NxWorries Brings Soul, Spirit, and Cinematic Energy to Houston Stop of ‘Why Lawd? Tour’
NxWorries put on a show for Houston at the House of Blues on Oct. 9. The anticipation inside the venue was undeniable. Fans packed in shoulder to shoulder, buzzing for what promised to be a night of live musicianship, nostalgia, and unfiltered soul.
Photo Credit: StoneThrows Record
Opening the evening was Rae Khalil, who instantly set the tone with an effortlessly cool performance. The lights dimmed to reveal her seated in a chair, surrounded by a haze of calm confidence. Her voice — smooth and buttery — glided over mellow, soulful hip-hop grooves reminiscent of a young Lauryn Hill. Khalil performed selections from her new project, Cry Baby, closing her set with the standout “Is It Worth It,” which drew warm applause and solidified her as one to watch.
At 9 p.m. sharp, the main event began. Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge, the duo known as NxWorries, took the stage to thunderous cheers. Positioned on an elevated setup with a massive screen as their backdrop, Knxwledge stood above Paak — the musical architect orchestrating the night’s soundscape — while Paak commanded the stage below.
They launched into “ThankU,” immediately followed by “Wngs,” “Get Bigger,” and “Kutless.” From the start, the chemistry was magnetic. The crowd sang every lyric as if in a collective trance, creating an atmosphere that felt closer to a spiritual revival than a concert. Paak, ever the charismatic frontman, led the room like a preacher, shouting “Yes Lawd!” as fans echoed in response.
The setlist drew from across NxWorries’ catalog, weaving older favorites with tracks from their latest project. A memorable moment came when Rae Khalil returned for a duet of “Out the Way,” showcasing an easy, infectious chemistry. Later, Paak showered the crowd with roses — a cinematic gesture that perfectly matched the night’s vibrant energy.
During intermission, Knxwledge transformed the stage into a nostalgic fever dream. His DJ set — filled with remixes of R&B and hip-hop classics from H-Town to Anita Baker — played beneath visuals of animated characters like Homer Simpson and Spider-Man dancing on the screen. The sequence felt like flipping through Adult Swim commercials at midnight — playful, surreal, and hypnotic.
This tour marks NxWorries’ first headlining world run, and that significance showed. After intermission, Paak reemerged in all white, wearing a crown that symbolized both confidence and celebration. The second half was pure release. He tore through “Link Up,” “Droogs,” and “Everybody Gets Down,” the latter featuring fans invited on stage to dance around him as Knxwledge spun effortlessly behind.
The night reached its euphoric peak as Knxwledge dropped a remix of Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” that melted seamlessly into “Daydreaming.” The crowd swayed like family at a backyard cookout — united, joyful, and completely lost in the groove.
As streamers and confetti burst overhead, NxWorries exited the stage to roaring applause. Moments later, chants from the crowd pulled them back for a final encore that included “Scared Money,” instantly transporting fans back to the Insecure era that first helped define their sound.
What NxWorries accomplished in Houston was more than a concert — it was a celebration of craft, connection, and community. Anderson .Paak’s boundless charisma and Knxwledge’s sonic precision created an experience that was equal parts performance and communion. The “Why Lawd?” tour is proof that when art and authenticity meet, the result is nothing short of transcendent.