Music

After elevating Afropop's standing with a standout guest spot on Wizkid's "Essence" and becoming a secret weapon for Rihanna, Drake and Beyoncé, Tems is ready for center stage.Adrienne Raquel Tems makes a great case for quitting. Before she was captivating millions with deep, dynamic vocals and setting a new pace for African artists on a global stage, the Nigerian singer-songwriter was daydreaming of the life in music she leads now. […]

This Black Music Month, Tiny Desk is giving the ladies their flowers. We’re releasing nine Tiny Desk concerts from Black women artists, from veterans who’ve paved the way for what we hear today in Black music, to those who are carving out their own paths. Before we start, a warning, this concert includes a song about suicide. Tierra Whack and her band she dubbed "The Big Backs" might go down […]

In a recent interview, King Willonius, a multifaceted comedian and tech enthusiast, shared his journey from childhood inspirations to groundbreaking intersections of comedy and artificial intelligence (AI). Known for his innovative project BBL Drizzy, an AI-generated song that became a viral sensation, his story is one of relentless creativity, perseverance, and the seamless merging of humor with cutting-edge technology. Early Inspirations and Comedy Beginnings King Willonius discovered his comedic talent […]

Credit: Photo: Estefania Mitre This Black Music Month, Tiny Desk is giving the ladies their flowers. We’re releasing nine Tiny Desk concerts from Black women artists, from veterans who’ve paved the way for what we hear today in Black music, to those who are carving out their own paths. To hear Tems tell the audience that she was shy came as a surprise to me. As a performer, she captivates […]

Tierra Whack May 31, 2024 - Washington D.C.- NPR Music is thrilled to announce this year's Black Music month programming at the Tiny Desk. The all-women lineup includes: Tems, Chaka Khan, Tierra Whack, Kierra Sheard, Lakecia Benjamin, Meshell Ndegeocello, Brittney Spencer, SWV and Flo Milli. Host and series producer Bobby Carter and the rest of the Tiny Desk team will highlight the different generations of musicians beginning June 3. The […]

Meshell Ndegeocello Announces Second Blue Note Album, No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin PHOTO BY ANDRE WAGNER On August 2, 2024, celebrated multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, and producer Meshell Ndegeocello will release her second Blue Note album, No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin. This ambitious project, coinciding with his centennial, is a profound homage to the eminent writer and activist James Baldwin. It promises to be a […]