In May, Kamasi Washington released Fearless Movement, which was a long time coming: The project was Washington’s first album since 2018’s Heaven And Earth. Now, with a fresh album to promote, he has taken his talents to NPR’s iconic Tiny Desk Concert series.
His four-song setlist featured “Lesanu,” “Street Fighter Mas,” “The Rhythm Changes,” and “Asha The First.” Of particular note is one of Washington’s band members: Rickey Washington, a flutist, soprano saxophonist, and Kamasi’s father. Kamasi himself was in top form, as he’s fresh off a tour in support of the new album.
Washington previously calledFearless Movement his “dance album,” saying, “It’s not literal. Dance is movement and expression, and in a way it’s the same thing as music — expressing your spirit through your body. That’s what this album is pushing.” He also said, “Being a father means the horizon of your life all of a sudden shows up. My mortality became more apparent to me, but also my immortality — realizing that my daughter is going to live on and see things that I’m never going to see. I had to become comfortable with this, and that affected the music that I was making.”
Check out Washington’s full Tiny Desk performance above.
Anderson .Paak and The Free Nationals will celebrate his January 2016 album Malibu with a tour of the same name. Anderson will perform Malibu in its entirety for each of the 14 shows, beginning on September 18 in Bend, Oregon.
Malibu is not the only remnant from 2016 that Anderson .Paak wants to keep alive in 2024.
On Thursday, August 22, Anderson .Paak announced that his 2016 NPR Tiny Desk concert with The Free Nationals will be released as a limited-edition vinyl. The 15-minute performance has accumulated over 108.8 million views on YouTube since it premiered on August 22, 2016.
“Thank you Tiny Desk for the beautiful platform and for giving us our most viral performance on the web, and thanks to everyone that it has reached and inspired in some way,” the eight-time Grammy winner said in a statement, as per press release. “We hope you enjoy this exclusive vinyl release of the performance that changed everything for me and my band.”
The limited-edition vinyl is available to order here for $35 on Anderson .Paak’s official website.
“Featuring The Free Nationals, the performance includes four of Anderson’s most iconic tracks — “Come Down,” “Heart Don’t Stand a Chance,” “Put Me Thru,” and “Suede” — with all four tracks spread onto a Side A and Side B,” the official product listing says.
Side A and Side B will each play at 33 1/3 RPM. Side A will feature “Come Down” and “Heart Don’t Stand A Chance,” leaving “Put Me Thru” and “Suede” for Side B.
Watch Anderson .Paak and The Free Nationals’ August 2016 NPR Tiny Desk above, and see their upcoming tour dates below.
09/18 – Bend, OR @ Hayden Homes Amphitheater
09/19 – Auburn, WA @ White River Amphitheatre
09/21 – Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre
09/24 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl
09/26 – Santa Barbara, CA @ Santa Barbara Bowl
09/27 – Phoenix, AZ @ Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
09/28 – Las Vegas, NV @ Fontainebleau Las Vegas
10/02 – Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre
10/04 – Chicago, IL @ Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
10/05 – Sterling Heights, MI @ Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre
10/08 – Philadelphia, PA @ TD Pavilion at The Mann
10/09 – Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavilion
10/11 – Wantagh, NY @ Northwell at Jones Beach Theater
10/13 – Atlanta, GA @ Lakewood Amphitheatre
Even though it is not one of the biggest stages in music literally speaking, the NPR Tiny Desk is certainly one figurately. Over the course of about 16 years, hundreds upon hundreds of stars and legends have brought some of their best stuff to the platform. The iconic Washington D.C. locale in turn has provided with some truly memorable moments in pop culture. One thing that the producers do extremely well over there is that they are always welcoming to so many genres and artists of all walks of life. In June, the NPR Tiny Desk team is doing just that with their third annual “Black Music Month” series.
This event may ring a bell to people who remember Usher’s unforgettable performance. It gave us the hilarious “Hey. Oh. Hey. Watch this,” meme and the video is up to 23 million views. But this celebration is more than just for giggles. NPR has made a conscious effort to help bring attention to some of the industry’s influential voices and rising stars from the Black community. This time around, Tiny Desk producer and host, Bobby Carter, wanted to shed light on the talented women.
“We’re giving the ladies their flowers! We’re releasing nine Tiny Desk concerts from Black women who’ve paved the way… and others who are carving out their own paths”. All of them are queens in their own right who represent a beautiful array of genres, generations and walks of life”. According to HipHopDX, those nine women are Flo Milli, Tems, Tierra Whack, and Chaka Khan. Then, people will also get to see Kierra Sheard, Lakecia Benjamin, Meshell Ndegeocello, Brittney Spencer, and SWV. The Black Music Month celebration is already underway as of today (June 3), as Tems’ performance is already up.
What are your thoughts on the lineup of artists for the NPR Black Music Month series? Do you think that this will be the best year for the monthly celebration, why or why not? Out of all of the names, who are you most excited for and why? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding NPR’s Tiny Desk. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.
Big Sean recently took his behind-the-mic talent to NPR’s famous Tiny Desk for a 25-minute-long performance that scans memories from his entire catalog. Despite the rapper catching some bad press in recent years for feuding with the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Kanye West, Sean is definitely overdue to receive his flowers, with many fans taking to the comments section on the YouTube video to express support for the Detroit MC. With 14 tracks dating back nearly two decades, there’s plenty of material to reflect on during Big Sean’s Tiny Desk performance. Let’s take a moment to examine the event and review the material therein.
Big Sean’s Energy Is Radiant During The Live Performance
Like many rappers who have showcased their talent in the NPR offices, Big Sean brought a full band to the Tiny Desk performance, complete with angelic backup vocalists, a drummer, and full keyboard and string sections. In wide shots, it appears as though Sean is flanked by a full dozen collaborators, who bring his music to life with a powerful aura. Likewise, Big Sean is clearly in his element during the performance, with his melodic vocal passages sailing through the room much smoother than in previous outings.
Between tracks, Sean counts his blessings, offering fans a look into the highs and lows of his career. After a lively and soulful performance of the 2013 track “Nothing Is Stopping You,” Sean breaks from rapping to explain, “That was the intro on my second album, and I remember it was a stressful time for me because when my second album dropped it didn’t do as well as my first album… And then I was able to lock in and make my third album… which was one of my biggest albums.” Throughout the show, Big Sean praises god, smiles from ear to ear, and provides listeners with positive affirmations.
The Performance Elevates Sean’s Material
Fans of Big Sean will surely appreciate his Tiny Desk performance, as it takes some of the rapper’s more lackluster tracks and breathes new life into them with live instrumentation and renewed passion. Sean even recognizes the roots of the songs by shouting out the original producers, even offering his own “If young Metro don’t trust you I’m gon’ shoot you” just before launching into the opening verse of “Bounce Back.” Even those who don’t typically enjoy Big Sean’s music should give this performance a shot, as it might just turn haters into fans and fans turn into super-fans. The lively response of the NPR office staff, who break into massive applause multiple times throughout the Tiny Desk show, further demonstrates this.
Sean’s transitions belong in the hall of fame, seamlessly blending tracks from 2011 with tracks from 2018 as though they came off the same project. The best thing Big Sean could do following this Tiny Desk show is find a way to port these live performances onto streaming platforms immediately. Sean has a new album poised to drop sometime this year. If performances like this are any indication of what we can expect from the new project, it may be some of his finest work yet.
Following the release of his first solo track in two years, “Precision,” multi-platinum artist Big Sean graces the iconic NPR Tiny Desk Concert stage today. Backed by a talented ensemble, Big Sean offers a retrospective of his musical journey, seamlessly blending hits from his illustrious career.
From early favorites like “Memories” to chart-toppers such as “Blessings” and “Bounce Back,” Big Sean captivates with his masterful lyricism and quick wit. The performance reaches a poignant crescendo as the proud father premieres a teaser of his upcoming track, “On Up,” dedicated to his son, celebrating the joys of fatherhood.
Big Sean’s NPR Tiny Desk Concert showcases his musical legacy and evolution as an artist and a parent, leaving a lasting impression on audiences worldwide.
Big Sean ignited the music scene again with his latest single and video, “Precision,” now available via Def Jam Recordings. This release marks his first solo venture in two years, signaling the start of a new chapter for the rap sensation.
“Precision” showcases Big Sean’s signature lyrical prowess, delivered with rapid-fire precision over a dynamic blend of soulful samples and infectious beats. The accompanying music video adds visual flair to the track’s energetic vibe.
In addition to the single, Big Sean treats fans to a personal VLOG titled “Clarity,” offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into his creative process and personal journey. Through intimate footage and reflections, the VLOG sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting season for Big Sean, hinting at the depth and innovation in his latest musical endeavors.
If you have not been keeping tabs on Big Sean lately you might want to start hopping back on the bandwagon again. The proud Detroit, Michigan native has been quite silent since the release of Detroit 2 back in 2020. He did collaborate with Hit-Boy for a six-track EP What You Expect in 2021. But outside of a small dose of features, the hitmaker has been taking his time getting back into it. Last week though, it was clear that the rapper was on a mission. He put out two incredible tracks, “Anderson Estate Freestyle” on Instagram, and the ruthless braggadocious single “Precision.” To keep up the momentum, Big Sean made his first-ever appearance on NPR’s Tiny Desk.
He put on one of the longest shows ever, performing 14 songs. Sean went through his entire catalog, giving the live audience a look into each era of his music. From tracks like “One Man Can Change The World,” to “Beware” and “Bounce Back,” Big Sean definitely wanted to showcase his range. After performing “Nothing Is Stopping You” from you his second album Hall Of Fame, the MC took the time to give some background on his situation at the time, which was a difficult one for him.
Big Sean Is Making 2024 His Year With This Tiny Desk Performance
“It was a stressful time for me because when my second album dropped it didn’t do as well as my first,” Sean said. “People was like, ‘sophomore slump its over for him,’ countin’ me out crazy. Then I was able to lock in and make my third album which was Dark Sky Paradise which was one of my biggest albums.” Big Sean then left the fans with some inspiring words before hopping into “Blessings” from that aforementioned LP. “The point of bringing that up is that don’t let people place they curse on you of what they want you to be or of who they think you are… wherever you at… there’s always a path to get to where you gotta go and anything you go through you grow through.”
What are your thoughts on Big Sean’s NPR Tiny Desk appearance? Did he curate a good setlist, or did he leave some key tracks out? What was your favorite rendition and why? Are you excited for him to possibly drop a new album this year? Are you bumping his latest single “Precision?” We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Big Sean and Tiny Desk. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on around the world of music.
Jeezy has taken over NPR’s Tiny Desk to hold you down at your desk.
Jeezy The Snowman hit the famed NPR desk with a band to perform in front of a crowd of Howard University students. During his set, Sno touched on Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101, performing classics like “Air Forces,” “Standing Ovation,” and more.
The South reigned supreme for over two decades with cities like Houston, Atlanta, New Orleans, and Memphis engraining their timeless sounds into the 50-year-old genre. Fortunately, platforms like NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series have allowed us to appreciate the musical compositions of the South’s finest with a bit more intimacy. This week, trap pioneer Jeezy delivered a pint-size powerhouse set of bangers during his concert, fleshing out the gritty and motivational trap hits with the help of a string section that added a poignant touch to songs like “Standing Ovation” and accentuating the eloquence of trap anthems such as “Go Crazy.”
For hip-hop trailblazers, the NPR Tiny DeskConcert series is a moment that allows them to reimagine the classic records to reflect their current reality. The undertones of trap music, in particular, are equal parts motivational and grim; a reflection of the bleak realities that inspire the music and the aspirations to be removed from said environments. Ultimately, these performances allow our rap icons and their catalogs to shine in a new form, one that pays respects to their roots and their artistic growth and evolution simultaneously.
In the wake of Jeezy’s excellent Tiny Desk Concert performance, we’re taking a look at some of the most iconic performances from some legendary Southern rappers that we encourage you to revisit right now.
Gucci Mane
If there’s anyone who could take the NPR offices to the trap, it’s Gucci Mane. In 2016, shortly after his release from prison, Wop, alongside his day-one collaborator Zaytoven, delivered an iconic Tiny Desk Concert performance that felt like a warm return. The short set consisted of three songs, “First Day Out,” “Waybach” and “Last Time” – newer entries in his catalog at the time but three records that undoubtedly captivated the masses upon his release. Unlike most Tiny Desk performances, Wop kept the live instrumentation minimal, opting to use fully recorded versions of his songs as backing tracks while Zaytoven played the keys over top of them. For anyone else, it would be considered amateur but for Gucci Mane, it remained an iconic performance that further affirmed his position as a Trap God.
The possibilities of an Outkast reunion album are quite slim these days, though Big Boi’s remained active in keeping their catalog alive on stages across the world. In 2018, Daddy Fat Sax and Sleepy Brown of Organized Noize came through with a few Outkast classics during Big Boi’s Tiny Desk Concert performance, beginning with “So Fresh So Clean.” Then, Big Boi dived into “All Night” from Boomiverse before closing out with “The Way You Move” from Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. Big Boi reworked these classic records with the help of trumpet players, a turntablist, a drummer, a guitarist, and a bassist to exceptional results.
There’s a duality in Rick Ross’s sound: the grimy trap and the lush orchestral productions that became synonymous with Maybach Music Group. Yet, he’s always found ways to bridge the gaps between these two incredibly distinctive production choices, as evidenced in his Tiny DeskConcert performance in 2021. Still amid the pandemic, Rick Ross delivered a legendary performance at the gallery space of Miami artist Rich B Caliente. DJ Sam Sneak held it down on the ones and twos but it was the live band that helped deliver Ross’ catalog in a new dimension, from the backup vocalist’s rendition of the “Aston Martin Music” hook to the band’s high-energy on songs like “BMF” and “I’m Not A Star.” Although confined due to COVID-19 restrictions, Rick Ross certainly went above and beyond expectations during his Tiny Desk Concert performance.
Could this list even make sense without mentioning the ever-legendary Scarface? A groundbreaking MC and a consummate instrumentalist, the Houston MC delivered one of the best Tiny Desk performances ever (regardless of genre) in late 2023. Although he had already begun teasing his retirement the year prior, the lush, bluesy, and soulful performance highlighted his illustrious catalog. Serving as the “conductor” of the show, he reunited with Mike Dean and enlisted a full band to help revise iconic records like “Smile” and breeze through some of Scarface’s most iconic hits throughout the eras, from Geto Boys’ “Mind Playing Tricks On Me” to “I Seen A Man.”
After demands for a Tiny DeskConcert with Juvenile, the rapper emphatically shut down the request on Twitter in the funniest way imaginable. “Wtf is a tiny desk [laughing emoji] and no [laughing emoji] [laughing emoji],” he tweeted in response. The tweet rippled across social media and serendipitously led to his iconic performance, where he paid respects to the rich history in his stomping grounds, New Orleans.
Accompanied by the backbone of the Cash Money sound, Mannie Fresh, Juvenile delivered a set that celebrated and commemorated second-line music. With plenty of brass instruments, such as trumpets, trombones, and saxophones, along with musical direction from Jon Batiste, Juvenile delivered a refreshing twist to iconic records like “Ha,” “Slow Motion,” “Back That Azz Up,” and the Hot Boys’ “I Need A Hot Girl.” In fact, it was such an exhilarating set that it led to the first-ever encore at a Tiny Desk concert — a remarkable feat for an artist who didn’t even know that the platform existed months prior.
Jeezy’s status in hip-hop lore is firmly established at this point in his career. The icon from Atlanta has done his due diligence and paved the way for so many trap artists. His dedication to feeding the genre and the fans is something that has to be respected. There are not many like Jeezy still going today and it is much appreciated. About two weeks ago, he shared some photos from his NPRTiny Desk appearance on his X (Twitter) account. “Let me take y’all on a journey… #tinydesk,” he wrote to his followers. All of them were undoubtedly excited as and emojis filled his comment section.
Well, that day has finally come. According to Uproxx, you can check out the full concert on YouTube right now. During his roughly 24-minute-long show, Jeezy played six of his most memorable songs as follows. “Standing Ovation,” “Air Forces,” “Bottom Of The Map,” “And Then What,” “Go Crazy, and “Everythang,” wound up making the final cut.
Jeezy Brings His Trap Classics To The Tiny Desk Stage
Besides bringing tons of energy, Jeezy was also handing out nuggets of wisdom, according to Yahoo. “Y’all could see how I got from there to here to Tiny Desk. I used to stand on a tiny porch, but if you stay with your dreams and stand on your business, you could get anywhere.” Right after that he jumped into “Standing Ovation,” a fitting track to the message he shared moments before. Before ending things, Jeezy had one last thing to share. “This has been Tiny Desk, this has been my story… Y’all keep this positivity going.” We will, Jeezy, we sure will.
What are your thoughts on Jeezy’s NPR Tiny Desk performance? Is this the best outing from a rapper on this platform, why or why not? Is he the G.O.A.T. of trap music, why or why not? What was your favorite part of the show and why? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Jeezy. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on around the world of music.
Before hitting the road for her BB/Ang3l Tour, Tinashe was sure to make a quick pit spot at NPR Music’s headquarters. After initially being teased two weeks ago, the “Needs” singer’s NPR Tiny Desk Concert performance is available for your viewing pleasure.
In no stretch is this a typical Tinashe set, as the cramped space does allow much room for movement. But that actually worked in Tinashe’s favor. As she opened her set with “Treason” off her latest album, viewers at home are forced to give in to Tinashe’s vocal abilities. The transition between “Unconditional” (which appeared on her 2021 project 333) and her 2019 6lack collaboration “Touch & Go” (off Songs For You) paints the many facets of Tinashe.
Of course, the performance couldn’t end without Tinashe’s first big hit, 2014’s “2 On,” which featured Schoolboy Q. The stripped approach made it an interesting experience. During the performance, Tinashe was accompanied by a band of extremely talented musicians, including drummer Darion Ja’Von, electric guitarist Zach Fenske, bassist Edwin Carranza, keyboardist Phil Lewis, acoustic guitarist Sean Rosati, cellist Caleb Vaughn-Jones, and violinist Crystal Alforque. Even Tinashe chimed in to play the vibraphone for a moment or two.
Tinashe’s NPR Tiny Desk Concert set is available for viewing on NPR Music’s website. Find more information here.
Tinashe is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
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emojis filled his comment section. 