NPR’s ‘Tiny Desk’ Celebrates Black Music Month with All-Female Lineup
Celebrate Black Music Month with NPR's Tiny Desk concerts featuring an all-female lineup including Chaka Khan, SWV, Tierra Whack, Tems, and more. Tune in this June for inspiring performances and interviews. We discuss it here!
Chaka Khan poses at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party on February 24, 2019 in Beverly Hills, CA.
Photo Cred: DFREE
By: Joshua Martin
NPR’s ‘Tiny Desk’ will feature an all-female lineup in celebration of Black Music Month this June. The lineup will feature Chaka Khan, SWV, Tierra Whack, Tems, Kierra Sheard, Lakecia Benjamin, Meshell Ndegeocello, Brittney Spencer and Flo Milli.
Producer and host of the successful concert series, Bobby Carter, shared his thoughts on the importance of spotlighting these legendary female acts.
“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. And to be honest, most of the bands that I aimed for, and most of the bands and the artists that I am most excited about from the legacy side, are women. So this time last year, I knew that we wanted to bring an all-female-led lineup this year.”
NPR’s Tiny Desk concerts celebrating Black Music Month are slated to release from June 3 - June 30 and will share the theme: “Giving women their flowers.” After each concert, musicians will receive their favorite flowers in honor of their impact and legacy. Also, NPR Music will produce short-form interviews for Instagram. With a few of the artists speaking about their musical journey and life experiences.
“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. So it’s a reminder like we do every year. When you looked at Juvenile last year you were reminded just how impactful his music is. Same with Usher a year before last. This month is a reminder for those who may have forgotten just how great these women are.”
Check out the NPR Youtube channel, where you can find past performances of Trina, Big Sean, Scarface, Usher and more.
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:
SHARE TO SOCIAL MEDIA
Prince Honored with Dedicated Seven-Mile Highway Stretch in Minnesota
Minnesota pays tribute to the late pop superstar Prince with a seven-mile dedicated highway passing by his iconic Paisley Park estate. We discuss it here!
Prince performing on stage. (Michael Ochs/Getty Images)
By: Adonis Armstrong
In a remarkable tribute to the late pop superstar, Prince, the state of Minnesota has taken a heartfelt step to honor the musical icon. On May 9, Governor Tim Walz signed a bill using purple ink, designating a seven-mile section of highway to pay tribute to the renowned singer. The highway leads through the Minneapolis suburbs of Eden Prairie and Prince's hometown of Chanhassen, passing by his famed Paisley Park estate. This extraordinary gesture serves as a lasting tribute to the indelible impact Prince made on the world of music. The purple-clad signs that dot the expressway serve as a constant reminder of his unparalleled talent and enduring legacy.
A 7-mile stretch of Highway 5 in Chanhassen, Minnesota will be renamed the Prince Rogers Nelson Memorial Highway. This morning Minnesota @GovTimWalz visited @PaisleyPark to sign the bill into law. The road signs will be purple in Prince’s honor. 💜
— Prince (@prince) May 10, 2023
Photo by Alex Kormann, Star… pic.twitter.com/cQpaJ7fK19
Previously identified as Minnesota Highway 5, the local drivers will now have the privilege of cruising along the Prince Rogers Nelson Memorial Highway. In a unique twist, instead of ordinary road signs, the expressway will be adorned with purple signs, financed by Prince's devoted friends and fans, as reported by The Associated Press.
Last Thursday May 4th, the legislation was successfully passed by the Minnesota Senate with a vote of 55-5, after which it was forwarded to the governor for his signature. The bill had previously received unanimous approval from the state House on April 21, coinciding with the seventh anniversary of the artist's passing.
One of the most striking aspects of this dedicated highway is that it passes by Paisley Park, Prince's iconic residence and creative sanctuary. Situated in Chanhassen, this sprawling estate served as a central hub for Prince's musical explorations and innovations. It is where he recorded numerous albums and hosted legendary parties and concerts. Now, as drivers cruise along the Prince Rogers Nelson Memorial Highway, they will have the privilege of passing by this iconic symbol of his artistic journey.
Annually, Paisley Park commemorates Prince's life by organizing a celebration on his birthday in June, which has been a tradition since his demise. The upcoming celebration, scheduled for June 8-11, will showcase unreleased music from the legendary artist, along with live performances by both local talents and renowned figures such as Chaka Khan and Chuck D.
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN: