NPR Audio is celebrating Black Music Month with an array of brand new Very small Desk concert events. Together, these artists depict the past, present and upcoming of Black music. This month of cautiously curated displays is a celebration of Black artists expressing on their own in means we have under no circumstances seen ahead of, and of the Little Desk’s unique way of showcasing that talent.
“WTF is a Tiny Desk and no!” are the phrases that led to 1 of the most publicized journeys any musician has taken to get to NPR headquarters. That was Juvenile’s reaction to Twitter consumer @theylovemyke’s request for him to perform a Very small Desk live performance back again in April. His reaction ignited Black Twitter, launching a barrage of tweets and reposts of preferred performances at the Desk, as fans implored the “T.C. soldier” to rethink. His viral reconsideration led to a couple DMs, which led to a few mobile phone calls, and the date was set. Juve, like some rappers in his course, had in no way heard of our small nook in Washington, D.C., but he quickly discovered out.
The strain to produce was palpable in the scheduling stages but as the band was assembled, my anticipations have been exceeded. Little Desk alumni and New Orleans natives Trombone Shorty and Alvin Ford have been introduced into the fold. One more Small Desk vet from New Orleans, Jon Batiste, flew in from London just to be a part of the established. Juvenile sourced The Amours from suitable below in D.C. to deal with qualifications vocals, along with string gamers from the Louisiana Philharmonic for the grand finale. The architect of the Juvenile/Money Cash Documents seem, DJ Mannie Contemporary, became the glue that pieced it all with each other. The consequence was just one of the most rambunctious ordeals at the Desk. The Incredibly hot Boy coasted through highlights from a many years-lengthy, groundbreaking job, concluding with a performance of “Again That Azz Up,” so exuberant that the viewers demanded an encore and the band obliged. A Very small Desk 1st.
Set List
- “Intro (feat. Mannie Fresh new)”
- “400 Degreez (feat. Mannie New)”
- “Bling Bling (feat. Mannie Refreshing)”
- “Ha”
- “Established It Off”
- “Sluggish Motion”
- “Rodeo (feat. The Amours)”
- “I Require A Warm Girl (feat. Mannie Fresh new)”
- “Challenge Bitch (feat. Mannie Fresh)”
- “Back again That Azz Up (feat. Mannie New)”
MUSICIANS
- Juvenile: vocals
- Mannie Refreshing: vocals, effects, keys
- Alvin Ford: music director/drums
- Josh Connelly: guitar
- DJ Raymond: bass
- Brandon Butler: keys
- BK Jackson: saxophone
- Trombone Shorty: trombone
- Kevin Woods: trumpet
- Jon Batiste: melodica
- Jakiya Ayanna: vocals
- Shaina Aisha: vocals
- Hannah Yim: violin
- Jake Fowler: cello
Little DESK Team
- Producer: Bobby Carter
- Director/Editor: Joshua Bryant
- Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin
- Artistic Director: Bob Boilen
- Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Kara Body, Maia Stern, Sofia Seidel, Michael Zamora
- Audio Assistant: Kwesi Lee
- Output Assistant: Ashley Pointer
- Small Desk Group: Suraya Mohamed, Hazel Cills
- Photographer: Catie Boring
- VP, Visuals and Audio: Keith Jenkins
- Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann