NCT’S TAEYONG joins forces with Anderson .Paak for bold single 'Rock Solid' with Y2K inspired MV — watch

Fresh off completing his military service, NCT’s TAEYONG is back and gearing up toward the release of his anticipated solo album that's arriving this May. Giving fans a glimpse into what the album has to offer, TAEYONG teams up with iconic Anderson .Paak for a charismatic hip-hop track that blends the Grammy winner's funky groove and TAEYONG's standout vocal prowess.

With an addictive bassline and prominent drum beats, the track has a unique beat pattern that makes it that much more hypnotic. The infectious confidence of both TAEYONG and Paak shines bright on the track. TAEYONG blends both English and Korean lyrics as he effortlessly rhymes each line and spits electrifying vocals. With lyrics such as "Why would I crash out, call me your highness," and "Back with the bosses, back in the office", the song is a bold and unapologetic statement of TAEYONG's resilience as he establishes his identity outside of his role in NCT. Anderson .Paak adds to the track with his rough and dynamic vocals that create a dynamic layer to the track's already rich tone. Drawing together Korean and Western sensibilities, the track blends genres as it challenges the idea of the classic hip-hop sound.

The accompanying music video feels like it’s straight out of MTV in the 90s or early 2000s, complete with camcorder-style visuals as TAEYONG and Anderson .Paak perform the track in fur, animal prints, and studded jeans, channelling the era’s signature aesthetic. The featured characters also appear as if they’ve been pulled from the early 2000s, styled in cheetah prints and bold, vibrant outfits throughout. The result feels like archived Y2K-era footage brought back to life.

TAEYONG shares more about the collaboration as he states, "I’ve wanted to work with Anderson for a long time, and this track felt like the perfect way to bring our styles together,” says TAEYONG about the collaboration. “Shooting the music video was also so much fun, he’s someone who’s always pushing creative boundaries, and that energy really inspired me to do the same."

With 'Rock Solid (feat. Anderson .Paak)', TAEYONG further refines his artistic direction, reaffirming his versatility and creative control as he steps into a more defined solo identity. Serving as a bold prelude to his upcoming full-length album, the track underscores his evolution beyond group work, while setting the tone for a new chapter shaped by experimentation, confidence, and global collaboration.