After a 16 yr hiatus and with no go-to band in place, Clipse’s Tiny Desk took numerous time to piece collectively. Tiny Desk members didn’t know precisely what they have been in search of when it comes to sonics, nevertheless it clicked after they have been advised what they didn’t need: no jazzy renditions of their music. They meant no disrespect to jazz in any respect, and in the event you observe the duo’s music, it boils all the way down to exhausting drums and even tougher synths. Hybrid drummer Daru Jones, who performed on final yr’s Tiny Desk for the LOX, was the primary alternative due to his distinctive capacity to combine conventional and digital drum sounds. He supplied the authenticity wanted for this set, and all the things else fell into place.
The thrill for the Thornton brothers’ return reached its apex immediately as somebody within the crowd yelled “Oh my god!” on the opening notice of “Virginia.” There was no lull because the band coasted by way of “Keys Open Doorways” and “Momma I’m So Sorry,” from Clipse’s most celebrated album, Hell Hath No Fury. I discovered a lot to research witnessing the dichotomy between Pusha T and Malice up shut. Malice is extra collected in his actions, intensely scouring the room together with his eyes whereas his brother is way more animated, even letting out a sinister snicker mid-set.
Recorded weeks in the past, the 2 carried out songs from their new album Let God Type Em Out for the primary time, together with a chilling dedication to their deceased mother and father, “Birds Don’t Sing.” Earlier than the tears from the group might dry, everybody acquired the second they’d been ready for in “Grindin’.”
The primary half of the yr in hip-hop hasn’t been essentially the most thrilling, so the timing of this reunion couldn’t be higher. Right here’s Clipse delivering its finest reside efficiency ever recorded and one of many hardest Tiny Desks of all time.
SET LIST
“Virginia”
“Keys Open Doorways”
“Momma I’m So Sorry”
“Chains & Whips”
“Birds Don’t Sing”
“Grindin’”
MUSICIANS
Pusha T: vocals
Malice: vocals
Briley Harris: keys
Darryl Woodson: keys
Yoo Q!: DJ, background vocals
Daru Jones: drums
Brittney Mills: background vocals
Tariq Ali: background vocals