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Music lovers have something exciting to look forward to this week. Espa and Anderson .Paak team up on new song ‘Keychain’ for ‘K-POPS’ Deezer! The collaboration brings together two powerful forces from different corners of the global music scene — and it’s already creating a buzz online.
A First-Time Collaboration That Feels Natural
Anderson .Paak and aespa are officially collaborating on a new track titled “Keychain.” The song is part of the soundtrack for the upcoming film K-POPS!, and fans couldn’t be more curious about how this cross-cultural pairing will sound.
The announcement came via Instagram, where both artists shared the cover artwork. The visual featured a soft purple fuzzy bag decorated with a miniature .Paak keychain and an aespa logo charm — playful, stylish, and perfectly in tune with the title. The track is scheduled for release on Feb. 27 at midnight ET.
While this marks their first official release together, the collaboration doesn’t feel random. Both artists are known for blending genres, experimenting with sound, and pushing beyond traditional boundaries in their respective industries.
The Production Power Behind “Keychain”
The song is produced by Dem Jointz, a well-known name in both American and Korean music circles. His work in K-pop includes major tracks like Cherry Bomb by NCT, Obsession by EXO, Supernova by aespa, and Don’t Call Me by SHINee.
With his strong understanding of hip-hop, R&B, and K-pop’s polished production style, Dem Jointz seems like the perfect bridge between Anderson .Paak’s soulful grooves and aespa’s futuristic pop sound.
Anderson .Paak’s Ongoing Connection with K-Pop
Even though “Keychain” is his first official collaboration with aespa, Anderson .Paak is far from new to the K-pop world. Over the years, he has steadily built creative connections within the industry.
He previously teamed up with Dean on the smooth R&B track Put My Hands on You. He also collaborated with RM on the genre-blending song Still Life from the album Indigo.
More recently, he worked closely with G-DRAGON on the energetic track Too Bad from the album Übermensch, where he not only featured but also contributed to production. Interestingly, aespa’s Karina appeared in the “Too Bad” music video, creating an indirect connection between the artists even before “Keychain” was announced.
These past collaborations show that .Paak has been thoughtfully exploring K-pop’s creative landscape for some time now. “Keychain” feels less like a sudden experiment and more like the next natural step.
The Story Behind K-POPS!
The film K-POPS! has an interesting origin story. Ahead of its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2024, Anderson .Paak shared that the project began during the COVID-19 lockdown.
According to him, the idea started when his son mentioned wanting to become a YouTuber. That simple moment led them to create fun skits together at home. Over time, what began as a playful family activity evolved into something much larger.
As .Paak researched K-pop more deeply — from its survival-show structure to its musical roots in ’90s R&B and gospel — the concept for K-POPS! took shape. The film became a way to explore cultural identity, especially the connection and contrast between Black and Korean influences in music.
The movie was co-written by Anderson .Paak and Khaila Amazan and includes original songs created in collaboration with Dem Jointz. The cast features Soul Rasheed, Jonnie “Dumbfoundead” Park, and Yvette Nicole Brown, along with cameo appearances from artists such as G-DRAGON, SEVENTEEN’s Vernon, Jay Park, Jessi, and Crush.
The film is set to open exclusively in AMC Theatres on Feb. 27.
Why “Keychain” Matters
Beyond being just another soundtrack release, Espa and Anderson .Paak team up on new song ‘Keychain’ for ‘K-POPS’ Deezer! represents something bigger. It reflects how music industries are increasingly interconnected.
K-pop is no longer limited by geography, and artists like Anderson .Paak are actively participating in its growth rather than simply observing from the outside. Meanwhile, aespa continues to expand its global footprint, collaborating with artists who bring fresh influences to their sound.
“Keychain” sits at that crossroads — where R&B, hip-hop, and K-pop meet. It symbolizes not just a creative experiment, but a cultural conversation.
As the release date approaches, fans of both artists are waiting to hear how these distinct styles blend together. If their past projects are any indication, the result will likely feel intentional, rhythmic, and thoughtfully produced.
One thing is certain: when different musical worlds collide with respect and creativity, something interesting always comes out of it. And “Keychain” seems ready to prove exactly that.
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