Little Simz: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

The Tiny Desk is working from home for the foreseeable future. Introducing NPR Music's Tiny Desk (home) concerts, bringing you performances from across the country and the world. It's the same spirit — stripped-down sets, an intimate setting — just a different space.

Bobby Carter | August 31, 2021
A lot has happened since we last saw Little Simz at the Tiny Desk in 2017. Her stock as an actress has risen thanks to her role on the Drake-pushed reboot of Top Boy on Netflix; her 2019 album, Grey Area, made plenty of best-of-the-year lists, and the London native received the prestigious Pioneer Award at last year's AIM Awards.

For her Tiny Desk home concert Simz beamed to us from a more modest setting than all of that might imply: a living room, dropped inside a void. But it's an appropriate space for Simz to introduce her self-searching new album, Sometimes I Might Be Introvert. That arc is pulled together here by a proficient group of players interpreting the relaxed sound of producer Inflo (who is on a run like few in the game at the moment – see Sault and Cleo Sol.) They open with the pulsing military drum and grandiose keys of the record's title track, closing with the bounce and sway of "Woman," dedicated to her mom. Between, a brutally honest message for her father, "I Love You, I Hate You," and a premiere of the Afrobeat bop "Point and Kill," featuring fellow London-based artist Obongjayar.

SET LIST
"Introvert"
"I Love You, I Hate You"
"Point and Kill" (featuring Obongjayar)
"Woman"
MUSICIANS

Little Simz: vocals
Kadeem 'Kadz Keyz' Clarke: keys
Osiris 'OTG' Wilson: vocals, percussion, DJ
Emanuel J Burton: drums
Kenan Shepherd: bass
Chrio Blake: guitar
Obongjayar: vocals
Olivia 'Livi Lovez' Williams: vocals
Ladonna Young: vocals
Rachael 'Chella Mac' Mckenzie: vocals

CREDITS
Video: Jeremy Cole, Neicee Oakley, Untold Studios
Audio: Claudio Cueni

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Bobby Carter
Video Producer: Maia Stern
Audio Mastering: Andy Huether
Tiny Production Team: Bob Boilen, Kara Frame, Josh Rogosin, Gabrielle Pierre
Executive Producer: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

#nprmusic #tinydesk #littlesimz

[nprmusic]

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[Krustenkaese]

God, there's nothing better than hip hop with an actual backing band. The whole vibe is so fundamentally different.

[ap]

Forget Kanye, forget Drake, This woman’s album is the one I’m looking forward to the most!

[SwedePotato]

This woman's album us a straight 10/10 no skips. I only wished I'd found her sooner. She's incredible.

[danurquhart]

The lyricism is top notch. Little Simz empowering people around the globe to connect, love and heal

[tatyanafairman]

In addition to being insanely talented, she’s truly one of the most gorgeous women I’ve ever laid eyes on 🥺✨

[teeej]

I hate to play the “under appreciated card, ” but man it is really a crime that more people haven’t heard her music yet. She is undisputedly one of the best artists of our generation. I will be sharing this album all year long.

[veej]

Simz is already a legend. The world been waiting for her.

[mdumisenisithomo]

The background singers sound like AIR. So heavenly

[bertkauwenberghs]

Strongest voice of her generation! She reminds me of Lauryn Hill but even more powerful - she's up there with Kendrick for me! nothing but love for LS

[MissJessiePie]

"All I see is black stars and I fricking love it". Top moment right there. Sublime.

[kildogery]

I've just become 6% cooler just from watching this.
Cheers NPR.

[Woopo]

Pairing with Obongjayar has been the best thing i’ve witnessed for a while

[bdpyne]

Man, I’m in love. She’s taking hip hop in a direction it’s needed for a long time.

Gotta’ say, the British music scene is on fire right now.

[laceybenson]

"I love you, I hate you" puts all the conflicted feelings of fatherlessness into perspective. Gotta forgive, but do it on your terms. Love her for digging down into her pain to show us her strength and resiliency.

[mrpinkfroud]

I am 55 years old and I have loved music since I was a child. I grew up in the rock era. Now I'm listening to this concert and I can say that it is a piece of excellent music. In this boring and secondary world of music, this music is like a sunrise over a dark valley.

[majshkdt]

17:47 the girls from the chorus vibing and letting each other shine was everything

[oryade]

You can feel the NIGERIAN CONNECTION right there when OBONGJAYAR came in with that WEST AFRICAN DISCO SOUND. If my dad was alive, he will be vibing with y'all on this one. Proud Of Y'all.

[JJJameson.]

This hits like Anderson Paak's tiny desk, all hits no misses

[hey_perez]

That "Woman" arrangement was amazing, incredible vocals, fuzzy jazz and top performance