NPR Music is celebrating Black Music Month with an array of brand new Tiny Desk concerts. Together, these artists represent the past, present and future of Black music. This month of carefully curated shows is a celebration of Black artists expressing themselves in ways we've never seen before, and of the Tiny Desk's unique way of showcasing that talent.

Bobby Carter | June 5, 2023
Charlie Wilson's Tiny Desk unexpectedly ran the gamut of emotions. His musical journey boasts some of the highest highs and fanfare for over 50 years. So much so, it's easy to forget what he's endured. His testimonial during a praise break reminded us that he's climbed through valleys about as deep as they get. "I went from rags to riches, riches to rags, then rags to the curb, the curb to homeless," he said. "Because I was an alcoholic and a crack cocaine addict! But I'm 28 years clean and sober!"

Flanked by a host of musicians, Wilson expressed the depth and breadth of his life and career, telling a tale of two Charlies. The Oklahoma native's success with The Gap Band, formed with his brothers Robert and Ronnie, began in the 1970s and stretched throughout the '80s. The group's many hits are classified as old-school funk and R&B, but it's the resurrection and connection with young hip-hop stars that make Charlie's story so compelling to me.

Snoop Dogg was the first to hop on board, coining him "Uncle Charlie" and featuring him on his second LP, Tha Doggfather in 1996. They've been frequent collaborators since, eventually landing the smash, "Beautiful," a few years later. From Kanye West to Tyler, The Creator, Nas, and more recently Don Toliver and Devin Morrison, Wilson has been hip-hop's secret sauce for decades. When I asked Uncle Charlie to explain the reason why he's such a draw in hip-hop, he said so much by simply stating: "I can sang!"

SET LIST
"Charlie, Last Name Wilson"
"Computer Love"
"There Goes My Baby"
"I'm Blessed"
"Yearning For Your Love"
"Sweet Yamz"
"Outstanding"

MUSICIANS
Charlie Wilson: vocals
Jor'el Quinn: vocals
Leah Thompson: vocals
Gia Wyre: vocals
Dodie: vocals
Angel Hines: vocals
Cordell Walton: keys, music director
Rain Man: drums
Alex Williams: guitar
Stephen Johnson: keys
Lawrence Washington: keys, bass
EQ: bass
Nick Wilczynski: saxophone

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Bobby Carter
Director/Editor: Joshua Bryant
Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Creative Director: Bob Boilen
Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Kara Frame, Sofia Seidel, Alanté Serene
Audio Assistant: Hannah Gluvna
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Maia Stern, Hazel Cills
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

#tinydesk #nprmusic #charliewilson

Recorded May 20, 2020: Join Tiffanie Lanelle as she appears on Unmuted Nation: The Cabinet. Tiffanie joins Alex Haynes and discusses states reopening while Blacks are still at risk.

'The Cabinet' is where it goes down. Alex Haynes convenes #TheCabinet to discuss the latest cultural, political and trending topics. Nothing is off limits and no stone is left unturned. Tiff Lanelle joins.

Unmuted Nation is a daily culture, entertainment & political TV show/podcast hosted by Alex Haynes on BossFM Radio's #TALK channel. Listen weekdays at 1p ET/10a ET on BossFM Talk or via podcast anywhere a podcast is available.

Recorded October 21, 2020: Alex Haynes discusses the latest political, cultural and entertainment news. Tiffanie Lanelle guest hosts.

⁣This session features Charlie West's insights on "Neighboring People with Addictions." With over 40 years of experience in substance abuse counseling, Charlie offers wisdom on supporting recovery while maintaining healthy boundaries. Learn practical approaches to neighboring in difficult circumstances.

⁣Woman to Woman - Neighboring with Honesty & Humanity | Bonita Hampton Smith
⁣Dr. Vonnetta L. West hosts Bonita Hampton Smith for an intimate conversation on neighboring across gender lines. This powerful Woman to Woman dialogue explores honesty, humanity, and historical understanding as foundations for meaningful connection. The session concludes with practical affirmations and applications for daily life. Join this transformative conversation that bridges divides and builds understanding.

#ashanti#celebrity#celebrities#nelly#celebrity#celebrities#babiesnameandgenderrevealed#ashanti&nelly#NELLY AND ASHANTI FINALLY REVEALS THE NAME AND GENDER OF THEIR NEW BORN BABY#

#ashanti#celebrity#celebrities#nelly#celebrity#celebrities#welcomebabyboy#ashantiandnelly#
#ASHANTI AND NELLY WELCOME THEIR FIRST BOUNCING BABY BOY TOGETHER#

Jasmine Viel explores an innovative workspace in Culver City for women of color to meet and share a sense of community, empowerment and entrepreneurship.

The generations disect the good, bad and ugly of this years Super Bowl. Did Beyonce steal Ushers halftime shine and what was up with the commercials????

Recomendations this week focus on some of their favorite content that portrays historical events and figures that focus on African Americans.

Like, share, subscribe and give your own takes!!!

@yzthedivide
@jclark787
@thelewisbrand

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka will reportedly pay actress Nia Long $32,500 per month in child support for their 12-year-old son, of whom they now have joint custody, according to court documents, per The Blast.

Long, 53, reportedly gave Udoka, 46, a break in child support payments because she is a wealthy actress. He had to pay $56,389, but his ex-girlfriend allowed the payments to be over $20,000 lower.


Udoka's monthly disposable income is $465,804 and their son spends 95 percent of the time with Long, who first wanted full custody and only visitation rights for him.

The former couple split up in 2022 after Udoka had an alleged affair with a co-worker while working as the head coach of the Boston Celtics.

Nia Long opens up about ex Ime Udoka's cheating scandal, and shares intimate details from the aftermath and its impact on her children. Speaking with ‘The Hollywood Reporter,’ the actress recalls how their son, 11-year-old Kez, reacted after the news broke in September.