Tank: 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.
Ashley Pointer | June 14, 2023
It’s practically a sin to not have Durrell “Tank” Babbs on your spiciest playlist — he’s penned some of the steamiest records in R&B. If you’ve been following our Black Music Month takeover, it’s likely you spotted Tank accompanying Babyface, the love maestro himself, on background vocals. In his own concert, the veteran crooner and R&B scholar performed a 14-song medley of passionate love songs and bedroom bops from across his 23 years-long career in music, and turned the Tiny Desk into “the big, nasty Desk.”
This doesn’t happen without warning: “Some of these songs make you wanna make up. Some of these songs make you wanna breakup and some of these songs make you want to participate in various sexual activities,” Tank declared before traversing his catalog. Backed by the phenomenal Florida-based MVP Band, along with a trio of famed background vocalists — singer-songwriter-actor Luke James, singer Brooke Valentine and songwriter/producer Lonny Bereal — we got a taste of the songs that not only established Tank as a pillar in R&B, but hits he wrote and produced for other notable artists such as Jamie Foxx, Omarion, Marques Houston and LeToya Luckett.
Full of buttery smooth runs and yearning melodies (along with the occasional, witty HR joke), Tank’s Tiny Desk concert is a stellar display of how powerful the allure of R&B can be, and perhaps a masterclass for any youngin’ learning how to woo.
SET LIST
“Slowly”
“Coldest”
“Do What It Do”
“O”
“Naked”
“Regret”
“When We”
“Dirty”
“Can’t Let It Show”
“Slow”
“See Through Love”
“Maybe I Deserve”
“I Deserve”
“Please Don’t Go”
MUSICIANS
Tank: vocals
Lonny Bereal: vocals
Brooke Valentine: vocals
Luke James: vocals
La’Chaz Holloway: guitar
Alex Hill: keys
Jevon Hill: keys, vocals
Arthur Jones: bass
Jimmy Hill: drums
TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Bobby Carter
Director: Joshua Bryant
Audio Engineer: Neil Tevault
Creative Director: Bob Boilen
Editor: Maia Stern
Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Maia Stern, Sofia Seidel, Kara Frame
Audio Assistant: Hannah Gluvna
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Photographer: Elizabeth Gillis
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Josh Rogosin, Hazel Cills
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann
#nprmusic #tinydesk #tank
Luke James does not get the credit he deserves. His voice is mesmerizing
1000%
He’s trying to transition from music to actor
Mannnnnn I couldn’t figure out who that was…. That’s dude from the Chi!
That part.
He’s excellent in everything
“A woman will follow if she knows you’re properly leading.” That’s the word right there. 🙏🏾💙
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
That’s right sis❤❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉
Not true at all. That’s implying y’all knows what leadership looks like.
Y’all have no clue what leadership looks like.
Tank got HITSSSSSSSS and he wrote so many HITS for other people as well. I just love how Tank is a connector of people and a magnet for like minded individuals. He provides opportunities for others and has been the bridge for a lot of our favorite artists. New age version of Babyface. He’s important to R&B Music for real. Tank literally brought out some of the most talented background singers. They don’t get their flowers or the respect they should get. Lonny is a real one for sure. Brooke is so beautiful and her voice is so pure. Luke James, I mean what can I say. This man embodies it all. His voice is soulful, gritty, so sweet and tender. I LOVE how the audience gave MAX PARTICIPATION lol. Good job tiny desk.
That part!
Me too. (And just to lower the tone, I also have to comment on how fiiiinnnee he is…😊).
Tank always looks so happy when singing. You can tell he loves what he does.
Right 😂
It’s true , he smiles with his eyes 😊
Never heard an audience scream and talk back like this at a Tiny Desk concert. Lol This is a performer! Love to Tank, Luke, Brooke, Lonnie, & the entire band. Bruh was going off on that vocoder.
Let’s keep this R&B train going!😭🥺 y’all don’t know what this is doing for my soul!
❤❤❤❤ikr
Tiny Desk Streak:
Uncle Charlie ✅
Babyface ✅
Tank ✅
Who we need on Tiny Desk
Brandy
Toni Braxton
SWV
Maxwell
Oh Toni!!! Yassssss 🥳
SWV!
I approve this message.We need this.
Maxwell for sure!!!!
Maxwell!!! ❤
I’m loving the mixture of the background singers who had their own careers but still humble enough to sing background. Tank is hilarious lol
I have been telling people for almost 20 years that Tank is the truth! He sings, writes, produces and plays instruments. Full circle Awesome artist and still underrated IMO.
The fact that he just casually sing and then talks in his normal voice. Amazing! Just…one of the most beautiful soul I’ve ever witness in music. The talent is undeniable.