The Roots feat. Bilal: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert
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- Опубликовано: 25 ноя 2024
- Watch The Roots feat. Bilal play at the Tiny Desk.
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Oct. 30, 2017 | Abby O'Neill -- Can you believe it? Yes, those are The Roots packed behind the Tiny Desk. Black Thought, Questlove and the crew carved out a few hours in their hectic Tonight Show schedule to visit NPR headquarters in Washington D.C. Why travel four hours for a 12-minute concert when you own the late-night airwaves? The answer can be found in the lyrics to The Roots' new song, "It Ain't Fair."
Armed with the incredible vocalist Bilal, The Roots performed the signature track from Detroit, a film about the race riots in 1967. "It Ain't Fair" glares unflinchingly, takes a knee and raises a fist against the societal construct that has systematically denied equality of experience to those "presumed inferior," to quote one of Bilal's verses. And it achieves all this while covering its heart with its right hand. This reflective hymn tenderly yanks your heart strings and offers a window into the ethos of those who would like to stand for the flag but cannot in good principle, lest these same evils continue to exist.
Those lucky enough to be in the Tiny Desk audience witnessed masters at work. Black Thought is truly one of the most intelligent emcees ever, and his razor-sharp lyricism was on full display. Questlove, a musical and cultural historian nonpareil, was both a metronomical and moral anchor. It felt like the culmination of decades of academic rigor and boom-bap sessions, fittingly backed by a seven-piece horn section. Bilal's falsetto-laced vocals and warm resonance evoked powerful messaging reminiscent of Curtis Mayfield's "Don't Worry," delivered with the eccentricity of Prince.
Late last year, Common premiered "Letter to the Free" at the Tiny Desk and later won an Emmy for the song. It wouldn't surprise me if "It Ain't Fair" becomes another award-winning performance when the Oscars roll around early next year. This is a song that deserves to be heard in the millions of households that watch The Roots every night.
Set List
"It Ain't Fair"
MUSICIANS
Curtis L. Jones Jr (Trombone), Arnetta Johnson (Trumpet), Hiruy E. Tirfe (Sax), Richard L. Tate II (Sax), Joseph Streater (Trumpet), Norman J. Bradshaw (Trombone), Damon Bryson (Sousaphone), Ahmir (Questlove) Thompson (Drums), Tarik (Black Thought) Trotter (Emcee), Bilal Oliver (Vocals)
CREDITS
Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Producers: Abby O'Neill, Morgan Noelle Smith; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Maia Stern, Kara Frame, Alyse Young; Photo: Claire Harbage/NPR
For more Tiny Desk concerts, subscribe to our podcast.
Hey Tiny Desk Fans,
Check out NPR’s Black Stories, Black Truths - a collection of podcasts hosted by journalists who speak truth to power. Our voices are as varied, nuanced, and dynamic as the Black experience. And stories should never be about us without us. Listen now: www.npr.org/podcasts/510372/black-stories-black-truths
Aint no colour
Love u all
❤
U dont like those kind.of
But Still am i
d😮freeerrd
Many amens and glorifying brass and singing and all worthy of praise! Amen
My man with the Tuba hasn't stopped blowing since he walked into the room
He could probably survive underwater for hours with that breath control
solo de mirarlo me quedé sin oxigeno.
sousaphone...
and thats what she said
JACKSON MCNALLY lmao 😂
@JACKSON MCNALLY Lol who cares? A sousaphone is basically a tuba that wraps around you
This performance of "It Ain't Fair" deserves a Grammy.
Well said. So we'll said.
We don't need their affirmation
@@susiq1121 but hopefully it will reach more people that way
Facts 💯
It does tho
Here I am in 2024... And I keep coming back on this master piece !
glad to see you here!
Me too ! All ways give me the goose pup…
Same!
Best entrance ever. Amazing performance start to finish.
Jep❤
As a former HBCU marching band tuba player. This dude is a certified Beast!
I was just thinking how outstanding he is - really pulling the whole show together.
Herculean effort.
dude i was thinking the same thing, i dont play tuba but i play electric bass. Groovin
Iron Lungs
AMEN!
Bilal didn't need to go that hard...
He did that for us.
He did that for us...
He sho did
Ain't lying!
Sho you rite
Bilal always go hard. He makes my soul happy!
@@MissSuperHottie facts
My man on the Tuba is absolutely killing these funky basslines
💯
The ENDURANCE.
oh yeah he is so smooth and consistent - amazing skill
yes sir !
I believe its a sousaphone but you're damn right either way. Who even needs a bassist haha
11:24 : that moment when Questlove readjusts his afro pick without missing a beat. Legendary
It’s like Michael Jackson spin move without getting caught in the microphone cord
“It ain’t fair when your protector is your Predator”
Bilal made sure we all felt that. He is incredible
This dude is beyond any charisma i´ve seen from a singer since maybe the likes of d´angelo in in the same age and really maybe curtis mayfield in the older times. His catalogue indeed is not well lit upon, reminisce is a masterpiece but i think this man chose a low-lit career also shining with robert glasper, where i discovered him as a nobody basically. The realness is high and maybe the realest aren´t meant for big fame. I pray he gets his tiny desk !
AMEN!
@@UltimateCheetointerscope did the dirty on him. He was mishandled badly.
Bilal needs his own tiny desk concert. His catalogue is worthy of praise
and when he does i'm downloading it to my phone, laptop, everything!!
I have ZERO ideas why he doesn't have one yet. It's one of the most anticipated tiny desk concerts.
Come on somebody,tell it his voice is a national treasure
Sho you rite
Indeed
The tuba is a hero
Can the trombone get some.............
It's a sousaphone, not a tuba.
legshakermaker1968 A sousaphone is a tuba so it’s ok to call it a tuba
@@viniciusbernhardtkroth971 actually a tuba is a tuba and a sousaphone is a sousaphone.
Dude set the foundation with his cheeks
"Looking for justice, but it's just us." Dayum...that's too real.
The Audio engineer did a fucking marvelous job too! Wow!!! Overall, this piece should be preserved in a museum.
I wondered how they get this relativly good sund out of it. the room is actualy much bigger than it seams. One can see more of it in the blue people video
And all this is for free... I mean tiny desk wow
Hell to the yeah
Indeed. Sound never peaked or bled. Bravo to the sound engineer.
I wonder if the musicians have any monitors, looks like they don't!
ADVISORY: This video contains explicit good quality music.
Saxual content
"Because wolves disguised as sheep patrol our streets."
Listening in May 2020, the truth in this just hurts.
Thanks for warning me I’ll skip this video
@@kylejscheffler that pun.. your power level must be pretty high
😂😂
Leave it to The Roots to come play the Tiny Desk and only perform one song.
Legendary.
i like both the new stuff and old but ya.. lol one new song. only pls.
Clearly wasn't only one song..
How would you even follow that song up?
Brilliant 12 minute opus...
Klay Niltasuwan I hear one song with instrumental intros and outros.
Black Thought is one of the best MCs we can witness to hear on this planet. Thanks NPR.
I feel like we're making a mistake by not recognizing Bilal as the generational talent that he is. Voices like his are few and far between.
Absolute Truth....
although I haven't found music as good as this on his channel.
@@BarathMiklos You might want to check out "Love for Sale", usually considered to be Bilal's best album
A pure gem!!!
If you don't recognize, then you are making that exact mistake and if, indeed you are then, SHAME ON YOU!✌🏾
I think i just witnessed one of the greatest performances of all time..
You ain't lying!
No.. that's baby's got back😀
Me too
A true generational imprint.
Facts! OMG!
Black Thought! One of the greatest lyricist ever!
Quote me on that.
And the most underrated
Undisputed fact!
Yes....truly
And MC too
💯
Man. Phew. Wow. Almost 5 years and this still slaps. This'll forever be one of the greatest performances in all of music history.
I need this tuba line to play whenever I enter a room.
eat more beans (works for me)
Lol!
Hilarious
Ha!
Ha Haaa True True
That tuba sound is so clean holy hell, almost sounds like an actual bass
Not a tuba. Sousaphone.
I know - just a little addendum
@@MonoIce350s 👈
For a minute Bilal had me thinking I was a black American. Then I remembered I'm an Australian with middle eastern parents 🤣🤣. But I felt that. Much love.
Lol
Ayyyeee!!! That's alright!
😂😂😂
🤣
People swear they woke but they sleep...I pray the Lord they soul n to keep!!!
😳Bilal had 400 years worth of pain in that voice
I’m black so I felt okay laughing at this because I’m laughing through the pain
Bilal has always gone in.....
It’s called the “growl” voice. They claim it’s not good for the throat but Bilal does it so effortlessly.
i feel like he was holding back too. absolute king.
Most Black people do.
The Roots accomplished more in 12 minutes then most musicians have accomplished in their lifetime.
😂 true that
Life is beautiful
if you had told me 8 years ago.. that tiny desk was going to be the place for emerging black culture and classic rap.... id has jaw dropped. by.. lol lil tiny desk has totally become that.
Miss O.P. Thank Gawd!
Miss O.P. Yeah! The widespread respect held by NPR for different music cultures is really what makes I️t top tier for me
Top. Tier!
Npr variety!
I'm french and just discover tiny desk.. Not really aware.. So, I'm curious to know.. What was tiny desk before ?
Bilal and the Roots are channeling the ancestors. Tears raining down, aint fair!
I hear you sister
Black thought is channelling them too.
I'd never heard of Bilal until I saw this video.
@@kountzer check out 'bilal-soul sista' which was his first single years ago..early 2000s....'bilal-fast lane ft jadakiss' is another big song of his
@@kountzer I'm so glad you're here!
More kids would wanna play the brass if they heard more music like this in their teen years
Amen
Fuck
Dave Matthews grace is gone
Word, that's exactly what I was thinking watching them. But hey, it's never too late too learn!
@Carlton Beckford-Dozier I played trombone, tuba, and bugle growing up. Got a lot of love for a tight brass section
Tariq is the most slept on lyricist. I dont know why. Dude rhymes are sick. Blial just slayed the mic for sure. The whole set was on fire!!!
Agreed, however the woke people have resounding appreciation for life. He steals the show IMO
Yes!
Wouldn't say slept on, many recognize Thought as one of the illest rhyme spitters of all time.
He is one of the illest 4 sure!
He's on my top 3 for sure
Bilal is so underrated...love him since Soul Sister
Sure is wow
Facts!!
What a appropriate song for these troubling time
I been seeking this song out for healing purposes, been helping alot , very needed in times like this
Keiona McElhoe This is why our ancestors created the music. Healing, celebration, love, frustration, hate, regret, shame, hope, faith-our shared experience has and always be expressed in our music. It’s entertainment for some. It’s cathartic for us.
@@bobbyspencer7089 absolutely! Man I haven't got a good RUclips comment that made me feel heard in years it feels like, thank you. Here I got one for you that's been keeping me afloat as well , I share it with hopes it'll give your soul the love we need ♥️ Mos def Umi Says
Keiona McElhoe you guys making the youtube comment section a more bearable place, thanks
Word.
Bilal has been underrated for so damn long. Him and Musiq Soulchild are everything!
Chim Cham bilal was Musiq’s voice coach
That's amazing to hear @@heyjoejp
Bilal's voice make this feels like an 60s/ 70s music…
Crazy part is that it sounds better than the original to me.
Top 5 Tiny Desk performance.
Never heard the original but this slaps hard I'm done
It’s the best performance
I will roll with top 5.
Tiny Desk tends to do that with artists. I still hope some of these recordings end up on Spotify or Apple music.
Black thoughts is the most consistently conscious lyricist. i salute
Right up there with KRS-ONE
And Kendrick
@@MKDOTTERY14 above all
Man, I literally cried listening to "It Ain't Fair". It's like it was written for this present day. How many times is this going to repeat? How long do we have to live like this? Fear, anger, hatred, excuses, lies, cover-ups, fake sympathy, loss lives, no justice, no peace. Why? God have mercy and help us all.......
The present and the past are synomous
This was written to reflect the entirety of US history. Not just today.
I cried, screamed from the hurt 😢!!!! I looked in the mirror and saw all that cane before who were never afforded the opportunity to really live and be treated fair and with justice. It hurts!!!!! 😭😭😭
They brought in the all the happiness and joy with their intro and then - BAM! Hit me with a left hook. I was a mess also… tears of deep rooted sadness and dismay 😭😭😭
It's up to all of us to change society for the better of the many and not the few ✊
Amen!
How have I missed out on Bilal for my entire life?!? So much soul in his voice, 100% beautiful.
that's very sad to hear, danny; however, the good news is: it's better late than never... glad you discovered magnifique bilal
You need to start with his first album and go from there.
Felt that a couple years didn't know about him till I was listening to 88keys album
@@BabyGurlnJP Facts
Start from the beginning, check out his debut album and go from there.
I’ve come to the conclusion that this is the greatest tiny desk concert ever. Not only is the song itself deeply meaningful and important for the times were in currently but the performances from each member of the group seems so soulful. You can really see each member put their entire self into this performance. From quest to bilal to black thought and the entire brass section I mean it was really amazing to witness. Truly amazing
I agree.
I've been coming back to this set every week for a couple years now, there's something well and truly special about it.
Love is here !
I was rocking wit Mac Miller's "Tiny" being the TALLEST until Bilal graced this stage!
@@mamasnoopy4692 Me to
Thank god there are still artists out there who care about the art form and the message more than the money.
Trust me
Amen
The Roots are getting plenty money, overseas, where they actually like real music, or were before the tonight show gig. I'm from Philly, my brother who used to DJ saw Black Thought in a maroon Escalade in 1999 at 16th and Chestnut and Thought actually recorded a sound bite for him like "this is Black Thougt chilling with dj K-dub, we out here in Philly, love and peace" I think my brother ejaculated upon himself that very moment lmao. But they're real
@@paulwan215 I don't know what you're talking about lol
Paul Wanamaker they getting plenty money here too they play every where and let’s not forget they are on the Jimmy Fallon show as the house band
'The Devil is feeding off hate, so he gaining weight' what a great line from my man Black Thought.
Execellent lyricist...good catch
Black Thought is the GOAT.
Can you have a better than that.
I literally have buckets of tears streaming down my face. POWER and STRENGTH to the people just simply lookin' for love amidst the hate.
Me too Bro💪🏾✊🏾🤝🏾
100% performances like this have always brought me to tears EASY. At 44 years of age I have only recently accepted that it isn’t a weakness that I should hide but a part of me that I should have been embracing my whole life. Its a clear sign that I really haven’t found my true self BUT IM ON MY WAY 🙏🏽
@@Tacconi757 light speed!
@@oraclesma4575 appreciate you 🙏🏻
Bilal is one of the most slept on vocalists Ever!!!
iluvmyboba Ever!
He really sounds like that live.
+iluvmyboba Right On!
"WHAT IS LOVE" is one of my favorites. This dude!😵
The crowd of predominant Caucasians will miss this in the MUSick.....when the majority has no voice we rely on those who look like us to rise for us...and tis was done in this TRACK....Completely!!!
It kills me how Bilal act like he didn't just tear the MF house down! 💪🏾 Goosebumps
Straight beast bro!
That performance was the embodiment of Rakims "i aint no joke" .
Like literally, no one could come after him when he finished that song that day. It wouldnt be fair, fr fr. ✊🏿
...Ok except maybe Prince, so in that case let me correct myself. No one LIVING could come after him when he finished...!
Not one drop of sweat
Keeping your cool is the black man’s burden
Humble on 1000
Bilal ain't lost it!!! 🤦🏾♂️ His voice give a brother chills
Hassan Washington he sounds like David Ruffin
@@darylsjr My exact thought bro. Damnnnn!
@@p3046-f6g He sound's like Bilal! Most Underrated! I admit every time I hear this song he makes me tear up!
It sure does
No one can touch Bilal.
Omg Bilal's voice is miraculous!
I've just realized how much of Bilal I hear in Anderson Paak's voice.
and I've just realized how much of Prince I hear in Bilal's voice.
I don't think it's intentional. Lol. I love Bilal. He's BAD ass but I swear Anderson is just completely separate and equally fire.
Seth Ewing literally the same exact thing I was thinking
yes lawd!!
We gotta send this video to all these new "Lit" and pop artists. Party music is fun and all but...no offense, this is REAL MUSIC. TAKE NOTES kids and make some music that means something too or our kids kids won't have ANY new Classics. They will still be listening to our favorite artists in the future like the Roots and Blial. I doubt the migos, future, and this pop junk on the radio now will stand the test of time. I'm just saying.
I cannot leave this earth without having seen The Roots live. I refuse!
It's a spiritual experience. I've seen them several times over the years. They just keep getting better and better
As'hambeni S'ye Phesheya Mndeni
They give you so much show.. I felt like we left with additional $20 in pockets.... They are awesome
Their LIVE performance will make you TRASHCAN ALL your recorded music you have of The Roots, THEY'RE THAT GOOD!
😉👍
You really have to, by far hands down the best to ever do it. The only ones who do whet they do actually. I’ve been blessed enough to see them 4 times throughout the years.
The moment you realise the tuba is one of the coolest instruments ever
True, buuuut, it's really all about the soul behind the instrument.
Quest AND Jeff Bradshaw AND Bilal AND Black Thought?? SOOOOOOOO much Black positive energy
They should get their own show and have Fallon on as their comedy guest.
doctoroctos or fallon could just fuck off altogether
A transfer to Conan is much needed, a crappy talkshow host like Fallon doesn't deserve a great band like this.
The problem is Fallon can't produce comedy
doctoroctos I absolutely love that idea
@@fvrs3411 Conan?!?!? He as never anything relevant to say AND is boring at the same time. At least Fallon is funny.
Bilal said,” AAAaaaaaaaaaaghaaaaaaaaaaghaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAH!” I feel you bro. I feel you. ✊🏾❤️🖤💚
YEP!!!!!🎯🎯🎯
bars
He feels this in his soul…that’s pain
Lol yesss😂😂💙
YESSIR....
"Because wolves disguised as sheep patrol our streets."
Listening in May 2020, the truth in this just hurts.
Crying.
@@kahyangni6808 thank goodness that cop and his buddies are being prosecuted. Let's come together through music!
@@zackennedy He'll get to keep his pension.
Bill Orcutt Good, then the civil suit can be funded if he loses
What makes you think that every police officer is a corrupt wolf?
My boy Bilal went off.
NPR: "Ok guys, this is a quiet, cosy desk please keep the volume down."
Roots: *marches in with brass band*
András Szepesi Hahahaha!
Bwhahahahaha! RIGHT!
Haaa
András Szepesi that’s how you show up to show out.
Only the ROOTS 😂😂😂😂😂😂!!!!!!
Bilal is that diamond world needs to apreciate a lil more
As Dr. Dre once said: “Bills is the most talented person I’ve I’ve worked with”. That’s saying a whoooole lot coming from Dre.
Bilal is a genius.
Damn Bilal came straight from the 70 s with that voice woww
EXACTLY!
Qomk*
I can’t count how many times I have come back to watch this performance.
Bilal just made me throw this wig straight at my tv !! Boy you betta sing
I listen to this at least once a day. Looking for JUSTICE and its JUST US
Lol!
Been a while since I went to church, but Bilal just took me there.
Yes LAWD🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
That was a sermon
Bruh eat a snickers
This should be performed in churches and in protests. Instead we are getting many evangelical churches preaching a pro right authoritarian message. Especially Pentecostal churches. They are intentionally deceiving people.
Guy playing the tuba has lungs like a fucking submarine
qwertyismymom I know, right?! He’s even got cheeks like bellows to boot!
It's actually a Sousaphone! Basically a portable Tuba.
qwertyismymom олюз
Tuba Gooding jnr
Dizzy Gillespie cheeks
Very reminiscent of the powerful Curtis Mayfield and the Movement. How I miss this kind of passion in music. Bilal is awesome.
Tiny Desk concerts have THE BEST live mixing. And having that many instruments just proves it. The Roots are amazing.
Over two years later...HOW MANY O' Y'ALL KEEP COMING BACK?...10 Million Views...LET'S GIVE IT SOME MORE!!!
Like what you did there, jamo...
👍👍YEP!!!
i must have listenes to it 10 ,15 times back to back when i first foind it
I re-liked the same comment I liked on my previous visit.
So we just gone sleep on Bilal? Bruh murdered this song, then resurrected it!!!
Nope, loved Bilal since he came out early 2000's he is the man!!!
who's sleeping on bilal? you?
Larry Hatchett I snatched my wig off and wipe this face twice chile 💪🏽🔥
Bilal been the shit. The Roots song water was about him
Killed it!!
This gotta be the most powerful performance in npr history
Only 3 brothers that scream and it hits my soul. Jame Brown, Prince, Bilal.
And D'Angelo
Screamin eagle of soul charles bradley
Stevie??
Curtis Mayfield?
@@el90moro Mayfield's not a screamer. B, Prince and JB ( and D'angelo) are.
This is one of the rawest horn sections I've ever heard. Dude Is killing that Tuba... "it's all about the tuba shawty"
LISTEN to what they're saying...beneath the brilliant sounds, chemistry and performance. Perseverance in the midst of total social chaos. #HipHop
Wilkine Brutus Truth!!
Yes sir!!🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
Oh boy, can't wait for the next 30 comments of your ass being beat the hell up.
Hi, I'm white, but I know where I come from. Africaaaaaa. Can you feel it? We all come from the same evolutionary processes. You see, your flaccid concept of a final reality "one in which they will never be accepted" is nothing more than your attempt to absolve yourself of that deep seated guilt you feel for knowing your pseudo-intellectual commentary is fundamentally flawed and borne of white privilege. That you do not HAVE to care about your fellow HUMANS, those whom we share the same skeletons with, the same organs, the same minds. Your behavior is just another shade of hate and self-centeredness. You're not dumb enough to believe that shades of skin somehow define us differently, you're just too comfortable to give a shit about other people that don't look like you. Your ideas are just an extension of your own moral turpitude, borne of your sense of entitlement that has been instilled in you since day one. Borne of you never having to feel the treatment that minorities feel on a daily basis, in small and large doses. Borne of a lack of understanding and willful ignorance. Borne of not caring about your own. I know you don't WANT to hear this, but I'm white, and I DO hear it. I DO see it, even if I've been fortunate enough never to have personally experienced it. THAT is your greatest crime of all. You're smart enough to know better, to know that you have NO first-hand experience with what it means to be born into and to have to live and fight your way through it, that you demonstrate a lack of gratefulness for your white privilege, and because of that, that you shouldn't form a baseless opinion based on a worldview that doesn't include being a minority. You can do better, and your lazy arm-chair comments strike no resonant chord here, except to stir me to spell it out for you.
+spacecowboy2k. 👏
8:38 "I identify with Death, that don't mean it's not an uninvited guest" that hit hard
INDEED!
"It Aint Fair" is one of the best songs of all time in any genre. Essentially the way they did it live.
skylisszthecolossus ...it truly speaks volumes...and Bilal ingest his heart ❤️ out...
@@williamdavis2868 No lie, the song was already a visual song and he was like a brilliant actor in how he sings it.
Soooo dope..I send it to everyone in my contacts every time I see this
When you watch some of the things happening here, you realise these guys barely rehearsed this, if at all. Like at the beginning, Questlove is calling out "Bridge!" to tell the bandmembers to play that section. And then at around 4:08 Bilal looks to Questlove who shakes his head, and then at 4:19 Questlove nods to Bilal to lead him in. Then you can see Bilal is reading the lyrics from a sheet throughout.
This level of quality and these guys are basically winging it. Unreal.
I really don't see any sheet Bilal could be reading from. Most of the time he has his eyes closed when his head is down. Anyway, it is an amazing performance all around.
The way everyone's eyes were checking on Questloves signal! Amazing how intune they are to each other considering how they are all in their own zones jamming 😍
I think they would have still rehearsed it and They’ll know each section, they’re just going with the flow in terms of how many bars they playing from each section and looking to QL for direction. Questlove is a great leader!
He said for the movie he wanted to play the roles of not only musicians but musicians growing up around that time so he wanted them to play like amateurs who don’t really understand music it’s kinda weird but it’s supposed to fit the theme of the movie but he was interviewed about it you should watch it
Julian Bizarro where can i watch it
Rest in peace Ahmaud Arbery 🙏🏽🙏🏽✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾
My Gee on the Tuba is setting the pocket! I love how he's the center of the entire groove! Brass dont get enough love outchea! Bilal is always an epic part of anything he lends his voice to. Black Thought is the GREATEST lyricist of our generation. Don't @ me on that. 🤷🏾♂️
Bass line riff played by the tuba!!!
Isn't that a sousaphone?
Nostra Fn Damus apologies...bass line played by the sousaphone.
Yes, It is a Sousaphone. Awesome bass line too.
Peanutbutter jellyfish Exactly
Bad ass....Sousaphone is still a tuba :)
The roots and band brought the gasoline and Bilal set that shit on fire !!!
Man, Questlove really fixed his pick while playing the drums without skipping a beat. What a legend.
As Prince said ‘real music by real musicians’ . Always the best.
Hip Hop was born because we lost our instruments..and all we had left was records. The DJ's kept the music alive, gathering influences from everything they can get their hands on..Its been a long slow climb.. years ago, when you saw Rappers perform live with a band..it was still - off.. The ROOTS are 1 of the groups that have completed that work started all those decades ago and perfected what Hip Hop was really born to do.. now the Musicians, singers, the rappers, the DJ's are in that higher level of Snyc and it has been perfected and its real POWER and PURPOSE is here and its Glorious. Respect to the DJ's that kept the flame alive and brought us back to our ROOTS
Amen!
Can i get an amen?
ASE!
1850? Polarizing WTF!
Bilal is the closet thing to Prince we have on this planet. His range is incredible. And what else can be said about Black Thought? These dudes are using their gifts from God and bringing us REAL music. Love it!!!
I think you meant to say hard work, instead of god.
You're born with talent and then work hard to perfect it. God gave them the talent.
Prove it, or you're full of shit
omar soto actually, thousands of hours of practice gave them the talent.
Philly at it's finest
"It Aint Fair" brought me to tears, so much truth.
When Bilal is pointing around the room belting out, "no," and he almost points right at the camera, it makes me feel like I have the responsibility to pay attention and do something for others in this world. Tears all over my keyboard at work for sure.
It's been 3 years and I still can't get enough of 9:37. Goose bumps.
*screaming internally at my desk*...because real screams are frowned upon.
Danielle Cox 😂😂😂😂😂👌🏿
YES! ME TOO. This is powerful.
Mrs. Stewart did you hear black thought lyrics... like damn, he don't miss.
Aakil Sharif He definitely didn't miss with this one.
On point, on time, on topic!
Biläl hit something in my soul with those vocals!!! Made me want to run round the house!!!!!!!
Marcus Anderson You said something on that! This Session is so Dope
WOW BILAL TOOK IT TO ANOTHER LEVEL. KEEP DOING IT BRO.
Looks like Tariq didn't get the memo..he's like "ok dude you made your point"
@@coolb8545 ) but yes go go and so on and that turned out quite well
I’ve probably played this over 70 times. I want to say more but I don’t want to exaggerate. Pure Magic. Shine Strong 💪🏾 ☀️
Definitely “majik”
Me too!!!!
"When your protector is your predator, it ain't fair."
Resonated
Chilling
Hit me in my soul!
😪👏
@One Iam
IKR that's a dope lyric because it resonates with truth. And the crazy thing about it is that it could apply to more than just Cops. And that's the sad part.
i'm at work on my lunch break watching this and crying, this song reflects all my emotion of living in this country as a African american man. the lyrics, the music production, the horn section, the pain in Bilals voice, that its on tiny desk, all of it! Trust me, i aint no soft heart brother, it takes a lot to bring tears to my face, this song touched a nerve. and as a long time Roots fan, the Roots haven't had a song effect me like this in years. The timing of this song is just perfect, so marketing dont FUCK UP this song, play your part in history and let this become the soundtrack of this time in history. As a artist, I wish, and want to make music like this song.
also, you may want to release this version to itunes
salute to your words bro!!!
I feel the exact same way bro. Every time I’m feeling oppressed, I come to RUclips and play this video. I seen Bilal a few months ago and heard this song live for the first time. Blew my mind.
You are already making beautiful sounds with your heartfelt words, they sent a ripple of love to me, tears are healing, never be ashamed of any you cry, cause if the heart keeps loving then the soul can't die....X
Check out Undun if you want a touching, later Roots concept record.
"...here we are, bruised and scarred, presumed inferior, but we ain't scared of y'all, nah" Soul-stirringly real!
✊🏿😢
Can't stop going back to listen
That part hits and I simultaneously feel like breaking down and punching a wall.
I don’t know how many times I’ve listened to this set…Bilial’s vocals😢…Black Thought’s lyrics…man I’m in a whole vibe
That horn section is nasty🔥🔥
Bilal Is Definitely One Of The Coldest Vocalist To Ever Live
Bilal has been great for a long time! Highly underrated
b7k1l8yn if he dressed like a hood booger he’d have more recognition ... the average person can’t get past his dressing style
b7k1l8yn Yes... I am completely blown away.......
10:58 Bilal screaming up to the Ancestors beyond..... Heeeeeellllllllpppp
ONE OF THE BEST NPR SESSIONS! HANDS DOWN!!
indeed....they crushed the whole session with one track.........where they do that at???????
check out anderson paak....it's worth the time
"It ain't fair" was actually amazing. Literally blown away by the iron lunged tuba player.
I can't say i'm a Roots fan, i can't even say i know their work and i never heard of Bilal previous to this TDesk. This is the best Tiny Desk performance, i believe. This is perfection overdelivered. It's overwhelming like not many good things can be, i feel like being crushed when i hear it and am wowed every time i watch it.
Yes.
Well said Daanhel - I was not a Roots fan either and I feel exactly the same as you do. Since I stumbled on this song / TDesk, I find myself coming back to listen to it often and each time, I fight back tears - it moves me that much. Just amazing. Ps - I am an Australian white guy.
Every time I listen to this I am crushed and amazed all at once. Such a powerful song and performance.
I hope you have given the roota and Bilal a second chance.
His first album is classic Bilal!!!
This performance will always be a classic on Tiny Desk Concert and the world.
Are they inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame Yet? The Mighty, Mighty, Legendary Roots are truly an American Music Icon.
Man I love Questloves drumming.
anybody that knows what cymbals questlove uses this gig?
Tiny desk is the best thing that ever happened to RUclips... and this is the proof. LORD this is good !