Next Big Thing: Paak’s musical punch, the roots of ‘Green Room’ director Saulnier

TORONTO – The weekly Next Big Thing column highlights what’s bubbling under the surface in entertainment with a look at rising stars in the world of music, as well as standout TV shows, movies and web series that would be a shame to overlook.

SUPER-PAAK

Hip-hop music has found a new hope in Anderson Paak.

The 30-year-old singer and rapper from Oxnard, Calif., has been making waves behind the scenes in the music industry for a couple of years, but his efforts only recently started to be recognized in the mainstream.

Attention first landed on Paak last summer when he was featured on not one but six tracks from Dr. Dre’s third studio album, “Compton.”

Since then he’s been in high-demand from other artists, and made guest appearances on songs from the likes of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, the Game and Montreal-based producer Kaytranada, whose new single “Glowed Up” is getting an extra boost from Paak’s rising star.

But it’s Paak’s own material which proves he stands out from the rest.

On his 2016 album “Malibu” he almost immediately dives into confessional storytelling with an ambitious mixture of rap, R&B and soul that harkens back to an earlier era when most albums weren’t just a few singles and a bunch of filler.

Check out “Am I Wrong,” featuring Schoolboy Q, a funk-infused dance song in which Paak exudes the confidence of making the right first impression. Listen to the song: http://bit.ly/1Qs0NAg

SOUTHERN VENGEANCE

When it comes to building tension, director Jeremy Saulnier has got the skill down pat.

With his vicious punk-rock thriller “Green Room” beginning its rollout in Canadian theatres next Friday, now’s a good time to get familiar with one of independent cinema’s most bewitching young directors.

Start with “Blue Ruin,” his vengeance tale which made its rounds on the festival circuit a few years back.

The storyline begins with a man who returns to his hometown after years of living in his car and dumpster diving.

His life was destroyed when his parents were murdered. Now that the killer is being released from prison, he wants to see him dead.

“Blue Ruin” zeroes in on the bloodthirst of eye-for-an-eye justice and ponders whether there’s truly satisfaction in reaching an even score.

The film garnered widespread praise from critics and Saulnier credits it for helping secure financial backing for “Green Room,” which co-stars Patrick Stewart.

You can watch “Blue Ruin” on Netflix and this month on the Super Channel. Watch the trailer: http://bit.ly/1rq8TVZ

WRONG MANS, RIGHT SHOW

Hard to believe James Corden just marked his first anniversary on late night only a few weeks ago.

The British entertainer burst onto the international scene with CBS’ “Late Late Show with James Corden,” almost immediately making his mark with the unforgettable “Carpool Karaoke” skits featuring some of the biggest celebrities.

But Corden had years of experience in England before he made his splash in the United States.

Check out “The Wrong Mans,” a two-season BBC comedy which drew huge audiences when it aired in late 2013.

The show features Corden and comedian Mathew Baynton as friends who are unknowingly roped into a kidnapping plot when they pick up a mobile phone in the wrong place, at the wrong time.

Both actors grabbed acting BAFTA nominations for their acting roles in the series.

You can see “The Wrong Mans” on Shomi. Watch a preview of the series: http://bit.ly/1XMtfCJ

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