Feb. 21, 2018 | Abby O'Neill -- August Greene, the collaborative effort of Common, Robert Glasper and Karriem Riggins, was born at the White House in 2016 during a special Tiny Desk concert. It was during that unprecedented performance that the then-untitled ensemble premiered the powerful "Letter to the Free," an original song for Ava DuVernay's Netflix documentary 13th that eventually won an Emmy for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics.

For the trio's first visit to NPR headquarters, they brought some special guests: vocalists Brandy, Maimouna Youssef and Andra Day. The band performed four tracks from its upcoming self-titled album (out March 9 on Amazon Music), an impromptu freestyle, and Day's Oscar-nominated collaboration with Common, "Stand Up For Something," from the film Marshall. Common described the theme of the Tiny Desk as "Foregrounding Women," alluding to the attendance of Brandy, Day and Youssef, as well as the spiritual presence of Glasper's younger cousin, Loren, who passed just a few days prior.

The past year has been a pivotal time for women, between #MeToo and social and financial equality, and the lyrics to these songs frame women's contemporary frustrations as civil rights issues. That's important in hip-hop, which has long been dogged by an old-line adherence to misogyny, as it lays claim to the world's most popular genre.

In a spontaneous moment midway through Maimouna Youssef's verse on "Practice," the crowd gushed and you could see the joy in her eyes. Then the ebullient pop icon Brandy reprised Sounds Of Blackness' 1991 classic "Optimistic," and the magic held everyone rapt. Andra Day followed up with "Stand Up for Something"; her powerful voice blew the hinges off the doors.

August Greene's latest single, "Black Kennedy," connotes dreams of an African-American dynasty, the kind only a royal family assumes. The stark contrasts of disenfranchisement are highlighted by every wish expressed. Later, in "Let Go," vocalist and August Greene collaborator Samora Pinderhughes sings of overcoming darkness within yourself and finding hope at the bottom of Pandora's box. It's about releasing the demons so the hands can hold the blessings.

August Greene is what happens when talent embraces intention and humility. This edition of the Tiny Desk inspired me, its audience, and the artists behind the stage. We hope it has the same effect on you.

SET LIST
• "Black Kennedy" (feat. Samora Pinderhughes)

• "Practice" (feat. Maimouna Youssef)

• "Optimistic" (feat. Brandy)

• "Stand Up For Something" (feat. Andra Day)

• "Let Go" (feat. Samora Pinderhughes)

MUSICIANS
Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Robert Glasper, Karriem Riggins, Burniss Travis, Samora Pinderhughes, DJ Dummy, Brandy Norwood, Andra Day, Maimouna Youssef

CREDITS
Producers: Abby O'Neill, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Maia Stern, Kara Frame, CJ Riculan; Production Assistant: Joshua Bote; Photo: Eslah Attar/NPR.

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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.

Nikki Birch | June 9, 2023
I was working late when Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds first arrived at the office to rehearse for his Tiny Desk concert. Within moments, it was clear it would be an exceptional performance. The next day, my colleagues waited patiently to see the legendary singer, songwriter and producer. Because when it comes to matters of the heart, Babyface has turned our angst, our triumphs, our devastation, into timeless love songs that have scored the romances of more than one generation.

Joined by top-tier talent — Tank, Chanté Moore and Avery Wilson — Babyface came out swinging. From the songs that put him on the map, to those he wrote or produced for other icons, around the room hit after hit was met with swoons, sighs and not a few tears. (Ok, maybe that was just me.)

Babyface is a titan of the music industry: with numerous top 10 hits, 12 Grammys (50 nominations) and a jaw-dropping roster of collaborations. In 2022, he assembled a stellar ensemble of women for one of my favorite albums of the year, Girls Night Out. To watch this master of pen and sound behind the Tiny Desk was truly epic and nothing short of a dream come true.

SET LIST
"Two Occasions"
"Whip Appeal"
"Superwoman"
"Take A Bow"
"Not Gon' Cry"
"Can We Talk"
"Change the World"
"Thnks fr th Mmrs"
"I'll Make Love To You"
"End Of The Road"
"Exhale (Shoop Shoop)"

MUSICIANS
Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds: vocals, keys, guitar
Erskine Hawkins III: keys, music director
Antoine Porter: guitar
Walt Barnes Jr.: bass
Reggie Regg: drums
Tank: vocals
Chanté Moore: vocals
Avery Wilson: vocals

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

#tinydesk #nprmusic #babyface

After a tumultuous Memorial Day Holiday, Alex reacts to Amy Cooper, a modern day racist 'Karen' that weaponized the police against a Black man in Central Park. After this show aired, Amy lost her job and claimed that her life has been ruined by the attack. Unmuted Nation airs a daily segment #KarenWatch.

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.

Catch the latest Black Headlines, breaking news, updates on entertainment, politics and current events.

Tonight:
- TD Bank $3 Billion Settlement
- Social Security Benefit Increase
- Sean 'Diddy' Combs gets a trial date and he requests bail...again
- Tyre Nichols federal case update
- more!

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⁣Streamed live on Oct 10, 2024

Former U.S. President Donald J. Trump will participate in a conversation with journalists at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Annual Convention & Career Fair.

Trump will engage in a Q&A with political journalists before an audience of registered convention attendees that will concentrate on the most pressing issues facing the Black community.

A verdict was reached in a case involving alleged cult leader Eligio Bishop after jury deliberations began Friday. The judge sentenced him to life without parole.

Gen Z opens things up this week wondering if Black History Month still carries the same weight it used to.

Our milllenial then follows up on the promise made a couple weeks ago to get into his issues with Muni Longs "Made For Me" and of course that leads into some deeper discussions around R&B as a whole.

Recommendations from the generations then deal with methods on handling stress at the end of a work day and a plan on how to fix NBA All Star Weekend.

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