NPR’s Tiny Desk series has firmly established itself as a staple in the music world. This cozy 7x11 cubicle has showcased intimate live performances from a diverse range of artists, including Trina, Usher, Erykah Badu, Willow Smith, and Justin Timberlake.
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The concert series runs year-round, but there’s s special lineup for June, which marks Black Music Month. This celebration honors the Black musicians who have influenced today's industry significantly. Last year’s Black Music Month featured performances from artists like Juvenile, Tank, Babyface, and Charlie Wilson. Led by Tiny Desk’s Series producer and host, Bobby Carter, this year promises an even grander lineup, focusing on “giving female musicians their flowers.”
“As the first week started to roll out last year with Charlie Wilson and Babyface, it occurred to me that we were leading with all men...So this time last year, I knew that we wanted to bring an all female led lineup this year,” Carter tells ESSENCE. “So this sort of occurred to me this time last year like wow, it’s too many dudes and I want to really go for it this year, and really honor the women that helped shape Black music to me, which is all music. I knew this was going to be something that we would do last year.”
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The anticipation is stacked high for Black Music Month and the lineup NPR has curated. This year’s performances promise a mix of nostalgia and innovation, showcasing artists from various genres and generations, highlighting the rich diversity of Black music.
The lineup, revealed exclusively to ESSENCE, includes a diversified collection of genre-bending female artists: Tems, Chaka Khan, Tierra Whack, Kierra Sheard, Lakecia Benjamin, Me’Shell Ndegeoccello, Brittney Spencer, SWV, and Flo Mili. Each artist brings a unique sound and story, showcasing the many layers of Black music.
“When we do packages like this, the goal is to cover as much ground as possible to represent as many walks of life and as many generations and genres as possible within that month’s frame. So what you see in this lineup is just the best attempt possible at really casting a wide net, so if you are into a country, if you are into hip-hop if you are into new R&B, if you’re into old R&B, we’re trying to do as much as we can and represent as much as we can within the month,” Carter continues.
The North Star at Tiny Desk for Black Music Month was to represent the past, present and future of the genres we love, but also to take a deeper look at some of the women acts who haven’t received their flowers just yet. Carter believes with the space Tiny Desk is in now, we can praise Chaka Khan and SWV, but also showcase up and coming artists like Flo Milli and Tierra Whack.
The brand also recently celebrated two million followers on Instagram and three billion views on Youtube, which is a testament to keeping their finger on the pulse of the culture.
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Carter attributes the successful curation of the lineup to the team of Black women he works with that helped to mold this year's celebration. This all-female lineup for Black Music Month at Tiny Desk is not just a series of concerts; it is a powerful statement. It pays tribute to the enduring legacy of Black female musicians, who have frequently been overlooked, by celebrating their contributions and securing their rightful position in music history.
“I hope people realize just how much Black women have contributed and have continued to contribute to music at large, they don’t get enough credit. Like I said Chaka Khan will never get enough credit SWV will never get enough credit,” Carter explains. “So it’s a reminder like we do every year.
Each concert will culminate with the featured musician receiving a bouquet of their favorite flowers, a symbolic gesture honoring their impact and legacy in music.
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