PawPaw Rod drops brand new music video

Born in Hawaii and raised in Oklahoma, PawPaw Rod has always lived between worlds and his music sounds exactly like that. A rapper, singer and genre blender with an old soul and a futuristic edge, his work fuses hip hop, funk, soul and alternative into something entirely new. He calls himself a “military brat,” shaped by constant movement and the freedom that comes from never fully belonging to one place.

Growing up in Norman, Oklahoma, he says, “There was an absence of a dominant or regional sound, especially for Black artists. This afforded me the freedom to pull from everything.” That creative freedom, combined with early influences like Maxwell, Prince, The Gap Band and Bill Withers, helped define the rich, multidimensional sound he’s known for today.

PawPaw Rod first made his entrance in 2020 with “HIT EM WHERE IT HURTS,” a breakout single that flipped the energy of 60s soul and funk into a modern anthem of groove and grit. The song was an instant statement, both nostalgic and forward-thinking, soulful but with a sly grin and what followed was a steady rise across four EPs, each one expanding his sonic output and sharpening his storytelling. His growing catalogue now boasts over 200 million streams and a loyal fanbase of listeners around the world drawn to his mix of swagger, warmth and heart.

Securing critical acclaim, he’s been spotlighted by Rolling Stone, GQ, Complex, Billboard and The FADER, praised for his originality and the charm of his sound. His tracks have landed in major shows like Outer Banks, Platonic and Insecure, as well as Apple and Nike campaigns and in 2024, he even became one of the faces of GAP’s global Give Your Gift holiday campaign, appearing in stores and billboards around the world.

But for all his growing fame, PawPaw Rod’s story has never strayed from where it began, in the deep roots of Oklahoma and his latest single titled “The Get Back” is a reminder of exactly that. A long-awaited fan favourite produced by Two Fresh, the song reconnects him with his origins as a rapper, the kid from the Eastside of Oklahoma City who picked up a mic and never stopped chasing his dream. It’s a song about determination, self-belief and the quiet pride that comes from knowing exactly who you are.

Revolving around a hypnotic chant of “the get back,” PawPaw Rod delivers verses that balance hunger and humility, gratitude and drive. It’s an ode to the overlooked, to anyone who’s had to fight for their place, wrapped up in a shimmering alternative pop jam that’s at once grooving and mellow. Flowing with stabby bass rumbles, intricate percussion and hazy textures peppered by bright instrumental flourishes capped by PawPaw Rod’s razor sharp vocal delivery, it’s an epic jam that’s memorable and highly original from start to finish.

Paired with the single is a music video directed by Jesse Boykins III which captures PawPaw Rod performing the track cut with shots of him on a basketball court, offering an engaging visual accompaniment for the music. Following a transformative year that included his first headlining tour and performances at festivals like Coachella, Austin City Limits and Lollapalooza, “The Get Back” sees PawPaw Rod continue to go from strength to strength with each move.

Commenting on the single, he shares, “The Get Back’ feels spiritual to me. It’s like my ancestors singing through the song,  reminding me that I’m living a prayer someone had before me. No matter how much my world changes, this track keeps me grounded in my roots and why I started.”

Watch the music video for The Get Back below

More from Music

---

Editor Picks

---