Conway The Machine: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

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Sept. 23, 2020 | Abby O'Neill - Conway the Machine is bringing the heat throughout our bizarre national quarantine with multiple albums and mixtapes, adding to the groundswell of Griselda buzz that's been building the past 12 months. As one third of the gritty rap group, Conway brings a distinctive swag and raw emotion to the Tiny Desk (home) concert series (as did his cousin, Benny The Butcher). Nestled into a booth at a diner in Queens, N.Y., Conway delivers five joints, including three from his 2020 album From King To A GOD. "Front Lines," produced by Beat Butcha, was written after the killing of George Floyd and speaks directly to the racial profiling committed by cops while policing Black communities.
"The Cow" is, as he says in the intro, "one of [the] most personal and transparent records I ever wrote," in which he speaks about losing one of his best friends and getting shot in the head and neck. The injuries led to permanent facial paralysis. This poignant song, which will be featured on Conway's Shady Records debut album, God Don't Make Mistakes, is heart-wrenching and exposes the heavy trauma he endured while ascending in the rap game. The song has brought Conway to tears in the past, and the memories clearly get to him again here. That tenacity in the face of adversity is something we can all aspire to, especially in 2020.
SET LIST
"Lemon" (prod. by Daringer & Beat Butcha)
"Front Lines" (prod. by Beat Butcha)
"OverDose" (prod. by The Alchemist)
"The Cow" (prod. by Daringer)
"Anza" (prod. by Murda Beatz)
MUSICIANS
Conway The Machine: vocals
CREDITS
Video By: Youssef Lehnin; Audio By: Chad "Frig" Kemp; Producer: Abby O'Neill; Audio Mastering Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Video Producer: Morgan Noelle Smith; Associate Producer: Bobby Carter; Executive Producer: Lauren Onkey; Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann
ABOUT THE SERIES
The Tiny Desk is working from home for the foreseeable future. Introducing NPR Music's Tiny Desk (home) concerts, bringing you performances from across the country and the world. It's the same spirit - stripped-down sets, an intimate setting - just a different space.

[@nprmusic]

How do you love rap when rap doesn’t love you back? From Rico Nasty’s harassment from toxic Carti fans, to Saucy Santana's unapologetically femme aesthetics in a queerphobic industry, to the assault case that put Megan Thee Stallion’s entire image on trial, each episode of Louder Than A Riot - the second season of our investigative hip-hop podcast - unpacks the unspoken rules of rap that hold the entire culture back. Tap in to our first episode at n.pr/louder-season-2.

[@beverlyx9546]

Rock 🪨 🎸

[@LIBryda]

Conway's performance of "The Cow" on this was one of the most heartfelt Tiny Desk moments I can remember since Mac performed "2009"

[@munasheZOE]

Watch their last Griselda Tour, the show in LA was so emotional. Hov had to pull him aside and console him. It was a heart-felt moment.

[@stacytaylor3233]

Listen I went to see Westside and Conway three years ago in Buffalo and to see him perform The Cow live was a hip hop moment for me

[@rossduckett819]

NPR: Bilal & The Roots

[@mcfcjoe10]

That Mac performance though, from the soul

[@Fortinho77]

It's unbelievable how The Cow still gives me chills like that.

[@aerosolbeatz7884]

You not the only one. Ever since he put that clip out when he started crying on stage, i get goosebumps every time i hear that song. Con is a real artist to paint the picture for us like he did. I felt like i was in the car with him...smh....The G.o.a.t

[@747promise]

Facts!

[@nossjsjajsjs2957]

Yeah i still get the chills too it hit home

[@alexcervantes6276]

Factsss

[@emceetv101]

Every time!

[@4242Chucknorris]

Man hearing the cow like this is crazy.

[@hoodrichdulla140]

One of the greatest rap verses ever

[@jordanolafson80]

fr fr one of the dopest hip hop tracks of all time!

[@erzr43]

cow always gives me the chills

[@dysperdotted]

waitress brought conway lemonade during lemon. i see what she did.

[@beemmeupscotty5993]

Stackin waffles too

[@jaysonjoyce9708]

LEMON SQUEEZEEEEE LEMON SQUEEZEEE

[@aaronmorgan5509]

oh...now i get it

[@thirteen37rose]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@mason20mason]

@@jaysonjoyce9708 LEMON SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZEE LEMON SQUEEEEEEEEZE ehahahah

[@PentameronSV]

0:00 - *Lemon* (2:13) 3:15 - *Front Lines* (6:45) 6:54 - *OverDose* (9:14) 9:57 - *The Cow* 13:07 - *Anza* (15:24)

[@sherman8r1998]

OverDose is so fire omg

[@NeopToIemy]

doin the lords work

[@YoungFlyMexicanNetwork]

Real one 💯 for this bro thank you!

[@adamdanielgibson]

THE COW!!!!!!!!!!

[@twitchprovokant6833]

Anza my joint

[@lamnestor4399]

I could cry every time I hear "The Cow"

[@ChunkyLosAngeles]

the fact that he put The Cow on this -- new fans need to know what this man overcame.

[@videowatchr5565]

Tell us. What's the story.

[@WhtMike2006]

video watch R he got shot 3 times in the back of the head and neck when someone was gunning for someone else. Half his face is paralyzed. He had to learn how to walk, speak, eat, and rap all over again. He talks about it in The Cow.

[@videowatchr5565]

@@WhtMike2006 Thank you.

[@TrashcanActual]

Top five verses all time for me.

[@anthonydetmer]

Bro... thanks for this info. Honestly looking dude up and his history because of these comments and responses

[@jdizzy11]

This is elite level Shakespearean rap. The writing is impeccable.

[@dmtmediabrothers]

He dont write

[@WhtMike2006]

DMT MEDIA BROTHERS he writes in his head but it’s still writing. I think we all know what Josh meant when he said the writing was impeccable. He meant impeccable lyrics. Jay and Big are great songwriters and they also wrote without a pen. It’s just Semantics.

[@rollingthunder8223]

He's reaching nas writing level

[@twitchprovokant6833]

Yes it is truly unbelievable.

[@levimata3116]

🔥🔥🔥🔥 its str8 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@samnielsen3510]

The Cow such a passionate track surprised he wasn’t in tears performing it that always happens he breaks down during that tune, boy has been through it

[@FamilyRoyalty]

He does cry singing that song live on stage.. Look it up.

[@Snicky391]

@@FamilyRoyalty I think he is saying that lol

[@alecbrooks591]

second verse on front lines verse of the year

[@edgarbarroso4049]

I swear to God!

[@philipwilliamson5332]

Facts

[@sherman8r1998]

Thats right

[@juliank.9446]

And his verse on the Cow is verse of the last decade

[@Diego-oq3ih]

Absolutely.

[@choppaboy1655]

Conway the grimiest one in Griselda🔥

[@BigSi-xw6wv]

Yeah he next level

[@j.d.3597]

NPR is flexing HARD with all these amazing Tiny Desk Concerts!!

[@Jaezus]

Straight up, fam! Tell em holla at me. 🤷‍♂️

[@yvesverela3874]

Bet!!!

[@SM-qw6zn]

JAEZUS Lives no

[@GriseldaBSF410]

Bring back the live bands and stop the lip syncing tho

[@dysay]

Yo your profile pic is dope my guy

[@NoiseThatLaughs]

I would have laughed a year ago if someone asked “Have you seen the Conway Tiny Desk Concert?” Big up NPR, bless up Conway.

[@davidblaise1985]

Conway The Machine pulled off the shades I felt that.

[@bihjanharvey763]

I put on my black Air Forces and durag just to watch this.

[@superiormeh]

I should do the same

[@ojojcmusic2454]

💪🏾🦾

[@stanleyb2320]

JUX READY

[@dearleah5654]

😂😂

[@napzmeka9266]

Slipped in to some Timbs to get in to this

[@jjohnwords2873]

I still play "the cow" on heavy rotation . That verse hits different

[@taviodeshields4436]

My favorite track by him

[@trappintrev9711]

table service during the performance is low key fireeee!!!

[@mike_choch]

HAHA high key!!!!

[@datdudesince1233]

Big facts!!!

[@augustwest5487]

Got the scale and some yak

[@angel_8418]

no cap

[@therealfonsooo]

Overdose will forever be one of Conway's best song

[@wrecklessonthebeat5059]

The diner set is kinda cool actually

[@wacluv718]

It's a chicken joint called Sweet Chick in Long Island City, Queens and Nas is one of the owners. I live two blocks away and their food is really good.

[@TheBizBoutique]

It’s in brooklyn too and Manhattan

[@Siillky]

70’s vibe

[@luiscuevas9789]

Everybody is food

[@JahovazWhiteness]

It's a restaurant in NYC that's co-owned by Nas.

[@DisssArm]

his timing on overdose is immaculate.

[@haakonhammer6651]

I couldn't quite get into Conway before, must of been the wrong mood for the vibe when I tried listening before......but this is perfection. I'm a fan now, thanks for the music Conway.

[@tw7321]

The man is unbelievable. Glad you came around!

[@DiceB]

@@tw7321word every one should

[@ej5105]

That second verse on Front Lines is 🔥🔥🔥

[@JAAY2KAAY]

Dumb hard

[@jethrobanda2136]

His attitude just adds to his persona and the story telling lyrics are just on another level .....

[@therealfilter8477]

The way he takes off his shades during "The Cow" just gave me chills. A man that seems so gangsta and hard from the outside showing his most vulnerable sides, both in the lyrics and literally by removing his shades that cover his face

[@jaminenyamekye7942]

Conway’s story is a testament type story. God Bless this man.

[@elijahcesar4149]

Everybody talkin about The Cow but he went nutty on overdose... Jesus the technical aspect of this song was insane.. How he slithers in and out the flows.. Cadence.. Rhyme schemes...lord..

[@ninjasrose1653]

Thank you!

[@frenchblueee]

This man has become one of my favorite artists. His story is dope, tenacity incredible, and his bars outta this world. Beats and flow are some serious

[@randydonovan7844]

Conway is the man. King to a god is fantastic

[@jordanleopold93]

So glad he performed Overdose - hands down my fav track by Conway. Flow is crazy

[@JayRenzi]

Mad respect to Conway the Machine straight from Cle, OH

[@Ahren24]

We need a Westside Gunn NPR

[@thatguyanderson]

NPR employees boutta pull up with the bulletproof Hermès vest

[@oscarsoprano4429]

Conway the Machine. The Cow, one of the best verses ever.

[@ummarkhaan9313]

💋💘💟💓

[@jamesbronz]

Nas would be frozen in awe if he heard these bars.

[@troyedwin4120]

The Cow... Still have the goosebumps from last year

[@theodiianni1080]

CONWAY LA MAQUINA

[@mmmaaaabbb]

Overdose has been my favorite of his since it came out!! So hard

[@WhtMike2006]

That's Jay-Z's favorite Conway joint too

[@mmmaaaabbb]

@@WhtMike2006 didn't know that! That's great

[@redmolina9781]

I need BOLDY JAMES on here.

[@GeorgetheGreat]

that would be like ASMR lol

[@CSL_]

Word

[@ybsorcaeloc]

boldy crazzyyyyy

[@subtlesuplex2394]

💯% - Marciano tooo! 🔥

[@Kev_-qm1je]

"Where we at wit it" -Boldy

[@breakingbreadwithkingjayse3145]

This set up is EVERYBODY IS FOOD

[@canabis420king]

This man is so fire that his food was still hot after 13 minutes.

[@beatsbrewslifeshow717]

Conway you deserve this homie

[@sgtcreasegrease]

Can't wait until everything goes back to normal, man. Really wanna start going to shows.

[@k.truell2999]

You said that.

[@wahoowa7]

I’ve been lucky enough to see Griselda live twice. Absolutely incredible. I miss it so much

[@boom6578]

his flow on overdose is too cold

[@alyshakoonce6561]

We not talking bout the fact shorty brought him a lemonade!

[@jbquigley2010]

I hope it was fresh squeeeeezed

[@almightyking9780]

Lemon squeeze 😂😂

[@jaystacks5249]

Lemon squeeze lemon squeeze

[@adamdanielgibson]

When life gives you lemons.

[@roymartinez1302]

yea just make sure it wasn't Machs Hard Lemonade.

[@chrishenri2509]

I love how the mic is positioned to his left to accommodate his injury

[@manocpjaevel]

Not the best range though, he raps outside too often.

[@planetzoot7410]

Was thinking the same thing

[@killuaonhorse]

Conway the Machine is a legend, Big Griselda!!! shoutout Benny The Butcher and Westsidegunn

[@stet8826]

Conway OWNS his lane.. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥👊🇬🇧

[@mr.e2297]

Dang BTS to Conway in just a few days. NPR really knows their stuff.

[@blahber222]

don’t forget Oddisee

[@tonyjabril]

For real haha but such a good combination

[@DJHYDEHEART]

I was looking for this comment. Huge BTS and Griselda fan. WE EATING!

[@janb7361]

@@DJHYDEHEART I love seeing people be open to different kinds of music especially in youtube comments where people are usually so elitist big ups man

[@briannewlin203]

Real chance for that crossover market

[@Croot_Music]

I didn't know restaurants were still using scales to weigh our their portions.

[@kingjaffejoe4446]

Gotta scale for them macros bro

[@krispykreme8249]

If you have to ask you ain’t bout that cuhh

[@stratepaper8508]

@JewelRunner95 🎯

[@xonatman]

had one when I worked at quiznos

[@AfroAmercanXpress]

Had to rock the Tims and fitted just to watch this!💎💎🔥🔥🔥

[@mydogsnameislucy768]

God flow on Anza. 🔥🔥🔥

[@Loso917]

I see anything Griselda and I like.

[@curtisjackson6378]

He rapping lemon sqeeze and the waiter brings him a lemon wowww...epic Conway just epic🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@curtisjackson6378]

@@easydp 😂😂😂😂😂right....dude silly for that one

[@Oganne01]

Having a meal after his raps....styles upon styles🔥🔥🔥

[@chingon784]

That last verse on front lines is insane

[@SpookyConcepts]

Conway might be one of the greatest of all time

[@robertojoaquinfrias4422]

First time hearing The Cow... just wow.

[@howietorres97]

I wish this man would come to Texas when they’re back touring, this man is straight heat 🔥🔥

[@thehomiejayomni]

No weak links in Griselda’s Big 3 💯🔥 🦂

[@shlumpchrist3812]

Don’t forget about Boldy

[@thehomiejayomni]

@@shlumpchrist3812 No doubt! Versace Tape pure fire but I was talking the original core...

[@HIP_HOP_JUNKIE_]

THE MACHINE 🤖🤖🤖

[@timothychansa1157]

Wow..The Cow! I could feel it. I almost shed a tear listening and watching him spit that

[@super_sanchez1698]

The Cow gives me goosebumps everytime it's such a great song

[@victorguillen7002]

La Máquina! I hope the new fans deep dive into his Discography after hearing The Cow

[@TheKonducta]

The real hip hop is over here 💥 💥 💥

[@aidancanoli]

@Kaptain Kid but ur still watchin this semi obscure man rn

[@tomjones5266]

Any beat he touches he absolutely nails, his flow and tone always match the beat to a tee, real hip hop 🔥

[@nate4437]

Thats a clean album cover right there!!

[@DequanHarris]

Conway is the best in griselda period

[@WeAreBXC]

I didn't know I was waking up to this today and I couldn't be happier

[@zacharybishop4329]

The cow gives me goosebumps everytime

[@MasterP27]

He tells it the best about the circumstances going on in Front Lines

[@andrejalil]

Not sure why I've never heard this guy. Heading to apple music right now to get up-to-speed. 👌

[@jf1274]

This is what happens when rappers start taking pride in their pen again.

[@dipthongthathongthongthong9691]

Machine! Never thought I'd see these universes collide. Over time Conway has proven he is the top boss of Griselda and now the whole Tiny Desk fan base knows it.

[@user-cf7jl1ct2g]

Shut up everyone, the president's are singing

[@v3listube]

Conway litterally has the best verses this year, he's not lying.

[@v3listube]

@AARVYY ahaha ew

[@RR-dh5gr]

Havent even watched yet but The Cow/Anza back to back is gonna be incredible to watch

[@deandregarden7200]

Griselda!!! Conway remind your soul what real hip hop sounds like.

[@sba4life]

we just need westside gunn tiny desk and then we complete with Griselda!!! shout out tiny desk for letting Griselda on this platform

[@LeJuan3000]

Yall dont know how good it felt when he finally sipped from his LEMON SQUEEEEZE LEMON SQUEEEEEEZE

[@Raisi.K]

I shed a tear everytime I hear The Cow

[@bryandavis3443]

Best tiny desk yet.

[@ankhmic3813]

This like watching a moving album cover too great🤞🏾

[@psihopix]

I see Conway the Machine, I press like..

[@alexmrsensi6681]

This man save the boom bap!!!full respect from italy ...we need this bro

[@shonEvans]

The Cow, is my favorite track, from that album. I've listened and shed tears for my lost soldiers.

[@ronamo8014]

I don’t know who’s my favorite. All 3 are nice! 3 Kings!

[@bigdoff3851]

Anza goes tooooo hard

[@adamdanielgibson]

I’m blessed to be watching this. Thank you Griselda. Praise All.

[@channelZER01]

How tf did I miss this by 2years. What a treat. ELITE RAP

[@Handsomehandgun]

😂😂

[@jeremiahdaly1000]

Tracklist: 0:00 - Lemon 3:15 - Front Lines 6:54 - Overdose 9:57 - The Cow 13:08 - Anza

[@DiceB]

Nice thank you

[@jamesbronz]

Wow! This was a powerful Tiny Desk session. The song "The Cow" describing how he got shot in the neck and in the face and how it partially paralyzed his face had me frozen. All I could say was "WOW"! No "so-called" hip-hop on the radio right now is touching NOTHING like this. Salute Tiny Desk for braving it up and opening the world of so many different facets of music, and the culture that they are embedded in.

[@joevorhees5443]

that cow performance is something you dont see or feel very often.

[@dymeaduzin]

Love Conway man

[@MrKhabeer45]

The cow verse is one of the best verses all time. Idgaf who thinks otherwise

[@kyzerbatiste2645]

THE COW IS ONE OF THE GREATEST TRACKS OF ALL TIME MY FAVORITE ONE FROM THE MACHINES CATALOG..🤲🏿🌹

[@elvino8948]

Hé need to sign that scale making it priceless 9:58 The Cow I almost dropped a tear!

[@el_mal_de_ojo]

Easily one of the best MCs of the last decade

[@royalbillionsmusic]

🤖🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Proud of my guy! Long time coming King👑

[@TheKenkennyg]

Ladies and gentlemen listen carefully because this right here is what they call a generational talent 🔥🔥.

[@shael7642]

Wow thank you for this

[@rollinsolmsted6412]

The Cow, every time is like the first time. Incredible.