We’ve been fortunate to enjoy a number of great Tiny Desk Concert videos over the years, from Tedeschi Trucks Band to Trey Anastasio to Anderson .Paak and countless others. Those performances all centered around the same Tiny Desk, specifically the one in the NPR’s All Songs Considered offices in New York, NY. However, Tiny Desk hit the road this week, making its way to the White House in time for the first-ever South By South Lawn festival in Washington, DC.
The Tiny Desk Concert is a perfect fit for South By South Lawn, which focused on innovation in technology and art. Thus, the team packed up their tiny desk and brought it to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, with the rapper Common leading the performance. He is accompanied by two legendary jazz musicians in Robert Glasper (keyboards) and Derrick Hodge (bass), both of whom are in fine form backing the lyrics of Common.
The four-song set sees Common testing out new material, and also welcoming guest vocals from Bilal on two songs. He also plays one classic, a rendition of the hit song “I Used To Love H.E.R.” According to NPR, the performance is not Common’s first appearance at the White House, but he remains honored to be included in this musical celebration in President Obama’s final months.
Watch the performance below!