This Black Music Month, Tiny Desk celebrates the simple legacy of BET. Just like the community that put Black artistry first, these units replicate the essence of Black music.
Scroll down to look at Tiny Desk live shows from Ruff Ryder legend Eve, former rap prodigy Bow Wow, nation music groundbreaker Shaboozey, Memphis royalty 8Ball & MJG, Afrobeats star Ayra Starr, gospel powerhouse Fred Hammond, British neo soul duo Floetry, ’90s R&B hitmaker Joe, Atlanta pop-punk youngins The Paradox and famend drummer Karriem Riggins and the indefinable vocalist Liv.e performing as GENA.
Floetry
Floetry made its means “from London’s SE5 to Philly’s west facet simply to carry the vibe” to the Tiny Desk. And with the poetic flows of Natalie Stewart (aka The Floacist) and a wealthy, floating soprano from Marsha Ambrosius (aka The Songstress), the vibe in our house was immaculate.
This duo has recognized and made music with one another since youth — it is a sisterhood that does not diminish via the ebbs and flows of life. They started their musical journey collectively in London and located themselves embedded in Philadelphia’s wealthy music scene, constructing a catalog of soulful R&B initiatives that charmed audiences.
Floetry took a second from its first tour in a decade to cease by the Tiny Desk. The duo begins their set with “Large Ben,” a callback to their U.Ok. origins. “Butterflies,” co-written by Ambrosius and Andre Harris — and famously carried out by Michael Jackson — is mesmerizing as Ambrosius’ voice flutters. Located in the course of the set are the sensual “Say Sure” and “Getting Late,” songs that steam up any surroundings, inflicting the pair to joke it is perhaps too early within the day for them. There is a palpable pleasure and playfulness within the little moments between songs; that pleasure spills over to the viewers, who excitedly sing alongside. Floetry closes with its debut single, “Floetic,” taking the viewers again to the 20-somethings who introduced their arrival onto the R&B panorama. — Mitra I. Arthur
GENA (Liv.e and Karriem Riggins)
One thing was lacking from our Black Music Month lineup, however I could not work out what. However as soon as Karriem Riggins and Liv.e got here into the workplace as GENA with a buzzing vitality, I locked eyes with my colleagues and knew we would discovered the recent and surprising sound we would been searching for.
Riggins and Liv.e coming collectively to create GENA’s The Pleasure is Yours makes all of the sense. They signify Detroit, Mich., and Dallas, Texas, respectively, two cities with a few of the deepest, tight-knit music communities within the nation. Riggins’ pocket is nudged simply left of heart, which Liv.e dives into effortlessly — these soiled drums and loops ship the closest factor we’ll ever get to a full J Dilla x Erykah Badu undertaking, if you happen to ask me. Liv.e and Riggins have each supported different artists on the Tiny Desk, so it is easy plug-and-play as they breeze via a few of my favorites from their new album, together with the affirmation tune of 2026, “HOWWEFLOW.” —Bobby Carter
Ayra Starr
Ayra Starr has dreamed of being behind the Desk since she was 14 years outdated. When that day lastly arrived, she wished the main target to be on her stage presence and distinctively deep-toned vocals. So she traded her signature “Trend Killer” appears for a easy black sweatsuit, embracing the stripped-down spirit of our platform.
Starr and her band arrived with a set that was balanced almost to perfection — a typical that she attributes principally to her Nigerian roots. They ship Afro-fusion grooves, dreamy soundscapes and high-energy rhythms in a group of songs, highlighting the flexibility that has made her some of the thrilling younger voices in international pop. Hip winds are inspired via a sultry string of tracks together with “Gimme Dat,” “Who’s Dat Woman” and the unreleased “Twister,” from the upcoming album Starrgirl.
By the tip of her set, Starr affords a glimpse into the vulnerability beneath her popstar persona with “Amin” and “Orun.” The religion-infused information showcase her perseverance and gratitude for a way far she’s come and what subsequent for the shining Starr. —Alanté Serene
Joe
R&B veteran Joe Thomas earned each chain and stripe on his physique as he stepped behind the Tiny Desk. For each Usher, Ne-Yo, and Leon Thomas who has performed in our workplace, followers of considered one of their archetypes puzzled when he would get his shot. We noticed the petitions and social media posts, however belief: We chased for years. Earlier than the music began, the singer-songwriter and producer defined: “The place have I been for the previous few years? Properly, I have been on the street touring. I am right here with you all as we speak, and I wanna do a couple of songs all through the catalog.”
Every of the “few songs” Joe refers to is a chart-topping, gold and platinum-selling smash from the ’90s and early 2000s. On the Desk, Thomas proves the time away hasn’t diminished something. He shortly gathers the complete viewers in a single hand, blazing via songs like “Good Ladies,” “The Love Scene” and the soiled macking anthem, “All of the Issues (Your Man Will not Do).” Joe closes the set with a young second, inviting his daughter, Kayla, to sing background on his largest hit, “I Wanna Know.” —Bobby Carter
The Paradox
“The Paradox is within the enterprise of bringing rock and roll again to the originators,” lead singer Eric Dangerfield says after the band opens its high-energy set with “Get the Message.” The breakthrough anthem made The Paradox the primary all-Black band to succeed in No. 1 on the Billboard Various Airplay chart. But even amid the band’s speedy rise, the members’ playful spirit stays rooted in humble beginnings spent jamming in an Atlanta condominium.
Dangerfield, Christopher “Xelan” Bernard, Donald Bryant and Percy “PC3” Crews step behind the Desk with the humility and chemistry that helped propel them to nationwide recognition. Their cranking set options fan favorites just like the Travis Barker collab “Bender” and the unreleased “I Kinda Like That.” Earlier than closing with “Do Me Like That,” Dangerfield offers a shout out to a previous associate who as soon as tried to hit him with a automotive. The group could not assist however snort, but the story represents their knack for turning life’s chaos into gasoline for one thing larger. That means to search out pleasure and humor within the mess makes The Paradox’s model of Black pop-punk really feel each recent and acquainted. —Alanté Serene
Eve
As the primary artist booked for this yr’s Black Music Month celebration, Eve helped set the tone for our Tiny Desk tribute to BET’s cultural influence. Probably the most profitable ladies in hip-hop music, the Philly emcee occupies a singular house, connecting audiences who grew up watching Rap Metropolis with a youthful era that rushed house to catch 106 & Park. Though a lot of Eve’s set options songs which might be greater than 20 years outdated, the recent preparations, her commanding efficiency and the viewers’s enthusiastic response reveals that her music and affect stay timeless.
Since relocating to London over a decade in the past and beginning a household, Eve hasn’t put out a lot music. In 2024, she printed a memoir chronicling her life and experiences navigating the music trade throughout the late ’90s and early 2000s. Not solely did she survive considered one of hip-hop’s most fiercely aggressive eras, however she additionally emerged as considered one of its dominant figures — promoting hundreds of thousands of information because the First Girl of Ruff Ryders Leisure, and constructing a profession in tv and movie.
For her Tiny Desk, Eve enlisted the music director Mare — who you might acknowledge from Tierra Whack’s Tiny Desk — making this a Philly affair. In celebration of the twenty fifth anniversary of her second album, Scorpion, the set options standout tracks corresponding to “Let Me Blow Ya Thoughts” and “Who’s That Woman,” alongside fan favorites from Let There Be Eve… and Eve-Olution. —Bobby Carter
8Ball & MJG
As 8Ball & MJG entered the NPR constructing and made their option to the Desk, I could not assist however be captivated by their evolution into rap music elder statesmen. No scandal, no breakups — simply two emcees in good well being able to get busy. These Memphis legends, steeped within the blues, seize the essence of Southern hip-hop.
In contrast to a lot of their ’90s friends who leaned closely on beat machines and samplers, 8Ball & MJG incorporate reside instrumentation into their music. That interprets right here, because the band kicks off the set with a couple of instrumental bars from “Pimps” earlier than 8Ball goes straight into the title observe off the 1993 debut album Comin’ Out Laborious. Then they fireplace off three songs from 2004’s Dwelling Legends and shut with “Area Age Pimpin’.”
It is unusual for our favourite teams to keep up their unity; after they do, the bonds typically fade, resulting in a strictly business-oriented relationship. And, but, 8Ball & MJG exemplify familial camaraderie, which radiates all through their Tiny Desk live performance. —Bobby Carter
Fred Hammond
Fred Hammond has been a number one architect of recent gospel music, significantly reward and worship, for over 40 years. From his time in teams like Commissioned and United Tenors to main the choir Radical for Christ and sustaining a protracted solo profession, it is simple to see why Hammond’s go to to the Tiny Desk is steadily requested and lengthy overdue.
Followers for each Hammond period will discover moments to sing alongside right here. The latest “Love By no means Fails” is designed to cost up your religion. Hammond takes us again to his Commissioned days with the 1986 observe “Operating Again to You.” His mega-hits “Jesus Be a Fence Round Me” and “No Weapon” are the proper one-two punch for anybody needing religious encouragement in opposition to making an attempt instances. After we get to the perennial fan-favorite “We’re Blessed” (with a bit little bit of “Glory to Glory” sprinkled in), Hammond declares: “Tiny is aware of easy methods to occasion within the Holy Ghost!” If the viewers within the room that day is any indication, you will not need the present to finish both. So simply restart the video and maintain the reward occasion going. —Mitra I. Arthur
Shaboozey
What Virginia-bred nation singer and rapper Shaboozey represents is far larger than himself: It is the reclamation of nation music’s roots as unapologetically Black.
Returning house to the DMV to carry out on the Tiny Desk for this yr’s Black Music Month takeover, Shaboozey performs fan favorites and debuts new songs from his upcoming album, The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Different Western Tales.
Opening the set with the Grammy-winning “Amen,” Shaboozey brings the church into the room, buoyed by hovering background vocals. Debuting “Drunk,” his slurred, introspective supply hits like a modern-day soliloquy. Shaboozey additionally pays homage to his Virginia roots with “Good Information,” which options fiddle gamers Clayton Penrose-Whitmore and Sara Watkins firing off Invoice Monroe‘s “Roanoke,” a pillar of bluegrass music.
Taking part in one other tune from his upcoming album, Shaboozey invitations Tiny Desk alum Leon Bridges to carry out the revenge-soaked “Burn It Down.” Bridges’ vocals add a soulful and delicate contact, completely contrasting Shaboozey’s gritty drawl. Ending the set on a excessive be aware with “Cowgirl,” the vitality from the viewers was palpable. Even Shaboozey needed to acknowledge: “Y’all turned [The Desk] right into a dive bar.” —Ashley Pointer
Bow Wow
Bow Wow constructed his personal lane. His debut single spent 9 weeks at No. 1 on the Sizzling Rap Tracks chart, he launched three profitable albums and landed a string of huge display screen appearances, all earlier than turning 18. His transformation from youngster star to well-rounded entertainer serves as a blueprint for longevity, and honoring the influence and legacy of BET with out him would have been incomplete.
They do not name him “Mr. 106 & Park” for nothing. The platform was virtually constructed round the kind of fandom he created. I used to be admittedly a type of devoted followers, with Lil’ Bow Wow t-shirts and posters, glued to the display screen each afternoon to look at as he dominated the countdowns. A era of us continued to tune in as he ultimately stepped in as a number of the present himself. It is a loyalty that Bow Wow earned, and he basks in that glory as he blazes via his Tiny Desk live performance filled with back-to-back hits.
Sponsor MessageAs the Ohio-bred rapper says himself, Bow Wow retains his set within the “No. 1 area,” presenting recent takes on a handful of his top-charting rap information all through the years. The a long time of dedication to his craft have been evident within the cadence, stage presence and high-energy infused in performances of “Shortie Like Mine,” “Recent Azimiz” and “Let Me Maintain You.” Bow Wow additionally makes positive to incorporate “Bounce with Me (from the movement image Large Momma’s Home),” the tune that began all of it. Listening to it within the room felt full circle, a reminder that all the pieces he constructed from simply 13 years outdated has led to this precise second. —Alanté Serene