Drum Sheet – Bruno Mars – Anderson Paak – Silk Sonic – Skate

Released in July 2021, “Skate” by Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak (together known as Silk Sonic) is a sun-drenched, retro-inspired jam that brings pure joy to fans of rhythm, groove, and, especially, drums. From its very first beat, “Skate” stands out as a track driven by percussion — not just rhythmically, but emotionally. For drum enthusiasts, it’s a modern masterclass in vintage-feel pocket playing.

The idea for “Skate” came out of Silk Sonic’s goal to channel the lush, analog sound of 1970s soul, disco, and R&B, and to bring that warmth into the present. The group, led by Mars and .Paak, leaned heavily into live instrumentation, which is a defining feature of the entire An Evening with Silk Sonic project. With “Skate,” they wanted to capture the imagery and motion of roller skating — fluid, funky, and full of groove.

The drums in “Skate” were built around that vision. Anderson .Paak, a world-class drummer in his own right, crafted a laid-back yet impossibly tight groove that calls back to the greats of the ’70s. Think Al Green’s rhythm sections or Earth, Wind & Fire — but with a modern flair. The drums are clean, crisp, and mixed in a way that gives them room to breathe, perfectly balancing the funky bassline, lush strings, and Latin percussion elements like congas and shakers.

Composition-wise, Mars and .Paak wrote “Skate” during sessions where they were literally jamming live with a band. They’ve described these sessions as more “jam party” than structured studio takes — something that bleeds into the song’s infectious spontaneity. Much of the groove was honed through hours of vibing in the studio, capturing those “one-take magic” moments that feel like a live performance.

While “Skate” was released during the pandemic when live shows were rare, Silk Sonic performed it live at the 2021 iHeartRadio Music Awards, among other events. These performances emphasized just how important the drum groove is to the song’s feel — with .Paak often behind the kit, laying it down with effortless swagger.

For fans of drums, “Skate” is more than a song — it’s a throwback groove session that puts the beat front and center, proving that a well-played pocket can still steal the show.