Babyface: Tiny Desk Concert

NPR Music
NPR Music
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Published 2023-06-09
NPR Music is celebrating Black Music Month with an array of brand new Tiny Desk concerts. Together, these artists represent the past, present and future of Black music. This month of carefully curated shows is a celebration of Black artists expressing themselves in ways we've never seen before, and of the Tiny Desk's unique way of showcasing that talent.

Nikki Birch | June 9, 2023
I was working late when Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds first arrived at the office to rehearse for his Tiny Desk concert. Within moments, it was clear it would be an exceptional performance. The next day, my colleagues waited patiently to see the legendary singer, songwriter and producer. Because when it comes to matters of the heart, Babyface has turned our angst, our triumphs, our devastation, into timeless love songs that have scored the romances of more than one generation.

Joined by top-tier talent — Tank, Chanté Moore and Avery Wilson — Babyface came out swinging. From the songs that put him on the map, to those he wrote or produced for other icons, around the room hit after hit was met with swoons, sighs and not a few tears. (Ok, maybe that was just me.)

Babyface is a titan of the music industry: with numerous top 10 hits, 12 Grammys (50 nominations) and a jaw-dropping roster of collaborations. In 2022, he assembled a stellar ensemble of women for one of my favorite albums of the year, Girls Night Out. To watch this master of pen and sound behind the Tiny Desk was truly epic and nothing short of a dream come true.

SET LIST
"Two Occasions"
"Whip Appeal"
"Superwoman"
"Take A Bow"
"Not Gon' Cry"
"Can We Talk"
"Change the World"
"Thnks fr th Mmrs"
"I'll Make Love To You"
"End Of The Road"
"Exhale (Shoop Shoop)"

MUSICIANS
Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds: vocals, keys, guitar
Erskine Hawkins III: keys, music director
Antoine Porter: guitar
Walt Barnes Jr.: bass
Reggie Regg: drums
Tank: vocals
Chanté Moore: vocals
Avery Wilson: vocals

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Bobby Carter
Director/Editor: Joshua Bryant
Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Creative Director: Bob Boilen
Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Kara Frame, Maia Stern, Sofia Seidel
Audio Assistant: Hannah Gluvna
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Hazel Cills
Photographer: Catie Dull
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

#tinydesk #nprmusic #babyface
All Comments (21)
  • @nprmusic
    WIN A TRIP TO SEE A TINY DESK CONCERT! Enter here for your chance to win by supporting the content you love: bit.ly/tiny-desk-giveaway (enter before 3/28/24 at 11:59pm PT!) No purchase or donation required for entry. Void where otherwise restricted or prohibited by law. Must be 18 years or older and a resident of the 50 us states, D.C. or Canada (excluding Quebec) to enter. Entry deadline is March 28, 2024 at 11:59:59pm pt. Odds depend on the number of entries received. ARV of total prize: $2,300. Max. 10,000 entries per person. Official rules, including an alternative free method of entry, can be found at propeller.la/support/1936/official-rules.
  • @dubfilm
    I’m convinced we need a album called “Babyface and His Super Friends”! This is literally like listening to the R N’ B Avengers or Justice League 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
  • @missjodixxo
    Avery, Chanté ,Tank & Babyface all in the same room!! Wow 😩💕🔥🔥
  • @geraldogallagher4503
    I want Chanté Moore to have her own Tiny Desk, aswell as Toni Braxton 😭🙌👌💯🔥
  • @mixxedjustright
    Can Chante Moore PLEASE have her own Tiny Desk??? Her vocal range and control is INSANE!!!!
  • @washboy
    Dude... I can't believe I get to enjoy this for free.
  • @OptimisticKTV
    Babyface went and got the AVENGERS of BACKGROUND SINGERS. MAN I LOVE THIS SO MUCH. The BEST concert I've ever been to is a BABYFACE CONCERT. He wrote EVERYTHING. Can we normalize having living legends singing behind living legends every now and then. This is such a dope moment.
  • @NayRich
    Chante Moore’s whistle note is undefeated
  • @gr33ngobl1n94
    The Bass players Stank face was hilarious! 😂That's the universal musicians gesture when they are feeling it! 😂
  • @jaijai1132
    Now we need a TEVIN CAMPBELL tiny desk please.
  • @jasminetheconqueror5136
    Watching Babyface sing background for his own songs while letting his background singers shine was everything. This was such a joy to watch overall.
  • @RaphaelAshanti
    Chante Moore is definitely more than the average singer. She's phenomenal!
  • @jambatvee3803
    You know you’re the king if Chante Moore and Tank are your back up singers
  • @user-sx4ec1ur4g
    Babyface is a beast and a legend. He is so talented that it makes no sense
  • @MrErnestangelo
    Babyface almost single handed wrote the soundtrack of the 90’s and early 2000’s. A legend that keeps reinventing R&B. Stellar supporting cast. Chanté is amazing
  • @frowhatitsworth
    The biggest flex is having three artists who could lead their own Tiny Desk concert sing your BGV’s. Loved this.