August Greene (Common, Robert Glasper, Karriem Riggins): NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Feb. 21, 2018 | Abby O'Neill -- August Greene, the collaborative effort of Common, Robert Glasper and Karriem Riggins, was born at the White House in 2016 during a special Tiny Desk concert. It was during that unprecedented performance that the then-untitled ensemble premiered the powerful "Letter to the Free," an original song for Ava DuVernay's Netflix documentary 13th that eventually won an Emmy for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics.

For the trio's first visit to NPR headquarters, they brought some special guests: vocalists Brandy, Maimouna Youssef and Andra Day. The band performed four tracks from its upcoming self-titled album (out March 9 on Amazon Music), an impromptu freestyle, and Day's Oscar-nominated collaboration with Common, "Stand Up For Something," from the film Marshall. Common described the theme of the Tiny Desk as "Foregrounding Women," alluding to the attendance of Brandy, Day and Youssef, as well as the spiritual presence of Glasper's younger cousin, Loren, who passed just a few days prior.

The past year has been a pivotal time for women, between #MeToo and social and financial equality, and the lyrics to these songs frame women's contemporary frustrations as civil rights issues. That's important in hip-hop, which has long been dogged by an old-line adherence to misogyny, as it lays claim to the world's most popular genre.

In a spontaneous moment midway through Maimouna Youssef's verse on "Practice," the crowd gushed and you could see the joy in her eyes. Then the ebullient pop icon Brandy reprised Sounds Of Blackness' 1991 classic "Optimistic," and the magic held everyone rapt. Andra Day followed up with "Stand Up for Something"; her powerful voice blew the hinges off the doors.

August Greene's latest single, "Black Kennedy," connotes dreams of an African-American dynasty, the kind only a royal family assumes. The stark contrasts of disenfranchisement are highlighted by every wish expressed. Later, in "Let Go," vocalist and August Greene collaborator Samora Pinderhughes sings of overcoming darkness within yourself and finding hope at the bottom of Pandora's box. It's about releasing the demons so the hands can hold the blessings.

August Greene is what happens when talent embraces intention and humility. This edition of the Tiny Desk inspired me, its audience, and the artists behind the stage. We hope it has the same effect on you.

SET LIST
• "Black Kennedy" (feat. Samora Pinderhughes)

• "Practice" (feat. Maimouna Youssef)

• "Optimistic" (feat. Brandy)

• "Stand Up For Something" (feat. Andra Day)

• "Let Go" (feat. Samora Pinderhughes)

MUSICIANS
Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Robert Glasper, Karriem Riggins, Burniss Travis, Samora Pinderhughes, DJ Dummy, Brandy Norwood, Andra Day, Maimouna Youssef

CREDITS
Producers: Abby O'Neill, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Maia Stern, Kara Frame, CJ Riculan; Production Assistant: Joshua Bote; Photo: Eslah Attar/NPR.

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[RobWill]

Big shoutout to whoever gave birth to this Tiny Desk Concert idea. So much dope music. Love it!

[AVG]

Robert Glasper ls one of the greatest keyboardist/pianists of all time! That is all

[danproposkanovovski]

I can't get over how Common is such a sweetheart throughout this session. Putting other people front and center and celebrating them while doing a great job himself. This is just 100% good vibes despite the subject matters.

[kylikjspop]

BRANDY is and always has been insanely underrated. She embodies all of the magic, color, technic and vocal style without any of the hype. She IS amazing. Don't sleep.

[MrDON]

Commons timing, breath control and delivery is scary. And that's before you even get to the wordplay 😩🙌🏾

[luvleta]

I've played Mumu Fresh piece like 100 times. There's no words to express how hard she came on that song. She OWNED every bit of that set.
Period!!
Respect. Salute. Love!!

[claryharley]

Common sense, vocabulary no cussing just straight expressing thoughts, Intelligent Hip Hop, The assemble of these artist's is just very enlightening. It's a BEAUTIFUL RIDE BROTHERS and SISTERS. Peace and Love

[dpidesign]

The way Common bust out with the freestyle. Amazing. You don't get no better than that now a days with rap. He still love "H.E.R."

[lebakamvelase]

The way Common has advanced in mastering his unique style of rhyming.

[ucre]

"Sometimes bein' a woman is like being black My soul is SHOOK!

[EaglesOnPogoSticks]

I can't stop watching Common's reaction to Maimouna Youssef - she absolutely killed it.🔥

[CosmicJournee]

The fact that Brandy still doesn’t have her own tiny desk is crazy!! I come back here for her so much! Love her version of Optimistic! 😍✨

[gizatsby]

"Black Kennedy" 2:24
"Practice" 8:39
"Optimistic" 16:36
"Stand Up for Something" 25:53
"Let Go" 30:56

[D_Norland]

Common low key dropped the smoothest freestyle of all time

[garybush]

Common is amazing! Flow, freestyle off the dome! the band dope!
Brandy is absolutely gorgeous ❤❤❤
Mumu Fresh dope af!!
Andra Day dope af too!!!
This tiny desk was perfect

[irenedorsey]

My whole face stayed scrunched the 5x I watched Mumu Fresh. Giving me life. 🔥

[elnuffio]

Brandy's genuine delight when Common starts freestyling is just a joy to watch. This set is such a blessing.

[internetathi]

This NPR introduced me to the work of Maimouna Youssef, Samora Pinderhughes and a whole range of other powerful artists related to their music. Man, this was so necessary for the culture.

[ChillBuddies]

I don`t know how often I have watched this in the last 3 years..🙏❤

[trailjunkie]

Common is one of the dopest emcees of all time! His lyrics are always so powerful & educational, and his freestyle is forever on point! 👏👏👏