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The Roots feat. Bilal: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert Hotney 2 Streams • 4 years ago

Watch The Roots feat. Bilal play at the Tiny Desk.

Did you know you can watch new Tiny Desk Concerts on npr.org ONE WEEK before they go up on YouTube? Click here: https://www.npr.org/tinydesk

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Oct. 30, 2017 | Abby O'Neill -- Can you believe it? Yes, those are The Roots packed behind the Tiny Desk. Black Thought, Questlove and the crew carved out a few hours in their hectic Tonight Show schedule to visit NPR headquarters in Washington D.C. Why travel four hours for a 12-minute concert when you own the late-night airwaves? The answer can be found in the lyrics to The Roots' new song, "It Ain't Fair."

Armed with the incredible vocalist Bilal, The Roots performed the signature track from Detroit, a film about the race riots in 1967. "It Ain't Fair" glares unflinchingly, takes a knee and raises a fist against the societal construct that has systematically denied equality of experience to those "presumed inferior," to quote one of Bilal's verses. And it achieves all this while covering its heart with its right hand. This reflective hymn tenderly yanks your heart strings and offers a window into the ethos of those who would like to stand for the flag but cannot in good principle, lest these same evils continue to exist.

Those lucky enough to be in the Tiny Desk audience witnessed masters at work. Black Thought is truly one of the most intelligent emcees ever, and his razor-sharp lyricism was on full display. Questlove, a musical and cultural historian nonpareil, was both a metronomical and moral anchor. It felt like the culmination of decades of academic rigor and boom-bap sessions, fittingly backed by a seven-piece horn section. Bilal's falsetto-laced vocals and warm resonance evoked powerful messaging reminiscent of Curtis Mayfield's "Don't Worry," delivered with the eccentricity of Prince.

Late last year, Common premiered "Letter to the Free" at the Tiny Desk and later won an Emmy for the song. It wouldn't surprise me if "It Ain't Fair" becomes another award-winning performance when the Oscars roll around early next year. This is a song that deserves to be heard in the millions of households that watch The Roots every night.

Set List

"It Ain't Fair"

MUSICIANS

Curtis L. Jones Jr (Trombone), Arnetta Johnson (Trumpet), Hiruy E. Tirfe (Sax), Richard L. Tate II (Sax), Joseph Streater (Trumpet), Norman J. Bradshaw (Trombone), Damon Bryson (Sousaphone), Ahmir (Questlove) Thompson (Drums), Tarik (Black Thought) Trotter (Emcee), Bilal Oliver (Vocals)

CREDITS

Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Producers: Abby O'Neill, Morgan Noelle Smith; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Maia Stern, Kara Frame, Alyse Young; Photo: Claire Harbage/NPR

For more Tiny Desk concerts, subscribe to our podcast.

DJ Envy Talks Breakfast Club Replacement, Worst Interview, Charlamagne Tha God, Angela Yee Hotney 2 Streams • 4 years ago

Raashaun Casey, better known as DJ Envy, is a record producer and radio personality. He is one of the hosts of the syndicated radio show The Breakfast Club, alongside Charlamagne tha God on Power 105.1 in New York City.

In this interview Marco immediately confronts Envy about actually performing as a DJ. Envy defends himself and Marco asks where Envy got his name. Envy explains how the name came about. Marco continues the questions including being a little messy. Marco confronts Envy in regard to his relationship with Charlamagne. Marco continues the barrage of offbeat questions and Envy is not amused. The back and forth small talk continues and gets awkward as man dates become the subject. Envy tries to redirect the questions and Marco is not one to be duped. An impromptu comedian named “Cheating Ass Myron” comes on stage and Marco leads the audience in a less than raucous laughter. Marco dismisses the comedian and Envy shows little to no emotion. Marco continues the questions and Envy takes exception to Marco’s outfit. Marco asks what’s next and Envy talks about the origin of The Breakfast Club and what’s the future of his show. Marco asks a question and Envy talks about his fear of not having a Q-tip. The producer hands Envy a Q-tip which looks used. Marco continues the conversation and asks about his career in acting. Envy expounds. The interview continues and Marco asks Envy about the interview and Envy reveals this may be his worst interview. The producer interjects and reveals the crew did not slate which becomes awkward. Marco and Envy go back and forth and the energy is tense. A fan asks to take a picture and Envy obliges. The producer interjects and Marco masterfully wraps the interview.

Executive Producers for Breakbeat: Dave Mays & Brett Jeffries

Executive Producers: Marco Summers & Harvey Sutton

Director: Matt Ables IG @mattablespromotions

Filmed on location at 4U Recording, Atlanta

IG @Breakbeatmedia @FunnyMarco

Comment, like and subscribe on the Breakbeat Media YouTube page, subscribe on Apple, Spotify or wherever podcasts are available, and visit us at www.breakbeatmedia.com

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