Isaiah Rashad Delivers a Raw, Intimate Tiny Desk Performance Showcasing His Vulnerable Artistry

Isaiah Rashad brought his entire creative essence to this Tiny Desk concert, collaborating extensively in the weeks leading up to the performance to shape what “everything” would mean for this moment. Considering the significant time that has passed since his 2016 album The Sun’s Tirade, Rashad used this opportunity to address it all through his music. The result is a performance from this Chattanooga native that feels like a fresh introduction for both devoted fans and those discovering his work for the first time.

Rashad’s musical output blends hip-hop with blues traditions, and his artistry excels through unfiltered vulnerability expressed through candid songwriting. Album titles such as The House is Burning and his most recent release, IT’S BEEN AWFUL, make his struggles explicit: he has been enduring profound personal challenges. Family struggles, addiction, and questions of identity all receive unflinching examination. Stripped of studio production, these Tiny Desk arrangements reveal his melodic sensibilities and what he has described as “rapping in hieroglyphics” in conversation with NPR’s Rodney Carmichael. With endearing modesty, the TDE veteran delivers an ambitious, spiritually resonant 13-song set spanning his most compelling work.

SET LIST

• “Heavenly Father”
• “SAME SH!T”
• “West Savannah”
• “Headshots (4r Da Locals)”
• “Wat’s Wrong”
• “BOY IN RED”
• “M.O.M.”
• “SUPAFICIAL”
• “RIP Young”
• “SCARED 2 LOOK DOWN”
• “GTKY”
• “4r Da Squaw”
• “Prayers Up”

MUSICIANS

• Isaiah Rashad: vocals
• Gonzo Mendes: guitar
• Amaire Johnson: keys
• Dammo Farmer: bass
• Chris Panameno: alto sax
• Frank Alowishus: trumpet
• Diamond Johnson: drums
• Norelle: background vocals
• Moriah Wenzel: background vocals

TINY DESK TEAM

• Producer: Bobby Carter
• Director/Editor: Joshua Bryant
• Audio Engineer/Mix: Josephine Nyounai
• Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Maia Stern, Kara Frame

• Audio Director: Josh Newell
• Audio Engineer: Becky Brown
• Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
• Series Editor: Lars Gotrich
• Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
• Executive Director: Sonali Mehta
• Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson, Robin Hilton

Source link