Watch Anderson .Paak And DEAN Reunite With 'Aftertaste'

Official Announcement | Published: May 09, 2026 10:19 AM EDT

(IC) Nine-time GRAMMY Award-winning artist Anderson .Paak reveals his infectious new single "Aftertaste" featuring South Korean alt-R&B artist DEAN. The propulsive track reunites the duo more than a decade after their last collaboration and draws inspiration from .Paak's feature film directorial debut, K-POPS!, which will be available for streaming on Netflix on May 30.

Produced by Dem Jointz (Jennie, Eminem), "Aftertaste" captures the clear creative chemistry of .Paak and DEAN as they shoot their shots at love. Over hard-hitting drums and soft synth strings, DEAN sweetly serenades his subject, while .Paak cuts to the chase: "That bass, that shake, that walk, I'ma need that! / That taste, that waist, that uh, that pretty-*ss face, I'ma need that!" The driving mix of club rhythms and bedroom R&B only furthers the undeniable energy of the pair's 2015 single "Put My Hands On You."

"Aftertaste" follows .Paak's February drop, "Keychain" featuring superstar girl group aespa - the first release in what's shaping up to be a broader K-POPS!-inspired album. Built around the fusion of aespa's genre-mixing K-pop sensibilities with .Paak's hip-hop, R&B, and funk roots - not to mention his own Black and Korean heritage - the song reflects the cross-cultural spirit at the heart of the family film.

Set against the backdrop of a Seoul K-pop competition show, K-POPS! explores generational connection and cultural exchange through music, following a father and son whose paths collide in unexpected ways. .Paak wrote and directed the movie, and also stars alongside his real-life son Soul Rasheed. K-POPS! is Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, and has earned critical praise and coverage from major outlets including Forbes, Variety, Billboard, The Boston Globe, and Los Angeles Times, among others.

.Paak has been on an incredible run in 2026, ringing in his 40th birthday at his acclaimed West Hollywood restaurant and lounge, Andy's, the same month he scored his 15th GRAMMY nomination - Best Dance/Electronic Recording for "No Cap" with Disclosure. He also made a standout appearance at this year's Met Gala, and was recently named among TIME's 100 Most Influential People of 2026 in the "Artists" category, with a profile written by actress and director Natasha Lyonne, who noted, "Anderson .Paak is the genuine, multihyphenate article."