Scarface: Tiny Desk Concert
4,909,265
Published 2023-12-18
Scarface's Tiny Desk concert radiates with his decadeslong passion as an emcee and producer. There's calculated intent behind every word and note of this 30-minute set and I learned that his love for golf also runs deep during our initial meeting. He was playing a round and had difficulty dividing his attention between the plan and the course. Three days before the show, amid rehearsals, I got a call from Facemob asking, "What if I brought Mike Dean?" My expectations were already high, but that final addition set the stage for something special.
Mike Dean provided unmatched authenticity, and their shared stories added sentimental value to this performance. After all, his signature keys and synths can be heard on most of Scarface's classics and countless Rap-A-Lot records. Here, we get a rare glimpse of Scarface the conductor, bouncing through multiple eras of his catalog including "On My Block," "Mary Jane" and the bone-chilling "I Seen a Man Die."
Scarface, along with Rakim, was recently awarded the inaugural Hip-Hop Grandmaster Award from the newly launched Paid in Full Foundation, which includes a sizable financial prize and healthcare. No matter how the never-ending hip-hop greats debate is sliced, the rapper's place is cemented as one of the most influential storytellers in the culture and his Tiny Desk is proof.
SET LIST
"On My Block"
"Mary Jane"
"Smile"
"I Seen a Man Die"
"F**k Faces"
"Mind Playing Tricks on Me"
MUSICIANS
Scarface: lead vocals, guitar
Mike Dean: keys
Steven "Spud" Howard: vocals
Takai "Cookie" Hicks: vocals
Peigh Jones: vocals, guitar
Corey "FunkaFingers" Stoot: guitar
Josh Henderson: keys
Jason "The Bishop" Allen: keys
Savar Martin: drums
Anthony "Antboogie" Nicholson: bass, musical direction
TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Bobby Carter
Director: Maia Stern
Editor: Joshua Bryant
Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Videographers: Maia Stern, Joshua Bryant, Alanté Serene, Michael Zamora
Audio Assistant: Ted Mebane
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Photographer: Elizabeth Gillis
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Kara Frame, Hazel Cills
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann
#nprmusic #tinydesk #scarface
All Comments (21)
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Whoever is responsible for this episode deserves a raise IMMEDIATELY!!🔥🔥
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I never thought I would see Scarface do a Tiny Desk Concert. I’m beyond grateful for this one.
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This is probably my favorite Tiny Desk episode hands down.
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On My Block with a full band makes my heart warm.
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This is why ppl say “they don’t make music like they used to” you can feel all the emotions in this 👏👏
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Just about a year or so ago, we almost lost Face, thank God his son was able to provide that kidney. Normalize giving our icons their roses while they can still smell them. Normalize giving our legends their proper respect and credit. His music, his message, made it ok to feel, made it ok to go through changes mentally, made it okay to be human. Thank you for everything you have done to enrich this culture Brad Jordan aka Scarface. 💯💯👑👑🐐🐐
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When that Man said, "There is something about good music"... I felt everything in that.
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I was present for this Tiny Desk and I can tell you that his passion for his craft and his family was even stronger in person. A phenomenal performance.
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People don't realize how legendary Mike Dean is! This is truly a moment.
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This is arguably one of the best moments in music.
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This is what happens when our legend grow old. Hip hop soul.
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You are watching a genius at work, his emotions, he plays an instrument, he’s a storyteller and watch him compose his music live! 🔥🔥🔥
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I love how the Tiny Desk shows the world that true MC's are not just rappers, but well rounded Musicians that understand all aspects of music. Don't just put Hip Hop artist into one box.
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It's his passion for me. To feel your own music years later into tears. He gave his rap too much soul
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Hands down killed it. The South got sumthin to say.
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This deserves a grammy.. the definition of nostalgia.. the arrangement.. musicianship.. tones.. delivery.. background singers.. this was masterful…it’s 2023 and we up against the same ish.. Top 5 All time.. give him his flowers ❤
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This wasn’t watching a performance. This was an experience! The vibe, the passion, the realness! Facemob!
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Just imagine Pac on these NPR music sessions talkin about how, where and what inspired him boy wouldn’t that be amazing 🥹🤔
