Wiz Khalifa: Tiny Desk Concert

This Black Music Month, Tiny Desk honors the anniversaries of landmark albums that have shaped the course of music and culture.

Wiz Khalifa‘s Kush & Orange Juice came out 15 years ago. To honor the anniversary, the Pittsburgh emcee assembled a group of Tiny Desk veterans, Pennsylvania natives and his DJ to reimagine highlights from the classic mixtape, plus tracks from Kush & Orange Juice 2, its similar, yet more mature follow-up.

Something was happening during the entire show and lots of us in the room could feel it. We were waiting for him to engage with us, but he didn’t. I stepped in after a few songs to remind him that it was OK to do so — still, nothing. But then, after “Crime Bud and Women,” Wiz spoke to the audience for the first and only time, wiping away tears: “You made me cry. F*** y’all!”

I can muster up a few guesses as to why the emotion overflowed. Wiz had a host of family and friends present in this very intimate setting, including his father. And he did tell me how much he loves performing. But honestly, this sonic masterpiece was good enough to hit the tear ducts.

SET LIST

• “Red Eye” 
• “Mezmorized” 
• “The Kid Frankie” 
• “Never Been”
• “Up”
• “Crime Bud and Women” 

MUSICIANS

• Wiz Khalifa: vocals
• Kenneth Wright: music director, bass
• DJ Bonics: turntables
• Uncle Bubz: keys
• Russell Gelman-Sheehan: guitar
• Kendall Lewis: drums

TINY DESK TEAM

• Producer: Bobby Carter
• Director/Editor: Joshua Bryant
• Audio Technical Director: Josh Newell
• Video Editor: Kara Frame
• Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Kara Frame, Maia Stern
• Audio Engineer: Josephine Nyounai
• Production Assistants: Ashley Pointer, Dora Levite
• Photographer: Catie Dull
• Tiny Desk Series Editor: Lars Gotrich
• Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
• Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
• VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins

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