This Tiny Desk concert was part of Tiny Desk Fest, a four-night series of extended concerts performed in front of a live audience and streamed live on YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.
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Jan. 21, 2020 | Bobby Carter — “I was talking to J. Cole about me doing this,’ Wale said as we rode the elevator up to the Tiny Desk. “He told me to just do my thing, but I wish I had more time to work this set out.” Wale’s friend and fellow MC was just one of several people who offered advice on how to approach his appearance for the Tiny Desk Fest. But I reminded him he’s performed with a live band as much as any other rapper we’ve hosted, which seemed to put his mind at ease. Wale arrived eight hours before his scheduled set time and, after just minutes of rehearsal, quickly settled in and shook off any pre-show jitters.
More than 10 years ago, the man born Olubowale Victor Akintimehin generated a lot of buzz in the D.C. area with a host of mixtapes showcasing his MC skills over popular instrumentals. What separated him from the hundreds of other hopeful rappers trying to make names for themselves online was his ability to fuse go-go music — D.C.’s homegrown spin on funk — with hip-hop. (Well, that and a crazy mixtape tribute to Seinfeld.) In 2011, Wale joined forces with Rick Ross and his Maybach Music Group and had a real breakout with “Lotus Flower Bomb,” the lead single from his sophomore album, Ambition. It went on to earn him a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Song in 2013.
A native of the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area (or DMV), Wale’s calling card remains the rap ballad, a streak he continued on his 2019 album, Wow… That’s Crazy, which debuted at No. 7 on Billboard’s Top 200. It reveals a man more self-aware than ever, exposing flaws and struggles while keeping his self confidence fully intact.
Wale’s Tiny Desk concert opens with his very first hit record and ends with his latest. Sandwiched between are highlights from his catalogue with a special nod to his hometown sound, courtesy of his touring band, Tre And The Ppl (formerly UCB). Tre is Wale’s right hand on stage and their effortless chemistry has been intact since the beginning.
Throughout 2019, Wale was pretty vocal on social media about the Tiny Desk. In September, he tweeted, “Still never done tiny desk.. and it’s like 20 min away…”. About a month later, on the same night Ward 5 Council member Kenyan McDuffie told the D.C. City Council go-go should be the official music of the district — and the night the Washington Nationals won the World Series — Wale finally made it.
SET LIST
“Lotus Flower Bomb”
“LoveHate Thing”
“CC White”
“Sexy Lady”
“Sue Me”
“On Chill”
MUSICIANS
Wale: vocals; Tre: vocals; Jerry Venable: percussion; Eric Curry: drums; Glenn Cobb: keys; Daniel Bennet: bass; Stanley Thompson: guitar
CREDITS
Producers: Abby O’Neill, Bobby Carter, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative director: Bob Boilen; Audio engineers: Josh Rogosin, James Willetts; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Maia Stern, Niki Walker, CJ Riculan, Jack Corbett; Production assistant: Tsering Bista; Executive producer: Lauren Onkey; VP, programming: Anya Grundmann; Photo: Eric Lee/NPR
I was in the room when this was filmed. This was one of the few shows that NPR sold tickets to, but the musician wasn't announced until you were there so it was a total surprise. Fun fact — it was supposed to be someone else who canceled at the last minute so Wale was called in to play. I'm guessing he was going to do one anyway as they seemed quite ready for it (at least his band did, per his own comments), but he was in fact a last minute substitution.
A handful of comments about all the 'white people' in the room and I'll confirm that's true. When they announced Wale it was like ~20% of the people in the room knew who he was at all, which I thought was hilarious. I knew Wale a bit, not a ton, but UCB was legendary so when I realized those guys were the band I was beyond stoked.
Wale is a great performer but as you can tell here he didn't really feel the crowd, because most of them are the typical wealthy DC transplant who just thought it would be fun and expected it to be Taylor Swift or something like that. I also think he was out of his comfort zone a bit as the Tiny Desk setup is REALLY quiet. It has a good full sound but when you're there, and I was near the front, you can honestly hardly hear it so it's super impressive these guys can play so confidently given the volume.
Just my two cents. Wale is great, this live vibe is way different than most of his albums, but getting a live rendition of CC White and Sexy Lady was priceless.
He's different live than on a track. He's. . .I can feel him, and it feels liberating. It's comfortable. It's like he's talking about things that I don't have the words for. It's genuine. I love him
On The Formula, 5 of rap’s hottest duos walk us through their creative process. Watch episodes with Freddie Gibbs + The Alchemist, Rico Nasty + Kenny Beats and more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5n-GC2wU4is&list=PLy2PCKGkKRVbYfsJ9gn-LrWPuALxU2Z1T&index=3
He couldn't have any idea how fitting his sweater would be looking back from years later.
Ooh Dang! Just love his everything I see on screen! Just so genuine!
NPR can we get Wale back for another? Has released a couple amazing Albums since this, with a message that needs to be heard.
What shirt is he wearing?
I like Wale. That back up singer has a nice voice. Thank You Wale.
so good. Amazing band. Great singer. Special mention to background vocal – WOW
Wale can do no wrong in my eyes
Does the background singer has more songs to listen him? I found here that his name is walker tre johnson
i dont like that other dude singing shii throwing me off
Is the song "sexy lady" on Apple Music I can't find it
I was in the room when this was filmed. This was one of the few shows that NPR sold tickets to, but the musician wasn't announced until you were there so it was a total surprise. Fun fact — it was supposed to be someone else who canceled at the last minute so Wale was called in to play. I'm guessing he was going to do one anyway as they seemed quite ready for it (at least his band did, per his own comments), but he was in fact a last minute substitution.
A handful of comments about all the 'white people' in the room and I'll confirm that's true. When they announced Wale it was like ~20% of the people in the room knew who he was at all, which I thought was hilarious. I knew Wale a bit, not a ton, but UCB was legendary so when I realized those guys were the band I was beyond stoked.
Wale is a great performer but as you can tell here he didn't really feel the crowd, because most of them are the typical wealthy DC transplant who just thought it would be fun and expected it to be Taylor Swift or something like that. I also think he was out of his comfort zone a bit as the Tiny Desk setup is REALLY quiet. It has a good full sound but when you're there, and I was near the front, you can honestly hardly hear it so it's super impressive these guys can play so confidently given the volume.
Just my two cents. Wale is great, this live vibe is way different than most of his albums, but getting a live rendition of CC White and Sexy Lady was priceless.
.
Black Boy Jooooooy!!!! Yessssuh!!!
He's different live than on a track. He's. . .I can feel him, and it feels liberating. It's comfortable. It's like he's talking about things that I don't have the words for. It's genuine. I love him
this tiny desk and Daniel Caesar are sooo good
The backup singer killed Miguel's part, love it. Great job wale