Young Thug: 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.

Sidney Madden | July 27, 2021
Young Thug looks right at home in the lush, almost regal, gardens of The Houdini Estate in Los Angeles. The serenity of the chosen location might seem too delicate for the punk-rock raps Thug and his crew reverberate through the grounds, but as hip-hop's impactful oddball, oxymoronic magic has always been his strong suit.

For the last decade, the world of rap has lived, learned and been liberated while under the influence of Young Thug. His contorted cadence, visionary fashion sense and freaky, frantic wordplay have inspired an entire generation of artists to no end. And now, the Atlanta iconoclast is evolving yet again. Not only is he wading through the waters of punk with his forthcoming album, Punk — Thug is using his Tiny Desk debut to usher in his next era, one that's meant to represent "authenticity, consciousness and overall purity." Premiering songs off his long-teased album (due out Oct. 15), the Grammy winner's rhymes slither along smoothly no matter how rough the music, taking fans on a journey of energy and emotion.

"I'm just seeking for God's soul 'cause I know something's missing," a peach-haired Thug admits on his opener, "Die Slow," before divulging specific hardships that shape his music. It's a small sample of the tests in life that inspire lines like, "You gotta go through this s*** with your heart / You can't snooze on it" and prompt him to celebrate even the smallest wins with VVS diamonds and exotic vacations. By the time the sun sets and the crew is joined by famed drummer Travis Barker for a fresh rendition of the chart-topping "Ski," the surge of triumphant excitement is almost too much for him to contain. But then again, why would he want to?

SET LIST
"Die Slow"
"Droppin Jewels"
"Hate The Game"
"Tick Tock"
"Ski"

MUSICIANS
Young Thug: vocals
Tim Stewart: guitar
Jonny Goood: bass
Tosh Peterson: drums
Travis Barker: drums

CREDITS
Video: Hidden Road Studios
Audio: Demetrius Moore and Angad "Bainz" Bains
Creative Director: Meggan Mckenzie
Director: Tom Kirk
Cinematography: John Barrett
Management & A&R: Geoffrey Ogunlesi
Production Manager: Paul Lovell Butt
Camera Operator: Erick Turcios
Tour Director: JP Firmin
Band Fixer: Adam Blackstone
Gaffer: Marc Patterson
1st AC: Melissa Martine
Key Grip: Christian Guerrero
Production Assistant: Duane Avery
Assistant Mix Engineer: Aresh Banaji
Assistant Engineering: Bernard Chavez

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

#youngthug #tinydesk #nprmusic

[nprmusic]

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[monster]

The audio engineers went crazy on this, this is masterfully balanced

[DasTheKid]

Finally thugger gonna get his flowers from those who have never listened to his unreleased tracks and how unique they are unlike his mainstream stuff, PUNK Already a classic on god.

[CarterKeither]

Its crazy how PERFECTLY Thugs voice matches the instrumentation

[Tomasomarketing]

Dropping jewels the most underrated song ever

[ethanappleseed]

*Time Stamps*
0:00 "Die Slow"
3:07 "Droppin Jewels"
6:52 "Hate The Game"
8:58 "Tick Tock"
10:54 "Ski"

[reversethursday]

Thugger is honestly one of the most underrated truly talented artist to pull off such a wide variety of sounds. Respect for anything Jeffrey puts his passion in to.

[Winterfreshmac]

Had to come back two years later once again, just to appreciate this work of art 👏🏾.

[kocakaflarr]

I can't see how anybody wouldn't recognize his genius …please give this man his flowers.

[MrWorld]

This is still my favorite tiny desk performance of all time.. way too good.

[michaelalexander]

Whoever does the sound for these tiny desk concerts is a GENIUS!! Always crystal clear sound.

[ganjaguru]

The cinematography, wardrobe and set coordination is literally next level. I felt like i was watching a concert filmed like a movie.... So insanely excited for this next era of Thugger and I'll be counting the days until P*NK! Long live the GOAT. SLATT!!

[dylanorlando]

Droppin jewels is one of the greatest rap songs we’ve ever been given.

[Pivert]

Everyone must feel like the biggest thugger fan right now, , tears in my eyes. CAN’T THANK THUGGER ENOUGH

[ZooYorkismybrand]

“I told my son he’s not a cheerleader, but he may have to catch a body” 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 I need this album

[whiteheavn]

His vocal sounds exactly like the studio version it's crazy, even in rollingloud yesterday he killing it

[dantepl]

Respect to the audio engineers of these. This sounds amazing.

[ILLAmusick]

He actually rapping, no back vocals ...Thugga impressive

[theodor]

It's the summer of 2024 and I'm still here vibin' to this masterpiece.

[theailifehacks]

Let’s go ahead and give this man his flowers while he’s still alive