Juvenile: 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.
Bobby Carter | June 30, 2023
“WTF is a Tiny Desk and no!” are the words that led to one of the most publicized journeys any musician has taken to get to NPR headquarters. That was Juvenile’s response to Twitter user @theylovemyke’s request for him to play a Tiny Desk concert back in April. His response ignited Black Twitter, launching a barrage of tweets and reposts of favorite performances at the Desk, as fans implored the “T.C. soldier” to reconsider. His viral reconsideration led to a few DMs, which led to a few phone calls, and the date was set. Juve, like some rappers in his class, had never heard of our little nook in Washington, D.C., but he soon found out.
The pressure to deliver was palpable in the planning stages but as the band was assembled, my expectations were exceeded. Tiny Desk alumni and New Orleans natives Trombone Shorty and Alvin Ford were brought into the fold. Another Tiny Desk vet from New Orleans, Jon Batiste, flew in from London just to be a part of the set. Juvenile sourced The Amours from right here in D.C. to handle background vocals, along with string players from the Louisiana Philharmonic for the grand finale. The architect of the Juvenile/Cash Money Records sound, DJ Mannie Fresh, became the glue that pieced it all together. The result was one of the most rambunctious experiences at the Desk. The Hot Boy coasted through highlights from a decades-long, groundbreaking career, concluding with a performance of “Back That Azz Up,” so exuberant that the audience demanded an encore and the band obliged. A Tiny Desk first.
SET LIST
“Intro (feat. Mannie Fresh)”
“400 Degreez (feat. Mannie Fresh)”
“Bling Bling (feat. Mannie Fresh)”
“Ha”
“Set It Off”
“Slow Motion”
“Rodeo (feat. The Amours)”
“I Need A Hot Girl (feat. Mannie Fresh)”
“Project Bitch (feat. Mannie Fresh)”
“Back That Azz Up (feat. Mannie Fresh)”
MUSICIANS
Juvenile: vocals
Mannie Fresh: vocals, effects, keys
Alvin Ford: music director/drums
Josh Connelly: guitar
DJ Raymond: bass
Brandon Butler: keys
BK Jackson: saxophone
Trombone Shorty: trombone
Kevin Woods: trumpet
Jon Batiste: melodica
Jakiya Ayanna: vocals
Shaina Aisha: vocals
Hannah Yim: violin
Jake Fowler: cello
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, Michael Zamora
Audio Assistant: Kwesi Lee
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 #BMMxTDC #juvenile
Please give whoever is responsible for this at Tiny Desk a raiseโฆ itโs well deserved.
I know that ain’t my boy Mannie Fresh I see in the cut….definitely gotta set the notification for this one.
The whole state of Louisiana better be ๐ for this one
Thank You Tiny Desk๐ฅฐ
I love yโall ๐๐๐ cause yโall right
Yes indeed I second that notion right there ๐
โคโคโค
Give this man his roses yโall he really came through and showed out I really enjoyed this ๐ฅโค๏ธ๐๐ฝ๐ซถ๐ฝ๐น๐น๐น๐น๐น๐น๐น๐น๐น๐น
Whoever is responsible for all the acts for the celebration of Black Music Month, we that Black People worldwide thank you!!!! โค๏ธ๐ค๐โ๐ฟโ๐ฟโ๐ฟ
Juvie and mannie didnโt disappoint. Yโall killing it with this tiny desk
its mazing!!!! cheers
Live instruments, Live audience, Historic Artists…in a small intimate space…the improvision…thank you Juvie, Mannie, and your supporting artists for this…Much appreciated!! And then he ran his most well known song back!!
Juve killed it all in the crowd he got The #1 spot now
Whoever signed off on this at Tiny Deskโฆ YOU DESERVE A BONUS!!!!
Thanks to twitter! People were saying they would love to see him on tiny desk. He didnโt even know what tiny desk was and the rest is history!
Same comment above โฌ๏ธ
@Lemme C.I saw that! He said no๐
Yes ๐๐พ!!! Give em all the bonuses! ๐ฅ
One of the most amazing things from this performance was to see the Joy & Excitement it brought Mannie & Juvi. Two Legends Still Getting The Honorable Respect From The Work They Put In! ๐ค๐
Lol. It is good to see them having fun!
Juvie needs to make an unplugged album.. sounds so good live
Rap is just poetry in motion they donโt do it like they used too
Easily the best Tiny Desk Iโve ever seen, encore and all. This millennial New Orleans girl was breaking it down and smiling at her desk for 28 minutes!! ๐๐๐