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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