If you don’t already know about NPR’s Tiny Desk concerts, take a weekend to start binge-watching. Started by Bob Boilen, Tiny Desk is a huge momentous opportunity for both small and big artists. It showcases their vocal and production skills as well as creating a different arrangement for their most popular songs.
Boilen announced in 2023 that he would be stepping down from Tiny Desk and NPR completely. Though still succeeded by current NPR staff members, his presence and a keen eye for music will be missed. Below are some of Hip-Hop and R&B’s best performances on Tiny Desk that keep Boilen’s legacy going.
Erykah Badu
It was 2018 and Erykah Badu didn’t necessarily have anything new to show for herself, but any day of Badu showing off her vocals is a day worth having. She gracefully hosted Tiny Desk with two songs, “Rim Shot” and “Green Eyes”. For any ordinary artist, that two-song set would only last six to seven minutes, Badu made it a wondrous 15. “Rim Shot” of her debut intro’s Badu and her backup instrumentalists, but the real show stopper is Badu’s powerhouse strength in “Green Eyes”.
Jack Harlow
During the COVID-19 pandemic, NPR turned to bigger stars to fill in the gaps in artistry during the tough times. Rising star Jack Harlow had just blown up from his “What’s Poppin” internet debut and jumped quickly into celebrity status. His set is a critical marking point in his career demonstrating the effortless talent he’s always had lyrically before his second studio album tanked his credibility. He enlists background singers and overall tones his home performance as a calm gospel attendance. No corny samples, no gimmicks, just Harlow and a mic.
Wu-Tang Clan
Without a doubt, Tiny Desk is not only an honor but a challenge. It’s acoustic and it’s raw. Some tracks or artists can’t translate correctly on such a smaller scale. For Wu-Tang Clan, it wasn’t a problem. In celebration of their 25th anniversary of “Enter the Wu-Tang,” the group rapped their hearts out with their classic styles. The energy they all still have for the music jumps out through the screen. Supported by beautiful string arrangements and a Mac laptop, the performance is a time capsule, as if the group was right back where they started.
Tyler the Creator
Tyler the Creator gained a huge new fanbase with the release of “Flower Boy.” He was no longer in a space of underappreciated rappers nor labeled as a vulgar nuisance. Tyler’s revamp followed him onto Tiny Desk where he rearranged the production styles of tracks from the beloved album. Leaning towards soulful jazz, he does the album justice. He not only raps but goes on to sing with his raspy demeanor and cracks jokes with the crowd. Alongside his angelic backup singers, it’s safe to say this is one of Tyler’s best performances.
Noname
Noname is no stranger to a stripped-back style. Most of her tracks already isolate her intense lyricism to make her messages shine. For Tiny Desk she was no different, and she was still perfect. Filled with a medley of songs from her debut mixtape, Noname flaunts her cadences, proving first and foremost she is a poet.
Honorable mentions go to stars like Mac Miller and Migos who both kept their artistry forward in their respective tiny desk performances. Post-Boilen’s leave is Tinashe who delivered an epic portrayal from her discography. As new stars approach the limelight, Tiny Desk is a swinging direction to demonstrate prowess.
