made a surprise appearance at the Kia Forum, and were joined by St. Vincent, Kim Gordon, Joan Jett and Dave Grohl’s daughter Violet on vocals. Together, they broke out renditions of ‘Breed’, ‘School’, ‘Territorial Pissings’ and ‘All Apologies’.
Elsewhere, Billie Eilish and Green Day teamed up for a live rendition of ‘Last Night On Earth’, and No Doubt reunited for a medley of hits, marking their first show since playing Coachella 2024.
Actor Billy Crystal hosted the event, wearing the clothes he had on when he escaped the Pacific Palisades fire earlier this month, and other artists performing included Lady Gaga, Rod Stewart, Katy Perry, Joni Mitchell, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sting, Stevie Nicks, Gracie Abrams, Olivia Rodrigo and Peso Pluma.
Elsewhere at the event, Crystal revealed that U2 contributed $1m (£804,829) to the cause. All proceeds made will go to those affected by the wildfires, and donations can be made here.
Last year, Anderson .Paak spoke to NME as part of an In Conversation interview and opened up about why he has worked on so many collaborations over the years.
“I think that I have a gift of bringing the best out of other people, especially when I can see that someone’s bringing the best out of me,” he said. “And I have no problem with staying in my lane and figuring out a lane that I can thrive in. I don’t have to be the main guy – or if I do need to be the main guy, then I’ll do that.
“But I get a deep joy out of collaboration. I feel like there’s things I can do when I collaborate that I can’t do just solo. It’s a mind state that I put myself in when I’m working with other people that helps me be even more creative.”
The post Watch Dr. Dre join Anderson .Paak for ‘California Love’ and ‘Still Dre’ with Shelia E at FireAid appeared first on NME.