Jhené Aiko: 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.

Oct. 1, 2020 | Bobby Carter -- In this Tiny Desk (home) concert, R&B star Jhené Aiko coasts through an eight-song medley that plays like the ultimate nod to her legions of fans — fans who've been begging for a Tiny Desk for a long time.

The Los Angeles native's star status is a result of her music's versatility and vulnerability. Jhené Aiko Efuru Chilombo has carved out a space of her own over the past decade, despite a rapidly changing R&B landscape. As a songwriter, she leaves no stone unturned, explicitly expressing her struggle, joy and sexuality while always administering the vibe.

Her latest album, Chilombo, released just before the pandemic hit the U.S., doubled down and leaned into the therapeutic nature of her songs — and that same aesthetic fuels her Tiny Desk. Backed by an ensemble of masked players, Aiko bookends her set with a sound bath of singing bowls that's peace personified through sound.

SET LIST
"Lotus (Intro)"
"Stranger"
"Do Better Blues"
"To Love & Die"
"Born Tired"
"W.A.Y.S."
"Summer 2020"
"Eternal Sunshine"

MUSICIANS
Jhené Aiko: vocals
Julian Le: keys
Bubby: bass
Gracie Sprout: harp
Brain Warfield: percussion

CREDITS
Video By: Brandon Parker
Audio By: Gregg Rominiecki
Producer: Bobby Carter
Audio Mastering Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Video Producer: Morgan Noelle Smith
Executive Producer: Lauren Onkey
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

[nprmusic]

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[dii-N-sd]

I work at a cancer center, and we treat a little girl that loves Jhene. She asked us to play Jhene's music everyday while she lays on the table to gets her radiation treatments. Jhene's voice is so sweet and calming.

[AsToldByKeisha]

Just to think that Jhené could’ve done any of her hype songs from all her albums, but she chose to perform songs that uplift, encourage and heal during such a hard time due to this pandemic. That shows how much she loves us, and solidifies her as more than an artist, but a light 🤍🥺✨

[shldntbhere]

This is NOT a concert. It is sound therapy. Thank you Jhene

[krispyxtine]

Wow, she has great control of her voice. She sings it like an instrument 😱

[happywings]

This lowkey therapy. Putting this on when you’re irritated is actually a thing.

[NSMissy]

Her tone is pure as gold. She's a human hummingbird.

[adelecastillo-ayala]

0:00 intro
0:24 lotus
1:47 strangers
3:32 do better blues
5:31 to love & die
7:19 born tired
8:43 down again
9:27 ways
11:29 summer 2020
13:13 everything must go
14:11 vocals+eternal sunshine
15:07 eternal sunshine

[Honestw]

Her voice has gotten stronger... like she really mastered her sound 👏🏾

[cjjamal]

I don’t think anyone in my life understands how much this woman means to me. Her music has gotten me through alot.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR ✨

[dailiaaa]

She is definitely doing what she was put on this earth to do.

[XmotherbrainX]

Lotus: 00:04
Stranger: 1:46
Do Better Blues: 3:32
To Love & Die: 5:31
LOVE mashup: 6:41
Born Tired: 7:18
Down Again mashup: 8:40
W.A.Y.S.: 9:27
Summer 2020: 11:28
Everything Must Go: 13:12
Jhené plays crystal singing bowls 14:08 -15:02
Eternal Sunshine: 15:11

[wavyblkqueen]

And I never want to hear another person say she can’t sing again. No background singers .... on her OWN. This is music ✨

[haleighbug]

It's the fact that her live voice is UNIFORM with her studio sound for me. What a talented woman.

[cocotsai]

As much as her dress is absolutely stunning and expensive looking, the fact that she was barefoot under that made her whole look so much more authentic and grounded and it resonated so well with her music

[zhnmmhj]

she's like a beautiful mermaid who tells you a story of her life in front of a calm ocean

[makala.]

she's like a siren, but instead of leading you to your death she leads you to healing.

[goldenari]

Her music is a true expression of a souls evolution…higher wisdom. her sound went from true pain/ anger….to emotional freedom & healing. that’s beautiful & that’s what art is all about.

[rnbass]

Jhene Aiko may have just give us the best Tiny Desk concert ever

[khanimoon]

She’s so aligned with her purpose it’s crazy