Ab-Soul: Tiny Desk Concert
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- čas přidán 22. 02. 2023
- This year's Black History Month celebration at the Tiny Desk features a carefully crafted lineup spanning many genres, generations and walks of life. Each artist represents the best in their class and will be performing at the Tiny Desk for the first time.
Bobby Carter | February 23, 2023
Hip-hop artists arguably make the most significant adjustments to play behind the Tiny Desk. The essence is two turntables and a microphone which, in time, evolved into bands for some. Ab-Soul, rarely seen with a live band, hand-picked a group of musicians he deemed the "Soulersystem" for his turn at the Desk. This display of raw honesty and next-level lyricism comes from his latest album, HERBERT. Before launching into some brand-new bars, he reminded us we'd approached a landmark in hip-hop culture this year: "We just here to restore the feeling. What you say? Fifty years of hip hop?"
Herbert Stevens IV is a prime example of how rap music has grown. There's always a song to feel good and party to. Soul can do that, but he's best known for his music's depth, vulnerability and wordplay. The Carson, Calif. native has spared few details about what he's endured and how much he's lost. The opening frame of his performance shows the back of his customized jacket, featuring an image of one of his best friends, DoeBurger, who passed in 2021. The framed pictures surrounding the desk are from his childhood, some graphically detailing his bout with Stevens-Johnson syndrome. This rare disorder ravaged his skin and eventually left him legally blind.
Between the HERBERT songs, Soul delivered more never-heard-before rhymes over instrumentals from 2012's Control System. He perfectly conveys the emotional shift between the two "BE LIKE THAT" verses, and throughout the entire set, the band adds even more subtle nuances. He closes with "GOTTA RAP," but not before another exclusive verse that will surely get people talking. Ab-Soul wanted to release his Tiny Desk on his birthday, which feels suitable as he considers this his "second second chance."
SET LIST
"MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE"
"Bohemian Grove"
"IT BE LIKE THAT"
"FOMF"
"Terrorist Threats"
"FALLACY"
"DO BETTER"
"The Book of Soul"
"GOTTA RAP"
MUSICIANS
Ab-Soul: vocals
Amaire Johnson: keys, music director
Josh Rose: bass
Taylor Hecocks: guitar
Timothy McLaurin: drums
David Young: trumpet
Kevin Woods: trumpet
Gabrielle Garo: saxophone, flute
Noleac Yahsin: vocals
Lance Skiiiwalker: vocals, effects
Zacari: vocals
TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Bobby Carter
Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Creative Director: Bob Boilen
Director/Editor: Joshua Bryant
Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Catie Dull, Sofia Seidel, Maia Stern
Audio Assistant: Alex Drewenskus
Production Assistants: Ashley Pointer, Jill Britton
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Kara Frame, Marissa Lorusso, Hazel Cills
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann
#nprmusic #tinydesk #absoul - Hudba
Hey Tiny Desk Fans,
Check out NPR’s Black Stories, Black Truths - a collection of podcasts hosted by journalists who speak truth to power. Our voices are as varied, nuanced, and dynamic as the Black experience. And stories should never be about us without us. Listen now: www.npr.org/podcasts/510372/black-stories-black-truths
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😊
😊
😊😊😊
💯💯💯💯💯
Dude had me tearing up during GOTTA RAP you can fake a lot of things in music but that energy that comes from the soul you can’t fake that
Yup
Exactly why I love and appreciate live instrumentation in any genre. True artistry, no autotune, it's all in the moment.
No lie he did go crazy on gottarap everybody did 🐐
🥲
Facts.
How dare you quietly upload this like you ain’t uploaded this…
😂
Nah, frfr💯🤞🏿💪🏿🙏🏿
😂😂 huh??? I got every notification but not this one bruuhh!
Right
They hating on soul for speaking that down to earth language
I think I’m at the point where I definitely enjoy live performances more then the actual songs 😂
his mixing/mastering engineer needs to be fired immediately
Gotta rap sounds better live
@@wasabijones4571 This just sounds easier on the ears to me
@@nuffa2379 and "Do better"
As a California native, it's sad that not one Hip Hop station has played his music yet here he is. It's a testament to his talent and work ethic. If either he or TDE sees this, please come back to Carson High. The Black kids need to see you.
Wish LA stations played him or did recent interviews. Big boy has interviewed him in the pass but hasn't mentioned him with this album. Soul recently posted a video of him visiting Carson high.
he went back to Carson High recently
@@jonathanmaduike That’s debatable
@@deltagirl2004 its not, check on CZcams
@@jonathanmaduike You're trolling and I'm not here for it. The point of the post was to 1. highlight how dope of an artist AbSoul while empathizing with his very point of how he is not recognized amongst his peers 2. offer a solution to said point by emphasizing how to engage the youth. You want to harped on one point while missing the whole.
"I know better than most that the Soul don't die. Took a leap. Shattered my leg and lost some teeth. and I'm still standing behind every word I speak." Herbert Snapped.
This line doesn’t get the respect it deserves
And that's the beauty about discovering these little gems... Give it time Soulo did say "this is long term"
When I first heard that line I lost it and immediately looked up everything about the incident like "how'd I miss that" 😢 over the years hoping he was good always looking forward to hearing from him only to find out his world was spinning and he wanted to stop it I was devastated
Chills 😣
Lucky for us ❤ he survived🙏🏻blessed 😀👍🏼
To the future generations, don't let this die. Ab-Soul is a Legend.
never heard of him
@@darinp5612 Well you have now. Consider yourself blessed! 💯🔥
bro discovered real music real bars real soul @@darinp5612
@@darinp5612it’s never too late. Ab Soul is HIM
@@TheRealLeonardWashington it's garbage
The coy smile. The adorable lisp. The impeccable delivery. And of course, the incredible lyrics & wordplay. Chef’s kiss. Hope he brings the band on the road. I’m ready to cry and heal in person with all the rest of the Souler System
Yes indeed!
✨
Well said sister
beautifully said
Brooo Soul we love you in South Africa 🇿🇦 Link up this side please
Yezzur
Factz
"MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE": @0:00
"Bohemian Grove Instrumental": @1:16
"IT BE LIKE THAT": @1:50
"FOMF": @5:07
"Terrorist Threats Instrumental" @7:30
"FALLACY" @8:24
"DO BETTER"@10:36
"The Book of Soul Instrumental"@14:05
"GOTTA RAP"@14:48
This needs to be the top comment.
Yea thank you for this
i see he doesn’t preform control system on purpose. still got super hype when bohemian grove first came on
@@Adrieeennn unfortunately the songs i wanted to hear on here were only instrumentals.
Same :( was dying to hear some old bars those are some my favorite songs in life son
This rendition of Gotta Rap is an absolute game changer. The emotion and energy behind every bar is moving.
Ab-solutely
The freestly in the and has so much passion in it
The last 10 minutes it's just nuts
Chills all over my soul
I was so excited watching him go off….Ab-Soul the secret weapon..it’s time to eat!!!!!
Facts
This version of Gotta rap is a masterpiece. Would love for a whole album with Ab Soul and this band.
This Tiny Desk is everything
No lie spotted
They dropped a Mac vinyl of his tiny desk. I wish they did for all their sets
This version of It Be Like That is masterpiece!
This is easily Soulo's best live performance ever. He's totally in his element here.
Facts!!
Having live instruments/backup vocals behind you just adds to the element, more rappers should get some musicians instead of always having an audiotrack at their concerts
The book of soul is one of the greatest songs of all time !! Wish he performed it all
No normal Ab Soul heavy lyricism, no crazy beat, no chorus, just a raw/sad song about a tragic relationship he had. That song gives me chills.
@@MFBloosh This is why it's one of my favourites too. The switch from it sounding like a love song to being a tragic one is done so well.
Preach fam preach
That song made me a fan. Best Song ever
Maan he was blowing me not performing none of The Control System. I was sick! 😂 But I still loved the performance as a whole. Soul went crazy at the end too! 🔥🔥🔥
This performance got me tearing up...I'm on the other side of life manifesting an Ab soul performance in South Africa 🇿🇦
Prophecy Lolo prophecy
💪
Fam I def cried especially the first time I hearing it on tiny desk
I hope you get that chance!! Will be manifesting with you! 💯
Im with you bro, we need to see this guy as soon as possible 🙌🏽⛪️
Best tiny desk I’ve ever witnessed.
The way the band broke into those jazz interlude iterations of Control System heavy hitters was just exquisite. This is a tiny desk classic.
It feels like we are in a renaissance of the time of the Soulquarians
Bro pulled up with the longest setlist and the band is dope
THANK YOU AB-SOUL
Title fight!!!
He had to fight hard for more than four songs. Shout out to NPR & Tiny Desk for supporting Ab's vision
Shades stuck to my face hoodie glued to my head hiding from the same world that made me who I am deep rest (depressed) can’t even get outta bed TOO BLESSED TO BE SO STRESSED !
Why am I just seeing this?!!! Why wasn’t solo promoted?!
TDE x TDC: the collab we don’t deserve but needed. Love seeing this level of lyricist at the desk. Soul!
Don't deserve but we needed, what does that even mean lol. It's music man, it's art. Nothing more nothing less. They are artists creating.
@@Nick-7OP just expressing their gratitude and what it means to em
Fomfaccccce
@@Nick-7 ab-soul is god lol jk
@bc3nt
But why sell yourself short of what you deserve or not lol. Just enjoy the music. Be happy people are creating art
Soul finally getting the recognition he deserves!!! This is such a great performance!!!!!
THIS LONGTERM ♾️⚡️💕
Yes indeed 💯🔥💪🏽
Stumbled across this a year later 😅! Love me some Ab Soul! This man deserves more than just flowers, he deserves the whole garden for this 💪🏽 ❤
So many lines everyone of you can call me back 😅
"Lord knows it's been like that , but it ain't got to end like that " feel like this has so much hope attached to it
If you actually read the bible you'll see it DOES end in fire flames and destruction of sinners and the wicked.
@@scripturenestI should tell my 6 year old brotha that. He’s gotta know the world he lives in ends in destruction. Gotta make sure he understands too so that way he lives with anxiety everyday of his life. Thank you.
Much love to Soul brother number 2, I've been a fan since 2012, a decade deep and he keeps on gettin better .
RIP Alori Joh, Doe Burger, and Mac Miller 🕊️🙌🏽
It’s an honour to be born at a time I can hear this.
This gonna make me go back and re listen to all his music again
Honestly the effort and emotion soul puts not only his studio versions but the live versions is incredible.
Honestly one of the best tiny desk concerts ever
Check out JID tiny desk performance it was good as well
I totally agree!!!
facts
@@carlincole3236 them both go crazy
So happy for Ab-Soul. Lance Skiiiwalker and Zacari with the background vocals too! 🙌. TDE in the Tiny Desk building 🔥🎵🔥
This is now my favorite tiny desk concert.
Ab soul and the soular system was beyond what I expected.
Been listening to Ab Soul for a long time, I felt blessed when he came out with Herbert, such an amazing album. This performance spoke to my soul and brought me to tears, Ab soul please don’t ever stop, you are a movement and I’m happy to witness and listen to it 🙌🏾❤️
Wow I can't believe they played a bit of Bohemian Grove! One of my favorite Ab Soul tracks ever. Beautiful to hear it like that.
Gotta Rap is one of the best Tiny Desk performances of all time and I've been watching these for a long time. 🔥✊🏾
🙏🏾
Agree
Agreed!!! Beautifully delivered. the band killed
@@matthewsalmon431 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
So true! So happy for this brotha final getting his flowers as one of the best lyricist in the game
Happy Birthday Ab-Soul, thank you for sharing your talent.
This man Soulo really proved why he's the GOAT!!! The emotion and energy and the way he crafted this whole performance with the love and contribution of the beautiful band is just heart warming!!! I was so happy to hear that last bonus Verse/Freestyle at the end!!!! Had me in awwes!!!! Soulo is a National treasure!!!💎💎💎💎👑👑👑👑❤🔥❤🔥❤🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
I was sleeping on Ab. I apologize, this is SPECTACULAR. Band sounds amazing, potent lyrics, and a lot of emotion. Thank you
Better late than never
We all discover music differently. We're just glad you're here ✊🏾
Guys a wordsmith genius
Ab is one of the best pens ever in my opinion. TDE has nothing but straight writers and spitters fr.
Mannnn his freestyle at the end was 🔥🔥🔥 Ab-Soul is incredible
Been smiling throughout the whole performance, good to see Ab-soul getting the recognition he rightfully deserves 🔥
It's refreshing to hear Herbert speak from the Soul again. Theology aside.
Thanks for taking us to church Pastor Black Lip. Can’t thank this guy enough for the inspiration his music has brought to my life. He is one of the reason I started to sharpen my own poetry. This whole arrangement was pristine & in perfect timing with the state of affairs that the world is in. We all gotta do better ❤
we need more from the "SOULour system"
Shed tears watching this. You can tell he’s been through a lot through his voice
Me too lol
He lost alot of people.
The live rendition of Do Better is so raw and beautiful man…
gave me goose bumps
Brought me to tears man. Beautiful
its not on point what are you talking aBOUT
Almost shed a tear. I know the feeling
Wow. I felt every second of this performance. Thank you Ab-Soul!!!
Man how can you not FEEL this?! Dropped one of the coldest Hip-Hop albums with ‘HERBERT’ last year…special, special artist! Powerful widdit!🗣🗣🗣🗣🔥🔥🔥🔥
This album hits the Soul. The energy he gives this performance is incredible.
I can honestly say I’ve never seen ab perform his music live. This was amazing.
it's absolutely criminal that this doesn't have a million views yet! Ab Soul is the true GOAT when it comes to bars!
One of the most underrated dudes in the game. Incredible artist!!! 💯💯💯
Facts⛪️
“It be like that” sounds like a nod to mac miller’s 2009 love it
and thanking everybody for being here
Album was so good, now a Tiny Desk. Ab-Soul spoiling us.
I knew Ab-soul was a great artist, but he has solidified himself on my top 5 with this latest album. I needed this album in the point of my life that I'm at. It seriously strikes some chords in me in a way I can't convey. He is not given nearly the attention he deserves when it comes to the TDE roster. I hope this dude gets his slice. Much love.❤
I love love Ab!!! So good to see and hear him after so long.
"Wear the crown of thorns for sport I'm just waiting for the stone to hit me"🔥🔥😭
Yo, That extra verse in God Of Rap was fire, I was buggin out in my seat! Soul, man...great performance.
This performance has been very very important to me. I've been hoping and wishing @AB-SOUL Would be here on tiny desk. His story needs to be HEARD. He has so much heart and he pours it out so directive. He's speaking all of our stories within ONE 🪬 I love this performance 🎙️🍄🎶😎
This gotta be one of the best NPR perfomances!!
This was perfect timing, I woke up to this and about roll up for this 🔥🔥
❤️
I got five on it
I’ve watched this like 7x today.. I lost my father two days ago and I needed this! It Be Like That really speaking to me right now. The emotion when he did Gotta Rap brought me to tears man.. This a catharsis for me fr. This is why Soul one of my favorite artist! 💯🙏🏾
I’m sorry for your loss. Stay strong 💓
🫂
Sorry for your loss Jordan. Praying for your strength. This will make you stronger and more fearless than you’ve ever been ❤️💯.
🙏
@@Princess.Shay8 thank you so much
Cant watch this man without dropping a tear . Congrats to SOLO
I lost my Mom in 2021. Not gonna lie, I felt her energy while watching this snd almost cried. Gotta hold it together tho, bout to open up shop. One Love Ab-Soul!
✊️
I play Do Better nearly every day. Its my mantra coz Im tryna stay up. Didn't think I could love it anymore than I already did, but this one gave me goosebumps on first listen. This is a really masterful Tiny Desk, everything about it is well executed. Gotta Rap is full on beast mode. Thank you Ab-Soul!
Hearing Book of Soul made me slip a tear. You look good Soul. This is the music we need. And you’re a blessing.
Facts
Wish I could like this twice. The energy and instrumentation was on point!
The song order is actually put together so beautifully. It lets you process your emotions and finishes off with Gotta Rap because we still gotta master our craft no matter what it is and what you've fought through. Long term Ab Soul fan and couldn't be more proud of him. Crazy to think some of us have been listening to and growing with this man 11+ years now.
One of the best Tiny Desk concerts. „Gotta Rap“ was really touching. 🔥❤
Everyone who is on TDE has tapped into this sound and have mastered it they put all different elements of music out. It be like Christmas fr.. Love Soul!
deadass no lie, sometimes I feel like ppl take beautiful music for granted
@@storymode5470 definitely do!
Yeah dat !!🔥
Ab-Soul and the band. SUPER DOPE!
Thank you Herbert
One of the Best Tiny Desk performances we are seeing.
"...All they talk about is Kenny Drizzy and Cole and i'm inspired by all of them but honestly neither one of them can live without a Soul.
That ain't a diss at all
I'm just claiming where i fit in..." the fastest stank face ever... my godness ab 🔥🔥🔥😤
Wow. Standing ovation for the man. The artist. The soul. Ab Soul. ‼️ From NYC, love to all. Bless.
Never seen soul perform with so much emotion before. wow. this was amazing
I would love to hear Zacari and Ab-Soul do an entire album this year.
That extra verse at the end of "Gotta Rap" was golden...I hope Soulo drops a Deluxe for Herbert
Every time when I listen to ‘Bucket’ and ‘Do Better’ the message of the songs it somehow conveys, evokes emotions in me, it fully resonates with my spirit” Herb, you gotta do better before it’s too late”. ❤️ This is a pure masterpiece ❤️
Hello from Japan🇯🇵
Thank you amazing performance&music!!
見てくれてありがとう
Ab-soul left the earth on this one "My pool of thought will probably drown Aquaman" 🤯
Dude! Soul is a celestial being, breathing in 7D
"IT BE LIKE THAT" made my day. Needed the message. Thank you!
The fact that he freestyled the last minute and a half was absolute fire🤯
Soulo is outta this world
The arrangement, structure and sequencing, pacing, and substance here is top tier.
Solo criminally underrated
All the musicians did fantastically. Loved the background vocals from Zacari, Lance, and Nolec. Never heard of Nolec before, hope for good things!
I very much agree. Is she (Nolec) on the TDE roster? Does she have any projects? Is she on IG? She hit that note good. Who is she???
I was feeling rage before I watched this and the wise words of Ab-Soul made me rethink why I’m even be feeling this type of way. We’re part of something bigger. We gotta be bigger, do better, think better. Everyone stay up
Bless im in that boat but floating to a better day...💯🎼
Bro.
My same situation at the moment. I needed to see this thank you bro much love
Thanks bro I needed this … wish I would have seen it before I spazzed out on everybody but I’m receiving it now and applying it moving forward. 🙏🏾
Keep ya head up
Something about a great live band that brings even more out of truly great lyricists. Respect Ab-Soul. One of the best albums of 2022.
INSANE TINY DESK PERFORMANCE. Ab def gave more than we deserved
Wow. I was not expecting to watch the best Tiny Desk Concert yet. That was incredible.
Was not expecting all of these Ab-Soul classics to be performed. Happy bday Soul!
Mad and happy I’m just now seeing this ❤😢❤
SOUL!!!!
One of the greatest Tiny Desk Concerts.
SOULOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
I'm 10 seconds in and I have to rework my TDC top 3.
Yall don't know how much this means. Love from South Africa.
what are the other 2?
Yes what are they?
@@dansilva71 yall might laugh but I cry every time I watch Roots - Bilal is a spirit being. Then T-Pain. That man doesn't get enough credit.
@@lyndxnjoel6917 na bro that's dopee g
@@lyndxnjoel6917 bilal is indeed! Soul sista plus many others were off this planet
In my wildest dreams I never thought I’d see Ab-Soul get to be up here and be absolutely did not disappoint. One of the most effortlessly great performances. Shout him and the whole band
AB soul is my Ab-soul-ute favorite artist! This is hands down the best tiny desk concert out🔥🔥🔥
Yessss I literally just woke up and it's like Christmas morning
Loved the extra lines on Gotta Rap!! Keep blessing our souls with your music, SOUL!! 🙏
Soulo entered into my top 10 of this era over a decade ago and never left.
ONE OF MY BIGGEST HIP HOP HERO's NO CAP!
The homage to Jay-Z 1:18 is incredible.. Real hip hop essence!!!
I was thinking the exact same thing. It was masterful how he did that
I think he was listening to jayz unplugged to prep for this.
This was unbelievable. Favorite tiny desk in awhile. That gotta rap rendition was wild 🔥
He really adds so much soul to rap!