George Clinton & The P-Funk All Stars: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Jan. 24, 2018 | Abby O'Neill -- The rhythm of family has been a constant thread throughout P-Funk's long lineage and the myriad iterations the band has undergone in its 50-plus years. From The Parliaments to Funkadelic to Parliament Funkadelic to the P-Funk All Stars, George Clinton has conducted the mothership as a reliable father figure. When he commands you to "put a glide in your stride and a dip in your hip, and come on up to the Mothership," he's presenting to you the first law of Funktonian physics. We at NPR pledged our groovellegiance when he and his P-Funk All Stars touched down to bless the Tiny Desk.

Clinton has brought his own bloodline into the most recent lineup of P-Funk: His grandchildren are the newest backup singers, while another grandchild serves as tour manager. Though this was a much smaller outfit than their traditional stage shows — no horn section, no dancers, no Sir Nose D'Voidoffunk — the extended family was also in full effect. Garrett Shider on rhythm guitar, filling in for his late father, Garry Shider, aka Starchild. Even original trumpeter Bennie Cowan, who still tours with the group but didn't make it to the Tiny Desk, typically plays alongside his son Benzel on drums. Blackbyrd McKnight and Lige Curry cement the foundation as elder statesmen who've been rocking with Clinton since 1978.

Indeed, the funk father refuses to let the musicianship slip — the band was as sonically tight as ever, blessing us with a canonical three-song set list of classic jams. P-Funk's influence shaped '90s hip-hop and culture immeasurably; without Clinton, we'd have no NWA, no G-funk, no Tupac, no EPMD, no Ice Cube... and, of course, no one's forgotten about Dre. Clinton and P-Funk brought world class funksmanship, and it was our pleasure to air the room out and squeegee the floors after soaking up their cosmic slop.

Set List

"Standing On The Verge Of Getting It On"

"One Nation Under A Groove"

"Give up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)"

MUSICIANS

George Clinton (lead vocals), Dwayne Blackbyrd McKnight (guitar), Lige Curry (bass), Garrett Shider (guitar), Danny Bedrosian (keyboard), Benzel Cowan (drums), Tonysha Nelson (backup vocals), Patavian Lewis (backup vocals), Tairee Parks (backup vocals)

CREDITS

Producers: Abby O'Neill, Niki Walker, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Niki Walker, Maia Stern, Bronson Arcuri, Alyse Young; Production Assistant: Salvatore Maicki; Photo: Christina Ascani/NPR

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[lawrencemckissick]

If nobody gonna say it iam going to say it They better give him a lifetime achievement award while he is alive George Clinton has effected every genre of music the most sampled artist still living give his Honors Now Period!!

[chrisfisher]

This is not just music. This is our culture.

[metadelic]

George Clinton can’t be rated high enough for me. He is the inventor/ father of a whole genre of music! P-Funk . Dude is a living legend and treasure!!

[hermonbluesmaclin-theboogi]

I love that he had his grandchildren, Garry's son, and Bennie's son on the set. George and family riding on the Funk!

[rodneyfordsr.]

I'm literally crying right now, this man is a legend above any other musical legend!
He is the embodiment of all music.
P- Funk yall!

[Rachiraee]

I have met George Clinton recently and for 80 this man is sharp as a tack. Very humble guy. I was star struck!

[yvette]

I didn't even recognize George without the crazy hair. He's aging well.

[jh-lpqm]

"One Nation Under A Groove" is still the anthem this world needs!

[hopetrnr]

I met this guy (as a flight attendant) and he was so cool and personable with me right from the jump! As he took his seat in 3D, (yes I remember 😭🤦🏾‍♂️)I told him, "Listen, I don't usually bother celebrities, but I HAVE to tell you how instrumental you are to me as a singer and how much I honor you, respect you, and thank you for the contribution you have made to this world and the music industry!!" With prayer hands, he humbly bowed his head to me saying thank you thank you. He then turned to his caucasian wife (who was in the aisle seat) and whispered to her instead of me (Weird) "tell her to get me a ginger ale and a apple juice and nothing else for the remainder of the flight. As she began to tell me what he said, I cut her off by saying "I heard him." with a sarcastic "duh" facial expression. We both chuckled. He acted like he ain't hear nothing. (lol also weird) Went back to the galley kinda shocked he had a white wife. (Don't start yall. Yall know why. And not solely bc he black.) Brought back his drinks.. well.. to her lol.. then left him for the rest of the night. Some time went by. My call button went off. I looked and it was the wife handing me something. I went to see what she needed. "He wants you to have this." It was a signed CD of his new album. I said Awwww for real??! Are you serious??! Are you kidding me??? She began to laugh nodding her head yes. He thinks you're a very lovely lady and very good at your job. My hand fell on my heart; then I bowed my head, " I'm humbled." I then went back to the galley where I went to hide my little teenager girl shriek. Mind you-- I am something like a lesbian stud lol dressed masculine and everything lol. For that small little moment, it was a good day. 😃 Then, *insert creepy D minor chord* I had to go back to.. the passengers 😭😭😭and the foolishness that incurs with my job.🤦🏾‍♂️🤫😭😭 Anyhoo, that's my story about George Clinton.

I'll tell you about my Diana Ross story later.

[Bingleheimer]

"Jazz is the teacher - Funk is the preacher"

[TonyWHOA]

This is definitely one of the best Tiny Desks.

[Wilson]

its amazing George still has his voice after 60yrs. of partying

[josephlovesgod]

13 minutes is simply not long enough time for George Clinton to rock a set!!! Need more!!!!

[dongray]

THIS IS THE FUNK THAT CONTRIBUTED TO MAKING DR. DRE A BILLIONAIRE!!!!

[nmayo]

Growing up in the 70s was a REAL musical experience that isn't relatable today.. Thank God for the funk!

[buzztrucker]

Tiny Desk went *Huge Desk* with this one. Awesome guest!

[ranieridisacco]

The female vocalists are so beautiful!! <3 <3

[tate]

NO hate please, yes I'm white, 56 years old but love me some P Funk, this music is a part of my life you keep funkin till the end of time.... been with ya all my life....

[SWATS]

I didn't know the Motheship could fit in such a Tiny Space🤘🤘🤘 Oh well I guess The Funk is not Confined

[ajala]

Between this and Big Daddy Kane's performance, my life is complete!