MILWAUKEE - Tonight 8 American Republican candidates contended for the 2024 presidential nomination in the first GOP primary debate. BLK Alerts' Alex Haynes and Tiffanie Mackey analyze the debate, the absence of former president Donald Trump and fact check the evening. Join the conversation!

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.

For more Tiny Desk concerts, subscribe to our podcast.

This year's Black History Month celebration at the Tiny Desk features a carefully crafted lineup spanning many genres, generations and walks of life. Each artist represents the best in their class and will be performing at the Tiny Desk for the first time.

Bobby Carter | February 20, 2023
The powerful messages of her music, magnified by the strength of Tamela Mann's vocals, made for a tearful Tiny Desk concert. These were happy tears; eventually, Tamela herself, overcome with emotion, explained how singing her songs helps keep her faith intact. After closing with one of her signature songs, "Take Me to the King," she gave us some parting words of encouragement. "Let's just hold on to faith, hold on to hope, hold on to joy," she said, "because it still exists in our society."

The Fort Worth, Texas, native's calling was evident early in her childhood, wowing the congregation at Holy Tabernacle church by the time she was 12. Her career has since stretched far beyond music. After meeting Tyler Perry in 1999, she and her husband, actor David Mann, became integral to his explosion on the stage, television and film. Faith and family have remained at the helm throughout her decorated career, earning Stellar Awards and a Grammy. Her daughter, Porcia, coordinated their trip to Washington, D.C., while her daughter Tia sang background, and of course, David was in the audience entertaining the crowd before and after the show. It's impossible to tell the history of Black people in America without the gospel, and Tamela Mann represented at NPR headquarters.

SET LIST
"Finished"
"Change Me"
"Take Me to the King"

MUSICIANS
Tamela Mann: vocals
Tia Mann: vocals
Brittany Stevenson: vocals
Deon Yancey: vocals
Patrick Wright: keys
Phillip Bryant: keys
Johshun Griffin: drums
Jamaal Franklin: bass
Aaron Scott: guitar

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Bobby Carter
Director: Joshua Bryant
Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Creative Director: Bob Boilen
Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Elizabeth Gillis, Sofia Seidel, Maia Stern
Editor: Sofia Seidel
Audio Assistant: Brian Jarboe
Production Assistant: Jill Britton
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Marissa Lorusso, Hazel Cills, Kara Frame, Ashley Pointer
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

#nprmusic #tinydesk #tamelamann

NPR Music's Tiny Desk series will celebrate Black History Month by featuring four weeks of Tiny Desk (home) concerts and playlists by Black artists spanning different genres and generations each week. The lineup includes both emerging and established artists who will be performing a Tiny Desk concert for the first time. This celebration highlights the beautiful cornucopia of Black music and our special way of presenting it. We hope you enjoy.

Abby O'Neill | February 16, 2021
Rick Ross’ Tiny Desk takes place in the gallery space of Miami artist Rich B Caliente, The Boss’ longtime collaborator and friend. Even though the MIA street dignitary is now living in Atlanta, Ross insisted that his Tiny Desk (home) concert get captured in the city where his roots are anchored and where he rose to rap stardom.

This Tiny Desk marks just the second time Ross has performed with a live band. On "Super High," from his Teflon Don album, drummer Rashid Williams and bassist Thaddaeus Tribbett lay down the foundation for Ross’ smooth cadence and signature nonchalance. Background singer and Ne-Yo protege Troy Tyler projects the lead vocal lines originally sung by his mentor.

Next, vocalist Elijah Blake steps up on Ross' smash hit "B.M.F. (Blowin’ Money Fast) and “Aston Martin Music.” On the latter, Monty Reynolds drops in with the sparse, yet catchy key melody that made it the contagious hit single it was in 2010.

At one point, Ross pauses between songs to speak on his inspirations. "So many inspired the Boss,” he says. “I could look at any brother on the street and get some inspiration from them, regardless of how many followers you got on social media, regardless of what you're riding in. I could learn something from you. I ain't scared to. Let's make sure we keep building."

SET LIST
"Super High"
"B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast)"
"Aston Martin Music"
"I'm Not A Star"
"F*ckwithmeyouknowigotit"
"Tears of Joy"

MUSICIANS
DJ Sam Sneak: DJ, vocals
Thaddaeus Tribbett: bass
Monty Reynolds: keys
Elijah Blake: vocals
Troy Tyler: vocals
Rashid Williams: drums

CREDITS
Video: Bob Metelus, Antwan Reid, Webber Charles, William Graydon, Andres Ramirez, Laz Mendez, Edward Burke, Jorge Torres, Ron Gesualdo, Rich B Caliente
Audio: Joe Liederman, Glenn Wexo, ITLLC
General Manager: Yvette Dávila for Maybach Music Group

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Abby O'Neill
Video Producer: Morgan Noelle Smith
Audio Mastering: Josh Rogosin
Art Director: CJ Riculan
Associate Producer: Bobby Carter
Tiny Production Team: Bob Boilen, Kara Frame, Maia Stern
Executive Producer: Lauren Onkey
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

V-103 announce Smith's passing over the weekend.

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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@jclark787
@therealxavianlewis

If you love music this is an episode for you!!! The generations touch on a bunch of topics from highpoints of the recent Grammys, the current state of R&B as well as this whole issue of sistas being snubbed for Album of the Year.

Music, music and more music!!!!

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@yzthedivide
@jclark787
@therealxavianlewis

Snoop Dogg's 24-year-old daughter is getting candid about a recent health scare. Cori Broadus took to her Instagram Story on Thursday to reveal that she has suffered a "severe stroke," sharing from a hospital bed that she "started breaking down crying" when doctors told her the news. "Like I'm only 24, what did I do in my past to deserve all of this," she added. Cori, who is the only daughter of the rapper and his wife, Shanté Broadus, didn't share any additional details on her medical emergency and her parents have yet to comment on the health scare. Access Hollywood has reached out for comment.