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.
Jadakiss, Styles P, and Sheek Louch. These are the three men that make up one of New York’s most prominent rap groups, The LOX. For nearly 30 years, all three blue collar-esque MCs have stuck together all this time. Jadakiss revealed the underrated reason for their lasting comraderie on Instagram several months ago via a picture of the group praying together. The comments were in total agreement, “Nothing beats prayer ”. “ praying together LOVEEEE”, another user added. Speaking of keeping that chemistry close, what helps build that is performing on a consistent basis. That is exactly what The LOX went ahead did by putting their talents on full display on the Tiny Desk stage.
According to the creators of this platform, NPR, this is the first time that they have done a show with a live band. When this news was announced, a lot of people were sharing their excitement for what The LOX could potentially bring. Former NBA and New York Knicks superstar Carmelo Anthony was one of them, simply saying, “Can’t wait”. Additionally, previous NFL stud receiver for the New York Giants, Victor Cruz also chimed in, “Nah I might have to set an alarm for this one”.
The LOX’s Chemistry & Love Of Performing Is On Full Display
If these two haven’t checked it out yet, they will certainly not be disappointed in The LOX when they do. Despite a different and more chill atmosphere, Sheek, Jada, and Styles managed to bring their street toughness to Tiny Desk. As the usual format goes, they played their biggest hits. “All for the Love”, “Recognize”, “Good Love”, and “Good Times” kicked things off in the first leg. Then, “By Your Side”, “Kiss Your A** Goodbye”, “Money, Power & Respect”, and “We Gonna Make It” rounded things out.
What are your thoughts on the Tiny Desk performance that The LOX put on? Is the best one of the year so far, why or why not? Which rendition did you enjoy the most? Do they deserve even more recognition than they receive as an all-time hip-hop group? We would like to hear what you have to say, so leave your thoughts in the comments. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding The LOX. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.
Flo Milli is the latest artist to join the Tiny Desk Concert series as NPR highlights nine Black female artists for Black Music Month. The sixteen-minute video features Milli performing with a live band and two backup singers for the first time, delivering stripped-down versions of six songs, including her hit “Never Lose Me.”
Global retailer Foot Locker is back with the latest installment of its ‘Start with Sneakers’ campaign, featuring chart-topping rapper and BET “Best New Artist” nominee Flo Milli. The campaign highlights Foot Locker’s commitment to expanding its women’s business through talent integrations, trendy product assortments, and in-person activations throughout 2024.
‘Start with Sneakers’ aims to showcase the season’s new trends by demonstrating that sneakers are the foundation for countless fashionable outfits and styles. The campaign, which authentically connects with women through trend-forward content, reflects the influence of social media on fashion trends for Gen Z consumers.
In the latest installment, titled ‘The Striper Within,’ Flo Milli models kicks-inspired New Balance outfits while embodying the campaign’s message of starting styling with sneakers. The campaign highlights Foot Locker’s range of options for women, from classic New Balance sneakers to the latest innovations, catering to every style and occasion.
The ‘Start with Sneakers’ campaign rollout will continue throughout the summer, featuring previous brand ambassador Coi Leray, upcoming in-person activations, and more. This campaign follows Foot Locker’s recent announcement of a reinvented store concept, including an enhanced in-store shopping experience for women, reinforcing its commitment to serving its diverse customer base.
Chaka Khan, the “Queen of Funk,” delighted fans at the Tiny Desk with a rendition of her hit “Sweet Thing,” where the audience’s enthusiastic participation underscored her enduring influence on music. Emerging in the 1970s with the funk band Rufus, Khan’s career boasts 22 albums, 10 Grammy Awards, and collaborations with icons like Prince, Stevie Wonder, and Quincy Jones. Her 50-year journey in the music industry was recently celebrated with her 2023 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The performance began with guitarist Rob Bacon on the talk box, accompanied by bassist Melvin Davis and drummer Jay Williams, setting the stage for a funky rendition of “Tell Me Something Good.” The office audience couldn’t resist grooving to classics like “What Cha’ Gonna Do For Me” and “Ain’t Nobody.” Tiffany Smith, one of Khan’s backing vocalists, was impressed with her delivery of the challenging moments in “Sweet Thing.”
To close the show, Khan performed “I’m Every Woman,” an anthem written by Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson that has empowered women for decades. The song was a perfect finale for a month celebrating Black women’s contributions to music, showcasing Khan’s powerful voice and timeless appeal.
The performance featured a talented ensemble, including Melvin Davis on bass, Jesse Milliner on keys, Rob Bacon on guitar, Euro Zambrano on percussion, Jay Williams on drums, and backing vocals from Audrey Wheeler-Downing, Tiffany Smith, and Trina Broussard. The Tiny Desk team, led by producers Bobby Carter and Mitra I. Arthur, delivered a flawless production, with Joshua Bryant directing and editing and Neil Tevault managing the audio. Chaka Khan’s Tiny Desk concert reaffirmed her status as a musical legend, connecting with fans through her powerful and soulful performances.
The NPR Tiny Desk has served as a unqiue stage for many rappers and singers to show off their skills. Artists like Tyler, The Creator, Mac Miller, and Anderson .Paak have all made memorable appearances behind the titular desk. There’s been an extremely impressive roster of bands and artists to play behind the desk over the years. During the COVID-19 pandemic they even creatively shifted the series to memorable at-home additions from artists like Young Thug and Clipping. Now, R&B darling Willow is the latest to take the iconic stage.
For her performance she dipped back into her discography and delivered a career-spanning set. She played a trio of songs set to land on her upcoming album including “Symptom Of Life,” “Run,” and “Big Feelings.” In between, she dipped into her 2022 album COPINGMECHANISM for the song “Split.” After that she went all the way back to her 2015 debut album ARDIPITHECUS for a special performance of the fan-favorite “Wait A Minute.” She did it all with the help of a lively four piece band. The video is already racking up hundreds of thousands of views and is currently trending on YouTube.
Willow is gearing up to release a new album later this year. “symptom of life” isn’t the only song she’s shared from the project so far. Last year she dropped “alone” back in November which has racked up more than 3 million streams on Spotify. Just last month she dropped “b i g f e e l i n g s” which is well on its way to matching those numbers with nearly 1.5 million streams in less than a month.
2023 was the first year since 2018 that Willow didn’t drop a new studio album following three solo releases and her collaborative project THE ANXIETY. What do you think of Willow’s newly released Tiny Desk Concert? Did you expect her to pull songs from so far back in her discography to perform? Let us know in the comment section below.
NE-YO, the acclaimed singer-songwriter, and three-time Grammy Award winner graced NPR’s Tiny Desk with a captivating performance. The intimate set showcased a blend of classics, unreleased gems, and hits he penned for other iconic artists. It featured NE-YO’s dynamic chart-toppers like “So Sick,” “Sexy Love,” “Because of You,” and “Miss Independent.”
Amidst the classics and fan favorites, NE-YO unveiled a touching new unreleased song titled “Two Million Secrets,” offering a glimpse into his vulnerability and emotional depth as an artist.
NE-YO’s Tiny Desk performance was a testament to his enduring influence in the music industry, highlighting his ability to deliver soulful performances that resonate with audiences across generations.
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.
The Detroit legend stopped by NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts for a special show. In a 25-minute performance, rapper Big Sean ran through his catalog, which contains an abundance of hits.
Sean opened with “Memories Part II” from his debut album, Finally Famous: The Album, which then made for a smooth transition into “Nothing Is Stopping You” from his sophomore album, Hall Of Fame. After performing this song, Sean shared an anecdote about this particular album. Although Hall Of Fame didn’t perform as well as Finally Famous, this motivated Sean to step up his craft.
“It was a stressful time for me, because when my second album dropped, it didn”t do as well as my first album,” said Sean. “And people was like ‘Oh, sophomore slump, it’s over for him. And then I was able to lock in and make my third album, which was Dark Sky Paradise, which is one of my biggest albums. So the point of even bringing that up is like, don’t let people place their curse on you of what they want you to be, or who they think you are.”
He proceeded to perform the Dark Sky Paradise fan-favorites “Blessed” and “Play No Games”
Of course, he threw it back with some of his breakthrough hits, including “My Last,” “Marvin And Chardonnay,” and his iconic verse from his Drake collaboration “All Me.” Elsewhere in the concert, he gave a triumphant performance of one of his biggest hits, “Bounce Back.” He closed with one of his most recognizable tracks, “I Don’t F*ck With You.”
Hearing these songs in stripped-back, acoustic renditions allowed for fans to focus on Sean’s sharp lyricism. Though Sean is often left out of GOAT conversations, his catalog proves that he warrants consideration.
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.