Erykah Badu: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert
Aug. 15, 2018 | Felix Contreras — Some folks around the NPR Music office said they felt an almost spiritual connection to Erykah Badu during her visit to the Tiny Desk. And that was before she and her band even played a single note. It came from the waft of earthly scents that followed in her wake, to the flowing dreads and clothes that hung on her like robes.
After her self-introduction, which included a rundown of her spiritual and creative aliases, Badu rolled into one of her earliest musical calling cards, “Rimshot.” It’s an ode to the sound the percussionist makes when a drumstick is struck against the metal edge of the snare drum. On this performance, as on her 1997 album Baduizm, it becomes a device to play with time — stretching it, stopping it, suspending it. Propelled by jazz chords on the piano and the steady pulse of the acoustic bass, the playful performance unfolded in the tradition of the best bebop.
But the panoramic song “Green Eyes” is the centerpiece of Badu’s Tiny Desk performance. It’s wide-ranging in scope and musical arrangement and brilliantly executed by the jazz and hip-hop musicians in her backing band. The story of heartbreak is striking enough, but her interpretation showcases her formidable vocal skills. By the time it was over, we were all just as emotionally and spiritually spent as she was from the experience.
Erykah Badu is an artist for the ages. To old-school jazz fans like myself, names like Nina Simone, Betty Carter and Shirley Horn come to mind as much as Billie Holiday because of Badu’s singular approach to a lyric. They all cut their own creative path and left behind a legacy that you can identify with just one note. Erykah Badu is on that same path, and one day her name will be mentioned along with the other Elders who share her spirit of musical adventure.
Set List
“Rimshot”
“Green Eyes”
Musicians
Erykah Badu (lead vocals), RC Williams (Keys), Braylon Lacy (bass), Cleon Edwards (Drums), Frank Moka (Percussion), Kenneth Whalum (Sax), Keyon Harrold (Trumpet), Dwayne Kerr (Flute)
Credits
Producers: Abby O’Neill, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Maia Stern, Kara Frame, Khun Minn Ohn, CJ Riculan; Production Assistants: Catherine Zhang, Téa Mottolese; Photo: Morgan Noelle Smith/NPR.
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She is supremely talented!
Fantastica meravigliosa numero 1❤
Horrible, voice is trash
Its weird because when I first heard Erykah or this live specifically was 2 months ago. I didnt appreciate the music at first because it was new to my ears. And now I've been listening to this session almost everyday. Promise there's something with Ms.Badu hahaha, I just cant get it out of my head
My God this woman is amazing…
I feel like she's the Larry David of music… She does whatever the $$ck she wants cause she's that good…
Back in 2025!!
Here in 2025. Looking forward to Erykah's new release soon!
11:40 this part gave me chills
So Beautiful
Fantastica ❤
gracias derek por tanto perdon por tan poco
thank you npr
Hi, NPR Music,
I love watching your Tiny Desk Concerts. However, you seem to omit closed captioning in your videos. While it may seem strange to include them, they can benefit many people. One group that closed captioning is helpful for is deaf people. Despite popular belief, deaf people experience music just like hearing people do. The omittance of closed captioning reinforces the perception that deaf individuals cannot appreciate music like hearing people do. Including closed captions will aid deaf people in following along with the video. I hope you will take my comment into consideration. Thank you!
Erykah Badu is not Indian and she is not Ethiopian why do she have that on her fingertips only Indian women and Ethiopian women do that and they do it to let you know that they're taking and that they are the queen of their families she is neither one stop being fake
excelente, la numero 1 te amo desde argentina!!!! te esperamos siempre
I worked 4 the H.O.B. in Las Vegas , and had the pleasure to meet Miss Badu and her beautiful family! She was a sweetheart, and the show was dope. Caught R.C. in a small spot in LA incredible night!
2025 and still here