Noname: Tiny Desk Concert

Ashley Pointer | November 10, 2023
Out of the thousand and some Tiny Desk concerts to date, it’s seldom an artist returns to the Desk. But when they do, there are a couple requirements: come in a new iteration or present something completely different. In this case, the Chicago-bred, emcee-activist Noname does both when she performs some revolutionary raps from her third album, Sundial, and premieres an unreleased single from hip-hop trio Ghetto Sage, made up of her and frequent collaborators, Smino and Saba.
A lot has changed since Fatimah Warner dropped her classic debut, Telefone, in 2016 and made her first appearance behind the Tiny Desk in 2017. She released a stunning follow-up, Room 25, and she even briefly paused her music career to delve deep into her work as an activist. However, holding a mirror up to herself, her community and the music industry is a signature that persists across her career, and even more so on her album Sundial.
Complemented by her dynamic six-piece band, she performs a few selects from this album including the gospel-infused “Hold Me Down,” which Noname describes perfectly as “a petty love letter to my community.” Then she gets into “Boomboom” featuring the vocalist Ayoni, who delivers a raw and powerful performance. She then invites Smino and Saba up to perform the unreleased “Kush and Love Songs,” delivering clever and conscious bars on top of a swing groove. Concluding the show in true Noname fashion with “Balloons,” she asks the audience: “Where better to do my most controversial song than NPR? Real journalism.”
SET LIST
"namesake"
"hold me down"
"boomboom" (feat. Ayoni)
"Don't Forget about me"
"kush and love songs" (as Ghetto Sage)
"balloons"
MUSICIANS
Noname: vocals
Smino: vocals
Saba: vocals
Ayoni: vocals
Greg Paul: drums
Brooke Skye: bass
Cisco Swank: keys, vocals
David Otis: sax, effects
Kamilah: vocals, loop station
Claudia Abena: vocals
TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Ashley Pointer
Director/Editor: Kara Frame
Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Videographers: Kara Frame, Maia Stern, Joshua Bryant, Alanté Serene
Audio Assistant: Josephine Nyuoni
Photographer: Michael Zamora
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Hazel Cills
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann
#tinydesk #noname #nprmusic

[@nprmusic]

Want to play your own Tiny Desk concert? Unsigned musicians, enter the 2024 Tiny Desk Contest between Jan. 23 and Feb. 21. Learn more: npr.org/tinydeskcontest.

[@quanadkins2696]

No bs

[@nkhwanjiwamhone2371]

You on some BS😂

[@tamekaseymore2645]

​

[@dineo7876]

Hiatus Kayote and Tems🕯🕯🕯

[@vt_vhuthu]

Noname’s flow is unmatched

[@signupman332]

Her flow is a direct match to Chance the Rappers flow lol. Lyricism is next level tho

[@colinbrash]

@@signupman332a little unfair, she’s gone in her own direction even if there were shared influences. She isn’t a Chance clone by any means. Agreed though that she isn’t necessarily trend setting, but that’s not a diss. She is sick af.

[@camarrab.7659]

She’s so unique

[@user-gl5ld9vm7i]

Masterfully done

[@kelseygiddings1119]

YES

[@mnqobisimiso1467]

Man we need a Smino concert please!!

[@jodestolo]

A luv 4 rent tiny desk woulda been so good 😢

[@stacysdad7]

​@@jodestolothat'd be lit but he better throw some blkswn and noir tracks in there 🩷

[@Diamond06]

Yessss plzzz🥺🥺 I luv smi

[@Majurie]

PREACH

[@agileasmr656]

YES

[@musicman3427]

Man the bassist is crazy holding the low frequencies the background vocals and the drummer is killing it, keyboards off the chain. Noname literally in a zone

[@fatmata.binta.b]

Ayoni's voice is pure gospel, richness, and velvet. Good god! Noname's is such a skilled storyteller and healer; every track in her catalog moves my heart (to tears/ laughter/ everything in-between). All the musicians involved crafted such a delicious moment, bravo y'all!

[@kimandgumi]

Noname was one of the artists that made me follow NPR Tiny Desk. I've watched her first performance countless times. Really nice to see her back.

[@brandonbrown6918]

T-pain performance what really set them off, and had me captivated to see every artist, and NoName ...... Good lawd a breath a fresh air and a true ARTIST in every letter of the name👏🏾👏🏾. She'll never disappoint

[@organicallygrownwoman]

🤌🏽🤌🏽 🔥 🎙 🔥 🎙 🔥

[@CeeCeeluvsmusic]

Indeed!!🎊🎊👏🏽👏🏽

[@OkaySoShit]

She's facist

[@thesuncollective1475]

Same🙂

[@Boneydorito479]

Bass player is absolutely killing it.

[@thesuncollective1475]

I know right

[@8one7hug45]

plus she looks like she was Wish Bone's daughter

[@Jarveepro]

It’s incredible 💖

[@unripetomato4312]

i was lookig for this comment

[@BluesmaNeedham]

Thats all i can focus on. I'm like, just give me that rhythm section haha

[@pzee83]

Noname, Ayoni, Smino, Saba, Meraba and Jid should all be on the same joint multiple times.❤

[@OnlyDMarks]

Imagine if they added an verse on Ace 👀

[@dracon4742]

@@OnlyDMarksnahh i need this immediately

[@maskedandoff9571]

Listen to Amphetamine-Smino

[@OnlyDMarks]

@@maskedandoff9571 you talking about the second part 🔥

[@steadystrivin2904]

& Rapsody

[@_youneedtoleave6968]

I really hope people look into the messages in her music, it feels like she’s arguing for human survival and we’re just nodding our heads to the beat

[@supreme_ghxst]

That is funny

[@fionagallagherapologist5968]

her lyricism is insane

[@_youneedtoleave6968]

@@supreme_ghxst you are twelve.

[@supreme_ghxst]

@@_youneedtoleave6968 I'm actually 9

[@kaylaalexander2471]

Right!!!

[@Dendosa]

Never clicked on something so fast in my life🤣🤣😭

[@minenhlesimelane8748]

Makes the two of us😂😂

[@LiamWithThaAux]

Same here😁

[@charles20980]

Literally😂😂😂

[@elizabetholdham9100]

😂😂😂

[@itsmetifft]

Sameeee.

[@rambal5919]

so you just gon casually bring out SMINO AND SABA like that? easily one of the best Tiny's

[@MonteCarlo8813]

Right?! We need this ghetto sage album

[@Treyleelee]

Facts, crazy

[@carissaetlora]

FOR REALLLLL

[@michealscott6536]

They a group together. They have a couple song under the name Ghetto Sage

[@serenitythyme219]

Facts!!! Nah she was right!! Best new age/modern hiphop

[@PieterFranken]

The bassist, she's killing it - amazing

[@delsingh6959]

extremely underrated.

[@jessevandendoren]

this whole band is so good, this minimalism, soft but impactful playing, soo hard to do right!

[@crisclucas5182]

Brooke totally rocking it!

[@BetterLifeCreations]

Absolutely ❤great performance

[@adriannaalba2649]

“namesake” 0:00 "hold me down" 3:20 "boomboom" (feat. Ayoni) 6:15 "Don't Forget about me" 10:34 "kush and love songs" 15:26 "balloons" 20:07

[@user-lr5se7nt9z]

Thank you

[@Empress-com]

Thank you

[@designerkikiTV]

Thank you ❤

[@who_isjos]

i would have loved to listen oblivion here 😭😭

[@__-ch5sm]

🌹✨❤️‍🔥

[@ravenbridges2962]

Noname is a poet. Iconic. I’m glad she’s lasted. Her light is truly a blessing to the genre

[@danavixen6274]

A breath of hip hop fresh air! ❤

[@mason5306]

got teary eyed whenever smino and saba came out. truly a historical trio that has been supporting each other since day one, and their chemistry is so genuine. sundial was a perfect album for tiny desk, thank you

[@icefkncold]

For real such an iconic trio

[@wholeon247]

Couldn’t have said it better loved this so much

[@leratonkosi7676]

i love them so much 🤍

[@M4pWannaParty]

Facts

[@qinisaningwane4506]

There are so many things I love about this performance: 1. How she interacts effortlessly with the audience 2. Her flow 3. The band is so mellow and potent 4. The featured acts are insane 5. The song she sang don't forget about me where the crowd sang along at the end. That was beautiful. 6. The pianist is a magician.

[@mariamagillespie8253]

Heavy on the band being mellow and potent ✨

[@olaoluwaakinyemi418]

The pianist is Cisco Swank, and amazing musician in his own right!!!

[@mariamagillespie8253]

@@olaoluwaakinyemi418 ahhhh thank you new artist unlocked ✨

[@josephflorendo1632]

The pianist makes his own music too! Cisco Swank brodie.

[@hotshot-te9xw]

Don't forget that lyrical complexity in terms of the concepts she is putting out there

[@daandejong661]

I love her introvert and reflective confidence it's on pointttt

[@perspicaciouscritic]

Noname's music and lyrics are on a Pulitzer prize winning level.

[@shanicemwathi1349]

say it again!!

[@lllllllllll11llllllllll]

No

[@LitCast]

Mick Jenkins, Marlon Craft, Gil Scott-Heron, Mahalia, Ivy Sole > noname alright tho

[@lllllllllll11llllllllll]

@@LitCast not mahalia her recent project was disappointing imo

[@juu366]

word salad

[@tyrekrobinson-alexander5582]

If you like Noname, you definitely got good taste in music. Shout out to y’all 💪🏽

[@lopezcesar89]

Homegirls doing the background vocals did their thing! Noname of course killed it too 😭

[@kmann6903]

Her doing "don't forget about me" was so personal. That song means soo much to me

[@thobamalunga2194]

I love how Smino and Saba always there in Noname songs the love is real

[@ChilleDINJerseY]

God I love saba

[@DamonCahlil]

I love their friendship so much. I also would love to see Smino and Saba in their own NPR sets.

[@zsomborkovac5251]

@@DamonCahlil Saba got one but I agree I think both of em woulf be FIREEE

[@kidsnas504]

namesake 0:00- 3:08 hold me down 3:10- 5:50 boomboom 6:00- 9:20 dont forget about me 10:30-14:55 kush and love songs 15:00- 19:40 balloons 20:00-22:50

[@KHarris888]

Thank you ❤

[@kahrihillmosley1913]

Is kush and love songs unreleased?

[@kingofthejofundies9080]

yes sadly@@kahrihillmosley1913

[@jmcfar03]

​@@kahrihillmosley1913yes

[@faitho5552]

@@kidsnas504she says it’s unreleased in the video

[@Anisa-zs9cl]

She looks so good here, shining. I remember seeing her as a freshman in college, and could visually see the turmoil she was experiencing at the time. So it’s really good to see her here getting her flowers 💐

[@D1NOSAUR1A]

Woah she looks way different, I almost didn't recognize her. This woman seriously just keeps getting more talented and beautiful by the day. Killing it!

[@mattforman4972]

I thought the same thing…I don’t regularly listen to her but I remembered the last tiny desk, which I liked a lot, and when I heard her start the first song I did the “is this the same girl” look. She looks great and her music is only getting better as she matures as a musician.

[@julesdonatien5933]

She gained so much confidence

[@Groovy-GG]

she did

[@daddycrimson]

fasho, she seems so clear headed and focused

[@J.LS.]

She looks great.

[@NompumeleloVictoriaSekhosana]

Exactly

[@someangel-shape6797]

‘All I am is everything and nothing at all All I am is shoulder for your heart to lean on All I am is love All I am is love’ Just the most beautiful lyrics ever

[@MzLaynaP317]

The background singers 😍😍 their voices sent chiiillls up my spine and almost made me drop a tear. Such beautiful voices!

[@neveerland]

The fun you hear in their voices when the trio is vibing together. You can't fake genuine friendships in music. So much love in this room

[@sallysson]

Noname has just earned a new fan. Can't wait to hear more. This will be my rabbit hole for the day. Tiny Desk never disappoints.

[@QuotedMC]

This isn't even her first tiny desk concert. She has an earlier, and arguably better tiny desk concert from 2016 I believe.

[@OkaySoShit]

She's facist

[@sallysson]

@QuotedMC yes, I found out she did Tiny Desk 4 years ago

[@kpeeskii]

The Telefone album is a classic! She’s amazing with the wordplay

[@cryptocurt4741]

Speaking of Rabbit Hole, listen to her rabbit hole bar in “All I need” by her and Xavier Omar

[@notplane]

LOVE Noname, her flow, her message, her aura, her book club and activism, just an amazing, awesome, cool, intelligent, divine person!

[@chicagocard5]

I’ve watched this 20 times and it keeps getting better….

[@danavixen6274]

Noname's flow is SICK ASF. She is DESERVING of much success! Sundial from this BEAUTIFUL hip hop star is worth a listen! ❤

[@misterjahi]

What I dig the most about Noname and her whole crew is the originality. It doesn't sound like anything else. Bars, style, and a smooth edge. This is the expansiveness of the culture over the next 50 years. Well done.

[@johngladman4291]

This is what a real artist looks like.

[@zachedwards5692]

Had the absolute honor seeing noname tonight in Cleveland. Her touring band are the same people featured here. They were all so amazing, genuine, and talented. So thankful for noname and how much her art has done for so many.

[@ehart04]

Hearing this live version of Don’t Forget About Me brought tears to my eyes.

[@dre.supreme]

Her flow is Basquiat himself painting a masterpiece in the most luxurious NYC studio space in my head…

[@jenbloom6848]

Perfection.

[@yourlocalusername392]

Why is this so accurate lol. Nah fr u worded it so beautifully

[@katrahqueymusic]

that live rendition of "dont forget about me" is such beautiful melancholy

[@Oakwoodrecords]

The “Don’t Forget About Me” performance brought me to tears fr. All of yall are so incredibly talented man

[@imvdat3698]

Was not expecting one of my all time favourites in this new tiny desk. The tears were instant.

[@tamaratorijones]

same, such a beautiful song.

[@yeetf0rever]

Noname has been on another level since her soundcloud days, this was such a great performance - "Don't Forget About Me" took me out! So many beautiful surprises

[@stephaniebatten5861]

Have never heard of this brown poet, but I’m so proud of npr for never bleeping a single artist. Yes, real journalism. Keep doing you Noname. You got a 60 yr old fan in NC! 🎶

[@thunderousbandit6679]

You need to watch her first performance then

[@MikeQuick-ye7ez]

This is unreal. The bass player growlin'...the twinkly keys...the mic spittin'. WOW.

[@Cabritostube]

Brooke Skye bass is silky smooth, and on point! Great feel..

[@courtneygonzales792]

This was amazing and even better than her first Tiny Desk. I just saw her perform this weekend and when I tell you it was so refreshing. I live in Chicago but went to the Detroit performance. It was my first time going to a smaller concert, I loved the mixed crowd. People of ALLL colors and ages where in attendance ❤❤

[@Monimeech]

I was there too i was shocked by the diversity i live here and never seen that fr it was amazing

[@Zavyeer]

My favorite part of this performance is seeing the glow in Fatimah’s whole aura. You have to love seeing artists grow into who they truly are as they become more comfortable with putting themselves out there. This episode was so energetic and happy

[@makhimtati5418]

The band was on a mission today, especially the guy on keys (Cisco). GREAT JOBS GUYS. Love your work.

[@malvinboye8974]

Listen to Cicsco Swanks works you would love it TRUST!!

[@brittanywilliams2103]

love seeing her growth. I remember her opening up for Mick Jenkins in 2015 at a random LA venue. Been a fan since then, she's truly a hidden gem. I get everybody on her like "ya dk noname??"

[@brifarris8572]

Her whole set was on point My first ever hearing Noname I just ran pass this & clicked on I have something new to listen to on my apple playlist Thank, you Noname

[@GilbertTang]

Amazing how much has changed in the world since her last incredible appearance. And yet, it's no surprise how much the world has stayed precisely the same.

[@OkaySoShit]

She's facist

[@ohhnygoodness]

The loudest crowd I’ve heard on Tiny Desk yet! It’s a pleasure to have noname back 💕💕💕💕

[@rafaeljuliao1741]

This girl is a genius! I could listen to her 24/7. Cheers from Brazil ❤

[@alainromero7754]

“I am more than a staple, a Ruler in my city!” That’s so tuff! 🔥

[@HebionTheWizard]

saw her live in 2019 and she was amazing BARS. Still one of the best mc out here

[@ashleysapp1333]

the backup singers !!!! CHILLS! noname is a truth teller, and ayoni, saba smino crushed it - love thisssss

[@DeepCrossing1]

Noname’s ability as a writer and emcee is undeniable ⭐️

[@Island606]

Blown away by this performance! So much talent 🫶🏻

[@MugandeMuyoka]

She's a vibe and then lyrics 👑

[@lariefleming212]

She looks so different but the vibes are still unmatched!!! I love love love noname 🖤

[@silasdaffin3988]

I was just thinking that! I haven’t seen a pic of video of her for a couple years now. She looks Amazing!

[@adderon7476]

She on The Armed band's diet regiment

[@AbstractEcho4]

Forget the flow, forget the incredible and masterfully crafted ensemble; the message!! 🤯🤯 This talented artist, Noname, just called out such a poignant truth that I’m sure, even here, has flown, soared over so many tuned-in heads. Noname, big ups 🫶🏽

[@colorantartificiel3018]

This embody the reason why we make music. Her, the band, the singers,everything about this performance is perfection.

[@jroameverywhere]

Noname is phenomenal. I NEED a Ghetto Sage album... I'd even take an EP

[@skyedopa5938]

Hope they add JID on a few

[@tuks2000]

I don't think it's too early to say that this is my favourite tiny desk. New Ghetto Sage track with them performing it live and killing it!!! "don't forget about me" Need I say more? Beautiful, complete performance imo❤‍🔥🔥

[@hux2135]

Exact thoughts after hearing the new track!

[@cdcx9033]

So happy to see you back

[@TheMexicanman55]

She looks great. Great energy. Impeccable flows. Amazing guests

[@juicy_mango_paradise]

theres nothing like seeing a tiny desk concert for the first time and instantly feeling it, as soon as the first song starts (or even a moment before). the set makes you dance; makes ya laugh, makes ya cry, and as soon as it ends you instantly press replay. theres just something about this series, it has such high quality. and to see Noname on here a second time! at a difficult worldwide moment when she is the only famous person i would really want to hear from. amazing band! and thank you Noname for speaking the truth, and for saying things that need to be said, in such a profound, beautiful way 😭 Music is healing. its so powerful. im sincerely grateful to everyone who makes this happen.

[@juicy_mango_paradise]

also i appreciate the fact that Obama puts Noname on his playlists but she still criticises his actions as president

[@alastairprescott]

We had such high hopes for Obama. He promised change so sad he didn’t deliver. It’s hard to fight the powers that be.

[@HerEvilTwin]

Cool to see Noname here, been a fan for years!

[@maxbailey9164]

She’s done one before

[@danfromtheburgh]

been a fan for year but doesnt know she did one before

[@HerEvilTwin]

@@danfromtheburgh just because I’m a fan it doesn’t mean I search for literally every appearance she does, plus the amount of videos Tiny Desk uploads it’s quite easy to miss uploads. There’s alot of artists I love that I didn’t know had Tiny Desk concerts until much later. Doesn’t seem that wierd to me

[@Legendary9612]

6 years later and still the same vibe. Superb flow.

[@bartowflorida]

My favorite trio: Smino, Saba and Noname!

[@camsees]

"I ain't f*cking with the NFL or Jay-Z Propaganda for the military complex The same gun that shot Lil Terry Out west the same gun that shot some Samir in the West Bank." 👏🏻

[@HalfLife_Kitty]

Yeah. 🎉

[@theinfamouspokeinrichmondc3543]

Not only is she a dope artist, she really cares about our community and culture. I been apart of her book club for 3 years and had the pleasure of meeting her at Marcus Book Store in Oakland, California ✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿❤️💚🖤

[@fronieeckenrode4989]

So rare to hear radical voices succeed at this level. Keep speaking noname, we love ya

[@AzureDee77]

This set is absolutely amazing and so perfect for my spirit man... I lost my mother in October 2023, and I broke down in tears when she did, "Don't Forget About Me," (cry) Omg... Noname has the best project that came out of 2023. 🥰

[@marquisedawud]

she literally makes me cry every time I listen to/watch her

[@chawanavaughn]

@NoName Congratulations🎉 on your 2nd tiny desk! I can't wait for this @Saba and @Smino collaboration to drop 🔥

[@augusthupp8583]

so I'm just gonna come back to this every day to listen to kush & love songs til it comes out? it don't pay much but its honest work 😤😌

[@Bill-Hicks-ashtray]

Hip hop, jazz and spoken word.. All my favourite things in combo🔥🔥

[@reginaldwilliams3681]

Noname has had so much growth but her old catalogue is still filled with classics... So good to see her in a positive space after all the BS.

[@tinamariexcore]

One of the best MCs out there. She’s on tour y’all ☄️🔥✨

[@Acceber8701]

So glad to see Noname on this Tiny Desk Concert! She's so talented and is one of the few artists keeping Hip-Hop alive. 🎵🎤

[@jus-p6743]

Definitely one of the BEST tiny desks, hands down... Brooklyn is 🔥 🔥

[@princemichael8]

Absolutely beautiful soul! Back then we had and still have Ms. Lauryn Hill. Today we got Noname 💐💐💐

[@thecasualhippie]

so thankful to Noname for her gift. this album is one of the best this year. the growth is so inspiring.

[@kimmortaltheartist]

Noname is not just a dope artist, she is a solid person who challenges us all to be radically honest for liberation, and for community.

[@imania.w.5815]

This ❤

[@Noirlore]

She’s antisemitic

[@The0nionKnight]

And yet she doesn't want white people to listen to her music. And did you really say shes a "solid person"??? Shes the complete opposite. Shes a hypocrite and extremely divisive.

[@Kabullo76]

lol

[@Sovonnie]

This is why NoName is one of my favorite artist!!!!!

[@darealdovahkiin3652]

So glad to see Noname back, and with Smino and Saba at that! Also shoutout the bassist, she was insanely good!

[@AudhamEnThaTokyo]

Okay but Ayoni 🔥🔥🔥 what a voice!!

[@40Nicolita]

Ayoni has an incredible voice.

[@korawright9440]

can we address how INCREDIBLE SHE LOOKS

[@loghanmackenzie5304]

I absolutely love Smino and Saba. So happy they came through for this!! Noname killed it as always!

[@gingerdude55]

Noname got me hooked on Tiny Desk. So glad to see her back, new album is one of the best out there. Also gotta get Ayoni back here for her own tiny desk, she's amazing

[@thedarkprince3307]

I saw her at a Anderson .Paak concert in Atlanta didn’t know who she was and immediately went home and found out and ever since I’ve listening to every single thing she’s put out

[@TheRealD11]

She looks amazing and happy ❤️

[@jessicabarcoguerra8706]

She was never out of breath.

[@sjkiddo_]

everyone's rocking it but the bassist and bg singers are just incredible! love noname

[@brysonwade7701]

We need the trio album. It’s necessary.

[@shmeeksmusic4182]

Wasn’t expecting to cry on the way to work, but Don’t Forget Me is so sincere😭

[@Rarepanthrr]

Noname had one of the best rap albums this year. Such an underrated artist.

[@25SamSpider]

if this is the only way we gettin smino on a tiny desk i’m satisfied 😂

[@stevenbroussard3466]

She’s truly the best

[@pwheezy3397]

Noname never disappoints!!! Also she is Gorgeous!!! The Band was dope!!! The Background Singers was dope!!! The Guest Artists were dope!!!