This year, NPR Music is celebrating Black Music Month with an array of brand new Tiny Desk concerts — both from home and from behind our beloved Desk. 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.

Suraya Mohamed | June 23, 2022
Almost 30 musicians, choir members and staff of the contemporary worship music collective Maverick City Music entered the NPR lobby and crowded the security desk to undergo COVID protocols. Even through the dull process of checking vaccination cards and test results, there was a real feeling of excitement for what was about to happen.

Some of the choir members were eager not only for the upcoming Tiny Desk concert but for later that evening, when they were scheduled to perform at a sold-out 20,000-seat arena nearby. A few of them had only previously performed with Maverick City Music in small venues and couldn't wait to move from the Tiny Desk to a big stage. Once upstairs, the group's enthusiasm grew during the set up and sound check. Even the NPR production staff was buzzing because we had not recorded such a large ensemble in our office in more than two years.

Once the performance started, Maverick City Music did what it always does. The members of the group became one voice, sharing beautiful music and spreading the good word with messages of hope, change and love. The group describes itself as a megaphone for a community of creatives that has been pushed to the margins of the industry of church music. Even for those who aren't fans of gospel music or for those who don't believe, it is possible to still find appreciation in this music's comforting and uplifting sound.

Most of the songs performed here are from the collective's new album, Kingdom Book One, which was produced in collaboration with gospel legend Kirk Franklin. It was a blessing to watch him perform here alongside talented vocalists Naomi Raine and Chandler Moore on the last song, "Kingdom."

SET LIST
"Man of Your Word"
"Million Little Miracles"
"Jireh"
"Kingdom" (feat. Kirk Franklin)

MUSICIANS
Chandler Moore: vocals
Brandon Lake: vocals
Naomi Raine: vocals
Kirk Franklin: vocals, keys
Harold Brown: MD/drums
Sam Simon: keys
Matt Ramsey: bass
Elijah Kaiween: guitar
Jason McGee: vocals/choir director
Ashley Perry: vocals
Audrey Oquaye: vocals
Antonio Drakes: vocals
Cameron Williams: vocals
Jelani Caldwell: vocals
Maraya Stewart: vocals
Pierina Santa Maria: vocals
Tabitha Harris: vocals
Victoria Fitzgerald: vocals

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Bobby Carter
Audio Recording & Mix Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Director: Kara Frame
Editor: Josh Bryant
Series Creator: Bob Boilen
Videographers: Kara Frame, Josh Bryant, Michael Zamora, Pierre Kattar, Alanté Serene
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Marissa Lorusso, Hazel Cills, Jill Britton, Joby Tanseco, Maia Stern
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

#tinydesk #BMM #maverickcitymusic

⁣Communication expert Rebecca Desjardins joins Dr. Vonnetta L. West to explore the essential elements of neighborly dialogue. This session examines how we talk to and about each other as a reflection of whether we truly embrace each other as neighbors. Learn practical skills for listening, speaking, digital interaction, and conflict resolution that build bridges rather than walls. The session concludes with powerful affirmations for implementing these communication principles.

⁣Join Dr. Vonnetta L. West for the opening session of the NU Summit 2025, exploring the fundamentals of what it means to be a good neighbor. This session begins with "A Neighbor's Hymn" performed by Nabil Ince and Jalen Seawright, followed by a conversation with Jazmin Mora on "What Neighbor Up Is and Why It Matters." Dr. West concludes with a global perspective on neighboring, examining this concept across cultural contexts.

Alex Haynes discusses the latest current, political and cultural news.

The controversy over an AP African American Studies course is making national headlines and now we are learning about the revisions to the framework being made for the course that was blocked by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

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Kamala Harris and Donald Trump debate in Philadelphia.Watch as Alex and Tiffanie dissect the issues, challenge the status quo, and offer insights on the debate.

👉 Don’t miss out on this bold, necessary conversation. Tune in, share widely, and join the movement towards a safer future. Be part of the solution – your voice matters!Watch, engage, and act. Your move.

Noir+ Premium Black Television provides Live, SVOD, Video and Audio on-demand services for Black and Brown Communities. With access to over 10,000 titles, it is the fastest growing Black-owned SVOD network in the world.Noir+ is powered by Unmutedco and 100% Black owned.

Suraya Mohamed | March 20, 2023

It was a bit of a tight fit, getting the choir, horns and full rhythm section properly situated behind the center nook of the Desk where Tye Tribbett would eventually stand. As the band warmed up, there was concern that his voice might not carry over the fullness of the talented ensemble. During the rehearsal, he stood nearby, directing music cues, occasionally taking a moment to make “grrrr” vocalizations as the band adjusted to bring the loudness down. They quickly found just the right level and when Tribbett moved into place for sound check, his lead vocal both blended into and soared above the magnificence of the band’s high energy praise music.

Even before the production crew pushed their record buttons, an excitement filled the air. As the first song developed, the intensity rose to an even higher level, setting the tone for an emotional, spiritual experience. Musical excellence was abundant as the singers lifted their voices with precise intonation, and Tribbetts’ vigor was infectious. The complex instrumental arrangements included jazzy licks and funky beats that drove spontaneous but smooth transitions in and out of six inspiring songs.

Before the last tune, the encouraging “Be Alright,” Tribbett exclaimed, “There is hope! You’re never hopeless. I know your world gets dark and you feel all by yourself. You think nobody sees you but God sees you and not only does he see you but he’s been with you the whole time.”

SET LIST
“No Way”
“Get Up”
“Victory”
“Everything”
“He Turned It”
“Be Alright”

MUSICIANS
Tye Tribbett: vocals
Joseph Bethea: keys
Brandon Jones: keys
Thaddaeus Tribbett: bass
George "Spanky" McCurdy: drums
Jabari Johnson: guitar
Kevin Woods: trumpet
Joseph Streater: trumpet
Frank Rein: trombone
Jalisa Faye: vocals
Jewell Jones: vocals
Jocelyn Bowman: vocals
Sharon Ann: vocals
Billy Crayton Jr.: vocals
Brandon Edwards: vocals


TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Bobby Carter
Director/Editor: Kara Frame
Audio Engineer: Neil Tevault
Audio Mix: Josh Rogosin
Creative Director: Bob Boilen
Videographers: Kara Frame, Joshua Bryant, Sofia Seidel, Maia Stern
Audio Assistant: Josephine Nyounai
Production Assistants: Jill Britton, Ashley Pointer
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Marissa Lorusso, Hazel Cills, Pilar Galván
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

#tinydesk nydesk #nprmusic #tyetribbett