Babyface: Tiny Desk Concert
NPR Music is celebrating Black Music Month with an array of brand new Tiny Desk concerts. 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.
Nikki Birch | June 9, 2023
I was working late when Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds first arrived at the office to rehearse for his Tiny Desk concert. Within moments, it was clear it would be an exceptional performance. The next day, my colleagues waited patiently to see the legendary singer, songwriter and producer. Because when it comes to matters of the heart, Babyface has turned our angst, our triumphs, our devastation, into timeless love songs that have scored the romances of more than one generation.
Joined by top-tier talent — Tank, Chanté Moore and Avery Wilson — Babyface came out swinging. From the songs that put him on the map, to those he wrote or produced for other icons, around the room hit after hit was met with swoons, sighs and not a few tears. (Ok, maybe that was just me.)
Babyface is a titan of the music industry: with numerous top 10 hits, 12 Grammys (50 nominations) and a jaw-dropping roster of collaborations. In 2022, he assembled a stellar ensemble of women for one of my favorite albums of the year, Girls Night Out. To watch this master of pen and sound behind the Tiny Desk was truly epic and nothing short of a dream come true.
SET LIST
“Two Occasions”
“Whip Appeal”
“Superwoman”
“Take A Bow”
“Not Gon’ Cry”
“Can We Talk”
“Change the World”
“Thnks fr th Mmrs”
“I’ll Make Love To You”
“End Of The Road”
“Exhale (Shoop Shoop)”
MUSICIANS
Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds: vocals, keys, guitar
Erskine Hawkins III: keys, music director
Antoine Porter: guitar
Walt Barnes Jr.: bass
Reggie Regg: drums
Tank: vocals
Chanté Moore: vocals
Avery Wilson: vocals
TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Bobby Carter
Director/Editor: Joshua Bryant
Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Creative Director: Bob Boilen
Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Kara Frame, Maia Stern, Sofia Seidel
Audio Assistant: Hannah Gluvna
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Hazel Cills
Photographer: Catie Dull
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann
#tinydesk #nprmusic #babyface
SET LIST
“Two Occasions”- 0:00
“Whip Appeal”- 1:22
“Superwoman” -4:40
“Take A Bow”- 7:24
“Not Gon’ Cry”- 11:03
“Can We Talk”- 13:39
“Change the World”- 16:11
“Thnks fr th Mmrs”- 19:40
“I’ll Make Love To You”- 21:13
“End Of The Road”- 22:56
Band Intro- 25:00
“Exhale (Shoop Shoop)”- 26:39
Bless you !!!
Not all heroes wear capes
You doing gods work lol
Thank you ❤
I knew Babyface was a GOAT but I never knew he produced for Fall Out Boy, oml I love it
Watching Babyface sing background for his own songs while letting his background singers shine was everything. This was such a joy to watch overall.
He does that at his concerts … it’s always dope
They are not just ordinary background singers!!! They are superstars on their own!!!❤❤❤
He sure did and I am not try be funny he should let tank leave the song
She that bird singer
I was thinking the same thing. Those songs are his babies and he handed them over to three amazing performers.
I was BLOWN AWAY.
Tiny desk gives us what promoters won’t give us. This was beautiful
Yes!!!! Love this!!
I’m convinced we need a album called “Babyface and His Super Friends”! This is literally like listening to the R N’ B Avengers or Justice League 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Yessss…’Babyface ft. Chante Moore, Tank, & Avery Johnson’ would be a perfect album.
He does it already! You have to watch him tour! He is such a powerhouse!
I agree💯🔥🔥🔥
Funny but true 🎉❤❤❤❤
Omg! Yessssss!!
This has been nothing short of amazing, Babyface’s storytelling, Chante’s exquisite voice, Tank’s humour and voice and Avery oh man that dude is vocally sound, what a display of pure talent all-round🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
By far the best Tiny Desk Concert ever. Had me tearing up and chills all over. Love from Kenya in Africa. 🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪
My fellow cultured Kenyan 😍
Actually tye tebett was better
I enjoyed Summer Walkers as well.
Usher has entered the conversation
Avery, Chanté ,Tank & Babyface all in the same room!! Wow 😩💕🔥🔥
fire right !!……but Tank with the tiniest Bongos though hahahaha🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Yesssss to Chante’
😢❤😢❤😢❤😢❤
Okay!!!!!
Flexing with the background singers!
I need Chante, Avery, and Tank to have their own Tiny Desk performances. Please make that happen!!!
I didn’t even know Babyface was so proficient playing keys and guitar. Also everyone’s vocals were so much on point. What an awesome set. As Prince used to say: Real music by real musicians.
Where you been?
@All Doodles Matter Right 😂
Can we talk…Avery absolutely killed it 👏👏👏👏
Absolutely 👍🏾