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.
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.
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.
Jeezy has an impressive reach both within hip-hop and beyond. That influence was on display when he was invited to perform at a 42 Dugg show last month. The rapper was celebrating his release with a massive homecoming show that featured a star-studded roster of guest performers. Meek Mill, Lil Baby, Yo Gotti, GloRilla, Lil Durk, and of course, Jeezy himself, all made appearances during the concert.
Now he’s got yet another unique performance on the way that fans are hyped for. He’s taking on one of the most unique and sought after venues in all of music, the NPR Tiny Desk. “Let me take y’all on a journey… #tinydesk” he tweeted in a post accompanied by some pictures of him and his band at the titular desk. The post led fans in the comments to speculate on what he might have performed while there. He marks the most recent in a long series of rappers to take the Tin Desk stage. Artists like Saba, Noname, Anderson .Paak, and Chance The Rapper have racked up massive acclaim for their performances in the legendarily small space. Check out the teaser Jeezy shared below.
The biggest story in Jeezy’s life for the past few months has been his divorce from Jeannie Mae. The debate sparked when he was accused of infidelity. Fans dug up a clause in the legal paperwork from their divorce that made it seem like he paid out extra for violating a cheating clause. Despite the evidence fans dug up he completely denied the allegations of any infidelity.
Jeezy also accused Mae of being a “gatekeeper” between him and his daughter. In her response to the accusation she claimed that she was just prioritizing their daughters safety and acting in her best interest with her protective moves. What do you think of Jeezy performing at the NPR Tiny Desk? What songs do you hope he delivered for his performance? Let us know in the comment section below.
Jay “Jeezy” Jenkins has quite a resume on him. Jeezy, a rapper who has sold 5 million albums, has launched spirit brands, opened a steakhouse, and published a book, will soon be able to celebrate another career milestone. Earlier this week, Jeezy took to social media, to show fans photos from behind the scenes of an NPR Tiny Desk Concert he recently taped.
In the photos, Jeezy is seen front and center, accompanied by a live instrumentalist band. At the time of writing, it is unclear when Jeezy’s Tiny Desk Concert will drop on YouTube and NPR. However, fans are certainly excited to tune in.
“I already know jeezy Tiny desk concert gone be smooth,” said one fan on Twitter.
I already know jeezy Tiny desk concert gone be smooth
Over the past two decades, Jeezy has maintained a steady flow of music. Last year, he released a 29-track album called I Might Forgive… But I Don’t Forget. But some of his biggest hits dropped back in the mid-2000s, including his Akon collaboration “Soul Survivor” and his Kanye West collab “Put On.”
“I really hope Jeezy don’t get on Tiny Desk and do new music,” said one Twitter user.
i really hope Jeezy don’t get on Tiny Desk and do new music
But other fans look forward to hearing Jeezy go through his extensive catalog, knowing the man has hits for days.
.@Jeezy will perform at an upcoming @NPR Tiny Desk concert!! This is gonna be legendary. Long overdue. I’m ready to hear songs from projects like TM101, The Inspiration, & Trap Or Die on here! I have more info on Hip-HopVibe.https://t.co/jzwLwTvINh
NPR‘s Tiny Desk is where artists go to show that with all the theatrics of their performances stripped back, they’re still very talented. Just this year artists like Ab-Soul, Action Bronson, and most recently Post Malone have taken to the stage. The next one to take the iconic stage was Chloe Bailey who is no stranger to dazzling fans with her raw voice. Earlier this year she took to Twitter to share a cover of one of the biggest hit songs of the year. Her version of “fukumean” caught fire online and reminded fans just how gifted of a vocal talent she really is.
She reminded fans once again with her new Tiny Desk performance. For the show, she began with her 2022 single “Surprise” before running through a number of songs from her debut album In Pieces. That included two singles “Body Do” and the title track “In Pieces.” As well as three deep cuts “I Don’t Mind,” “Worried,” and “Cheatback.” The performance featured Chloe’s vocals and 7 other musicians playing guitars, keys, trumpets, and more. You can check out the entire thing below.
While Chloe’s fans ate up her Gunna cover, not everyone was a fan. DJ Akademiks didn’t take it so well, going on a live-streamed rant taking shots at many artists including Chloe. “That sh*t trash” he said in regards to her viral cover. His reaction garnered quite a bit of backlash from R&B fans online.
Chloe is currently on tour supporting her debut solo album In Pieces which dropped earlier this year. While the album has its fans, it made an underwhelming chart debut. Her album sold just 10k copies in its first week and debuted at #119 on the Billboard 200. It’s a pretty far drop off from the numbers she achieved with her sister as the duo Chloe x Halle. What do you think of Chloe Bailey’s new NPR Tiny Desk concert? Let us know in the comment section below.
(@destinymakiyah) 
Long overdue. I’m ready to hear songs from projects like TM101, The Inspiration, & Trap Or Die on here! I have more info on Hip-HopVibe.
(@YuriyATL)