Inside Anderson .Paak and Jaylyn Chang's Marriage

Anderson .Paak has etched an illustrious journey since releasing his debut mixtape in 2012. From O.B.E. Vol.1 to the creation of Silk Sonic, his R&B collaboration with Bruno Mars, the multi-faceted artist has built up a career that spans diverse achievements including eight Grammy Awards, a record label and collaborations with the biggest names in music. And Anderson .Paak's wife Jaylyn Chang has been by his side through the ups and downs of this industry career.

The "Leave the Door Open" singer and drummer, whose real name is Brandon Paak Anderson, has worked hard at his success. He overcame a difficult childhood. In a 2016 interview with The Breakfast Club, Paak explained how his drug-addict father was sent to prison for domestically abusing his mother. Later, his mother and stepfather were sent to prison for tax-related issues. Without the stability he needed as a child, Paak had to put music on the back burner for a while.

There also came a point in the early stages of his relationship with Chang when Paak could no longer afford to support himself and his wife. She had just given birth to their first son (the couple now has two sons). Paak's candid acknowledgment of the struggles they faced in their earlier days, from couch-surfing to navigating uncertainties, reflects the resilience of his spirit and marriage.

Together, the committed couple pushed on with Paak's career only for the artist to enter a world of well-deserved success. While Paak's professional endeavors continue to soar, his dedication to his family remains unwavering. Here's what we know about the "Come Down" singer's story.

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• Who is Anderon .Paak's wife? Jaylyn Chang (also known as Jae Lin Chang) is from Korea.
• How did Anderson .Paak and his wife meet? They met at music school when he was a TA and she was a student.
• Does Anderson .Paak have kids? Yes, Anderson .Paak and his wife share two sons.
• Anderson Paak, who is a quarter-Korean, didn't know much about Korean culture until he met his wife.

Who is Anderson .Paak's Wife, Jaylyn Chang?

Jaylyn Chang, also known as Jae Lin Chang, was born in Korea. Chang is also a musician. According to an interview with Esquire, she's a singer in a gospel rock group. Chang and Paak share two young sons, Soul and Shine.

In a 2016 interview with The Breakfast Club, Paak explains that around the time Soul was born, he was abruptly let go from his job on a marijuana farm. Because of this, the growing family of three didn't have a place of their own, and as a result, had to hop from place to place, couch-surfing and squatting where they could.

How Anderson .Paak & Wife Jaylyn Chang Met

Photo: BRENDA PAAK BILLS

In the interview with The Breakfast Club, Paak explained that he met his wife at music school (the Musicians Institute in Hollywood), where he was hired as a teaching assistant. He accompanied a gospel vocal class on the drums—and it just happened to be the same class Chang was taking.

Chang is actually Paak's second wife. In the same interview, Paak opened up about how he met his first wife when he was really young. He mentioned how they were both heavily involved in their church community, so in order to properly be together they felt the need to get married. Although it didn't last long, he said she's the one who inspired him to pursue music in a real way; however, that it's Chang who really matters to him.

Jaylyn Chang and Anderson .Paak's Kids

Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez

Anderson .Paak's sons, Soul and Shine, are Paak and Chang's only children at the moment. His oldest son, Soul, has his own YouTube channel called KhlexOfficial. Soul recently let his viewers know in a short video that he'll be taking a short break from creating content.

In a 2021 interview with Fun Dumb Clips on YouTube, .Paak mentioned how Soul is bilingual: he can speak both Korean and English fluently. He also discussed his first time meeting his wife's family in Korea (psst: you can actually see a family photo that was taken on the trip in the video).

In the same interview, he mentions how his wife's family was a little iffy about their relationship at first. But once they got to know him, they learned to love him.

Inside Anderson .Paak & His Wife's Life With Kids

Photo: anderson._paak / Instagram

Paak explained in an interview with Hypebeast that quarantine allowed him to spend a lot more quality time with his wife and two sons. It particularly gave him the chance to explore new ways to engage with his kids. "My son was really into YouTube, so I was like 'we should do skits' because he's naturally funny and he dances. I started helping him film skits, and then he would help me edit them," Paak recalled. "We were staying up till two or three in the morning, making these videos together. It made me want to make a movie with him."

Paak also explained how he was able to learn more about Korean culture, particularly K-pop, and that it made him realize how important it is to teach your kids about their heritage.

"My mom is half Black and half Korean, so I'm a quarter Korean, but I never knew much about my Korean culture until when I was married to my wife, who is fully Korean," Paak said. "My kids pretty much see themselves as Korean. Raising [biracial] kids, there's a dynamic of 'all right, you got this side and you got this side' and teaching 'em about both."

Anderson .Paak's Future Projects With Family

Paak's dramatic comedy, K-POPS!, is currently in production. He wrote the script, directed it and also stars in it, along with his son, Soul. This heartwarming film delves into a musician's quest for success in South Korea's vibrant K-pop industry, revealing unexpected family connections, culture and music—a narrative that mirrors Paak's own exploration of heritage and biracial identity.

It was the new-found home time during the pandemic that led Paak to making this film. "I wanted to write a movie that would explore that dynamic and those familial relationships," he said to Hypebeast. "And also, I get to sneak in quality time with my son while shooting."