In a perfect bookend to the year their Bandana collaboration dominated, Freddie Gibbs and Madlib joined El Michels Affair for an unforgettable Tiny Desk Concerts hosted by National Public Radio. The performance reinvigorates one of 2019’s best hip-hop releases, and marks one of the most exciting Tiny Desk shows to date.
Backed by funk and soul group El Michels Affair, the 13-minute performance features Gibbs’ famous breath control, and Madlib’s soul and jazz-laced samples. After an opening piano solo, Gibbs drops in on “Education” and off we go. Included as well are “Gat Damn,” “Soul Right,” and “Freestyle Sh***.”
The sight of Madlib sitting-in with the band alongside a set of vintage bongos certainly grabs your attention. The producer famously shuns attention, doesn’t own a cell phone, and rarely performs. The concert was reportedly a year in the making, due largely to Lib’s insistence on the use of El Michels Affair–and ONLY El Michels Affair.
The New York funk outfit is already familiar to hip-hop heads. They released an album reinterpreting classic Wu-Tang Clan compositions, Enter The 37th Chamber, in 2009. That led other hip-hop production luminaries to sample EMA’s music, including Jay-Z., Travis Scott, and J. Cole. Their arrangement features Leon Michels (saxophone), Homer Steinweiss (drums), Nick Movshon (bass), Marco Benevento (piano), and Dave Guy (trumpet).
El Michels Affair – Enter the 37th Chamber
Apple Music | SoundCloud
In a recent interview, Madlib teased a follow-up to Bandana, tentatively titled Montana. The single sentence caused rumors to swirl about collaborators and release timelines. Whenever Montana arrives, the duo will be hard-pressed to top Bandana’s greatness. Live instruments only heighten the effect of their divergent styles. Their affection for one another only infuses the performance with a sense of friendship and love.
The Tiny Desk Concerts series is in its eleventh year. It features a wide array of artists performing live in the cramped office space of Tiny Desk creator/producer Bob Boilen. 2019 performers have included Wyclef Jean, Toro Y Moi, Phony Ppl, Lizzo, The-Dream, Damian Marley, Wale, BJ The Chicago Kid, and Raphael Saadiq.
Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – Bandana
Apple Music | SoundCloud
