Trouble Funk: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

[@bryanward7451]

A white boy from Beltsville. Go Go music and sports brought everyone together. Almost 60 now & still find a smile when I hear trouble funk.

[@isaacstevens5935]

I served in the Navy with a WB, from P.G. and heard him listening to GO-GO one day, and i was like what do you know about this. He let me know real quick that he was from Beltsville 👊🏽

[@pN1zzL3816]

4 years later I still watch this once a week lol

[@friendlier]

Had no idea Trouble Funk were still together. Go Go music 4evah!

[@emperorkiser4393]

Man one of the most underrated bands of funk. Back in the day when you heard drop the bomb 3 blocks away they knew it was me because nobody knew about troublefunk until I played them

[@robinbutler9285]

For those who grew up with this original DC funk groove, this sound feels like Ballou HS, Haines Point and Ben's Chili Bowl all rolling over your ear hole at once!

[@wladekwloszcz3803]

like 1970s best BLACK music, for me (Eastern Europe)

[@raphaelgrisoni5919]

Very much go go style like Chuck Brown too

[@GreenCheesePizza]

SURSUM CORDA

[@kay_o5868]

Highland...6th & Atlantic 😏

[@GreenCheesePizza]

@@kay_o5868 yes sir🫡”Summer in the Parks” every hood had a dozen or more “go go” bands

[@allhailch3vy]

Trouble Funk was the first band I heard live growing up in Virginia my mom took me to a festival at the beach. Introduced me to gogo music.

[@geebeeinga]

Wow, PG County kid who grew up and graduated HS in 84’. Grew up on DC Go-Go. Livin in the South now but haven’t forgotten this awesome music. Folks down here jus’ don know…

[@jonathanweiss8955]

was locked up there for a minute !

[@diamondbarnes969]

Miss DC man and the old culture .

[@WMiles-yl5tj]

WOW!! That horn section!!! I commented once but those horns are cranking!!!!!

[@3kingkool]

Big Lee Yeah!!!

[@635mobile7]

The horns are definitely the butter in these grits!!!

[@sonaamusan666]

No one is taking bout how the drummer plays effortlessly and the precision of the guitarist.

[@MrPrincepop]

No doubt. But that's mandatory to play Go Go which you know came from Funk, which means it's tight, syncopated, and in the pocket.

[@rc987456]

@sona amusan You can't stop there bro, the whole unit is playing like a well oiled, finely tuned machine!

[@hellopinkham]

You are.

[@MetaphysicalMusician]

Mad pocket

[@Mr-Keyes]

Playing the pocket on drums is harder than fast playing solos. Anyone can have a bad night in a band..... Except the drummer.

[@MsLizChatham]

I lived in DC and loved this music! Remember the 'punk/funk' shows? Trouble Funk would play with bands like Discord or The Meat Men. The crowds at those shows were amazing, harmonious and everyone got along and danced together. What a time for music.

[@profesorjapones1960]

Double Wooow..!! I love your music.. I have the funk in my blood... I"m play the bass by fourty years.. Greats hugs from Curicó , Chile...South America.

[@mralgee]

My GO-GO FUNK - Heroes of the 80`s !!!

[@souldeep808]

Dude on the Drum set back there quietly KILLING it!!! I see you Dawg!

[@emanon704]

I'll tell Tony Edwards that you gave him props

[@johnb5057]

@@emanon704 tell him he kinda looks like pharoahe monch too

[@635mobile7]

When I was little I used to try and imitate gogo drummers using empty peanut cans and buckets. I got pretty good too.😁 Trouble Funk is untouchable 100%!!!

[@CityLife202]

Love my city! I’m in my 40’s now, I remember my Pops and uncles use to crank Trouble Funk, RE, Chuck Brown and so many other bands back then. The 80’s and 90’s was definitely the golden years of GO GO💯💪🏾

[@glendamattox7535]

I'm a word person. The raps here blew me away. I just found this yesterday and I'm grinning like an idiot because I haven't heard anything so good in quite a while. And I'll be 70 this year. WHAT!!!

[@glendamattox7535]

The guy with the gray hair is my next husband 💋

[@dreasducati3077]

Most business's don't even last 40 years...It's Amazing to see them putting down this massive sound 40 years later so perfectly ! That can only mean one thing. This is real music !

[@rogerrice5325]

Word

[@1dkappe]

Back in the mid 80’s I saw a show with the Beastie Boys, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Trouble Funk. Trouble Funk blew the doors off the place. When the other bands got inducted into the hall of fame, I just remembered how much better Trouble Funk was. Drop the Bomb!

[@12TribeTone]

Thanks for that history and knowledge!

[@maxponsetis1948]

you just droped another one

[@djthrift6244]

Wow, and that's when RHCP was still Funky!

[@johnb5057]

theyre better than both of those groups

[@nessearthbound9864]

Thé chili peppers have evolved since the 80s

[@marvinberry9874]

Oh yes. I hit DC area in 82 and it was all go...as in Go Go. All the way live. DC people are some of the most real people in the world. Represent Trouble Funk.

[@MsDorisann]

Yes, TROUBLE FUNK, DMV we in the house with GOGO!!!!!! I am going nuts, yes this is so mind blowing. People must understand this is our own sound created in D.C. This is historical, The legendary and iconic TROUBLE FUNK!!!!! FATHER CHUCK BROWN created GOGO music in D.C. GoGo music became the sound track for our lives in DMV. NPR thank you, and you understand your audience!!! TROUBLE FUNK is knocking it out the park as ALWAYS!!!!! I am here in 2019.

[@RCLIFTOFF]

Talk about a pleasant surprise! 40 plus years for these guys and still jamming!

[@temica390tepp4]

BLACK don't crack and neither does their funk!!!!

[@jbsrevenge6529]

Sho nuff!!!

[@gregorythomas4470]

Givin the culture vultures something to feed on!

[@thrillsteel2252]

Never heard Go Go till I went to Morgan State University and the students for D. C. would be rocking Go Go. The D.C. girls would go wild when they played Go Go at the parties and I made sure I was right in the middle of them......lol lol

[@DouglasPendletonintherealms]

I bet them girls hurt you with them moves.

[@thrillsteel2252]

@@DouglasPendletonintherealms Pleasureable pain. lol lol

[@johntylersounds]

I Didn’t hear gogo til I went to Bowie loll same situation

[@stclemmons1969]

Grew up in DC and still have never heard anything close to a GoGo groove. Percussion is untouchable. I cannot not move when that percussion kicks in...and Im a 50 year old white dude! Good Gawd y'all!

[@uptowngeorgiaave900]

💪🏿🎯

[@marvinhagler4721]

This is what WE grew up on...the 45 plus crew..(age).....FULL BANDS.!!!!

[@jasonbyrd1840]

Preach

[@williammartin5569]

I remember when Pump me up with come on at Dominion skating rink in Northern Va and we would all get on the floor.

[@allenjohnson5159]

Y'all had some good music alot of the new stuff based of trouble funk eu and essence I'm 42 but I know where it came

[@geebeeinga]

PG County kid who graduated in 84. Used to listen to Go Go all the time. Redds and the Boys, Chuck Brown…old school stuff.

[@StrongnBeautiful]

But how you get paid?? 😟

[@j.f.greaney]

I saw these guys at the old 9:30 club all of 30 years ago, I'm a white guy from Boston and I was blown away. 30 years of Gogo later, still diggin it. RIP Chuck Baby! And...PUMP PUMP PUMP ME UP!!!

[@shockyb]

To this day I still rock Troube Funk.. I love these guys. There music composition is utterly amazing. I have no idea how they come up with these arrangements.. nothing like them

[@eddiejones856]

I was at Fort Meade, Md(between DC and Baltimore)1982-83 and fell in love with GO GO music that one year I was stationed there. Was a fan of Trouble Funk.

[@jtajr]

The D.C. legends are here and they go by the name of Trouble Funk. They are doing a show, and they are tight. I highly recommend seeing them live whenever possible. They still play regularly, and they are amazing. At 25 seconds into this show, they drop the go-go bomb, and it sounds like nothing else. Superb.

[@robertallen5042]

To be in that room. Wow!!! My behavior probably would be unacceptable. NPR IS THE BOMB. ONE ON ONE WITH SOME OF THE BEST.

[@Organise_Space]

unacceptable!!!!! (lemongrab)

[@troypurnell7479]

Lol Rob Allen i feel ya!

[@jillsalkin7389]

Ha ha, with your unacceptable behavior!

[@theteamunstoppable2684]

Can’t miss with Big Tony and the crew! A DC/PG county cat now living in SoCal and crank GoGo often as I can out here! DC or nothing. Thanks for sharing. Love GoGo Mike!

[@tmko1985]

Trouble Funk was always my favorite Go-Go Band!! Still doin’ it 40 years later!! 🥁 🎹 🎺 🎤

[@rodmills737]

I'm here because of the GoGo special on TV One, I'm from Baltimore and DC is next door, i remember hearing Trouble Funk when I was a little shorty, always liked their music 🎶

[@DJMellRockwell]

I have Trouble Funk Album for a lonnnnggg time and still play it out loud up the Mountain Clubs in Switzerland!!! Thanks, looking at this make me very Happy and bring a very big Smile. Much Respect To You All

[@patrickhenry6382]

M

[@88pynogrl]

Nice! Kick up your feet, eat some Fondu, and groove in the Alps. Sounds good to me.

[@AirForceFalcons_9922]

Ain't nothing like DC's go-go music. It's our own and unique to the DMV. Listening to Trouble Funk has me thinking of the late great Godfather of go-go, the one and only Mr. Chuck Brown. He is missed so much and his memory along with go-go will live on forever.

[@pedronascimento7235]

Congratulations to the Audio Engineers: Josh Rogosin and James Willetts!!! Amazing work!

[@LJonesW213]

Yes lawd! Trouble Funk, Great musicians. DC Days!

[@SteveG123]

This is to D.C. what Tower Of Power is to Oakland. "Let's drop da Bomb" So good.

[@j.f.greaney]

Watch the Tower of Power Tiny Desk next my man. They just kill it dead.

[@jonlindsey4114]

Fam, we was bangin to Trouble Funk in Philly too, Pump me up was the SHIT!!!!!!!! DJs was playing that joint at all the block parties, and EU Freeze by Experience Unlimited too. This brings back memories for real tho.

[@lilhope421]

@@jonlindsey4114 VA. Too

[@KB-hg1xm]

I'm STILL waiting for the day GoGo becomes a searchable music genre.

[@teaminfiniti4105]

How can you not like Trouble Funk? Yeah I'm from Bmore but I appreciate a lil Go-Go myself

[@rahkriga]

Its crazy how the world, people of various nationalities LOVE funk

[@TheTilde]

Tomax , you are so right! Hi from France!

[@JohnCran]

And from Oz

[@catinthehat661]

This white boy has loved funk since I was about 15 , saw P Funk first time at 22 and I’m now 48 and still listening. Yabba Funkin’ On Baby! Stretching out in a rubber band.

[@stonelenny]

Funky compliments from Brazil! I invite you to hear Banda Black Rio. The Maria Fumaça album!

[@rahkriga]

@@stonelenny Ok...going to give it a listen...thanks!!

[@julianbranch4500]

I'm not even from DC but I always loved GoGo. Its kinda the best kept secret.

[@KMO325]

Damn, I'm homesick! I remember when you could open your window on a Saturday morning and just hear this music blasting out of folk's cars and stereos. Very D-M-V.

[@edwinjamespope8118]

Deserves a trillion views.. such incredible groovetastic magic happening here..

[@twiceborn3185]

nothing can replace live instruments. Bring back tha bands. Trouble Fun, genuine representation of funk.

[@kevinmcwilliams5362]

I've watched this Trouble Funk video so many times now. I love it every time I watch it. It stays on my playlist. Love Trouble Funk! ❤

[@martinmalker5791]

Outstanding,holy funk batman ,there's a fever in the funkhouse..I have an unbreakable smile on face.funk not only moves it also removes,the blahs.Get the funk out my face.this is as it should be.....sho nuff!whew!

[@BigBabyProductions]

How can you not like Trouble Funk?!!! Go-Go Legends!!!

[@battlegirldeb]

What these guys are still out there. I remember them from back in the 80's I'm almost 50 so most of these guys are in the mid 50's to early 60's.

[@toussantlbisso]

They've had numerous members co m e and go under various circumstances ! Reminds me of James Brown's stage shows 🏆

[@carolyndarley1045]

Yeah but Fat Tony been there from the beginning

[@emanon704]

Still doing it...yes the band is still alive and well. Big Tony and James "Doc" Avery are the only original members. However; we still tour and perform locally from time to time.

[@jenniferharding-williams1937]

Girl!! Where was they goin'???!!! 😊😊😊

[@jamescrews4192]

@@carolyndarley1045 Tony doesn't like that... Big Tony!!

[@WorldBFree-lw6wo]

I love Big Tony Fischer and Trouble Funk! This is one of the greatest live performances of all time!

[@smguy7]

Big Tony is sooooo cool.

[@b3d3g69]

THIS IS TOTALLY INSPRIING!!!! Being a DC native, growing up during that 70's, 80's GO-GO we NEVER imagined it going this far!!!! A lot of people never gave Go-Go a chance, nor the respect it deserved!!! To see it STILL GOING STRONG and more importantly, ACROSS THE POND!!!!!! Words CAN'T EXPRESS it enough!!!!!

[@sda1225]

River Terrace Park in the summertime, the battle of the bands at the Coliseum, Malcolm X Park, The Carter Barron, Masonic Temple, Cap Centre, The Atlas and doing the Happy Feet. Big Tony, Funk, Lil Benny, Sugar Bear and the Godfather himself, Chuck. When Chocolate City was REAL. Great memories.

[@heyjoejp]

It was and hasn’t been better

[@jenniferharding-williams1937]

Had to come back and listen one more time

[@KJon25]

This might be one of the best Tiny Desk ever.

[@davisdavis468]

oh, so you haven't seen the Chuck Brown one from a few years ago

[@KJon25]

Davis Davis I saw it. I loved it. That one is up there in the top 5. This TF one is is great also.

[@Thighblaster3000]

You damn right

[@Nclght]

@@KJon25 Chuck is the father but this Trouble Funk set was far superior.

[@towannataylor1105]

I agree but you gotta see Chuck and Rakim 🔥🔥 🔥

[@Bobrinsky]

I saw Trouble Funk live many times in the 1980s, and it is a real treat to hear them sounding so good in 2018. Thanks NPR, and congratulations all round.

[@brianparson543]

Trouble funk is a REAL truly talented bank.Gotta miss these guys!Rap and jazz mixed with Go Go music,you just cant beat this!I miss this!!They bring back the good ol' days!!When you see people show up and make music right there,you know thats some ****!

[@OthaBrotha1]

Mang, they sound great!!! Big Tony is still holding it down! Big up to the sound engineers, they did their JOB! GRIP IT!!!!

[@recordengin]

Crankin like crazy! Trouble funk doesn't get the credit that they deserve and has earned! One of the true pioneers of gogo! First gogo band to do a live album back in the day! That "Trouble Funk live from Washington D.C. was the joint! These guys have toured the world and gave gogo a pathway for the other gogo bands! I salute you for your accomplishments, longevity and most of all your originality!

[@michaelyette7513]

I appreciate your comment Kevin, history has tended to minimize Trouble Funk's stature in go go, but in truth in the early and mid 80s they were THE dominant go go band in DC. Then they took it worldwide. Unless you lived it, sadly you would never know that now.

[@rogerrice5325]

Absolute Legends 🤜🏾🤜🏾🤜🏾🤜🏾

[@rogerrice5325]

C’mon Mann

[@Norfeese]

Come back here regularly!

[@MarcP865]

NPR keep on blessing us ♥

[@pleidur]

I think about 100.000 of the playbacks so far are mine. Pump, pump me up!!

[@TheSunshineGroup]

Damn! What a set! No breaks, just party. Also, really cool to have that synth bass/slap bass combo. Very P-Funk

[@TheeDuhscientist]

Too Heavy!

[@karlosroberts8864]

Yup, thats why its called go-go music...I so love being a born and raised washingtonian

[@felipeguzman6499]

Thanks bass missing

[@rogernelson5563]

@@karlosroberts8864 I Can understand how u feel but no need 2 be from DC 2 feel the Go Go vibe cuz even martians feel their magic groove

[@fendi-bull8167]

Funk is like Punk Rock, Go-go is like Hardcore Punk. the extension of a base great thing. Thank god for DC music.

[@lisah9592]

Man! I lived in Baltimore for 3 years and LOVE GO-GO and House music. This was live! ❤️❤️❤️

[@etpslick100]

You COULD NOT GO TO A BLOCK PARTY IN PHILLY without playing this record! PERIOD!!! Classic funk!! What’s up TF?😌👍🏾🎶

[@rebfunk1366]

C R A N K I N'.......ITS TROUBLE, ITS TROUBLE..........Trouble Funk still sounds GREAT !!!!

[@Android-vk8yh]

Legends I played their tunes back to back on my decks in da 80-90's.... gonna dig them out again and dust of the 12's.We need A DESK IN THE UK PLEASE? NPR reeeespect

[@malvessidrums]

god damn snare drum sounding incredible, WOW

[@darkhalo0868]

I"m not from D.C. but best believe we were listening and partying to Trouble Funk back in the 80's in Dallas Texas!!!

[@davebrown9714]

👍🏾👍🏾👌🏾

[@ColletteLetshwenyo]

I funk with this so much

[@rochellerozario7131]

I totally appreciate people that know how to play actual instruments. *bows down* ase

[@d.c.4lifeking602]

you know music.D.C. stand up!!!

[@jeffreygrimes7313]

What a great powerful band the drum and keyboard wow

[@teegotgunz76]

I had a couple of their albums back n tha day. They was funky like a loaded diaper.

[@Yoel_Yasharala]

In the future, real live music (real instruments) is going to be missed. D.C. still trying to hold on to it... ..and is the greatest in the nation for that...

[@terrencegriffin6812]

absolutely,shouts out to DC

[@fawnnicole1430]

Thank you for bringing Trouble Funk, I started listening to Go-go in the 80s, when I would visit my cousin for Christmas in the DMV. I'm so glad to see them introduced to more people. Live is always the best way to listen and dance to Go-to.

[@djcoolcliff]

This group inspired me to play when I was like 3 or 4 years old 1540 AM in RVA! Changed my world and taught to hold that pocket on whatever instrument you played!!

[@hammondB3_C3Tube1]

this play is the NON STOP MUSIC! The wave with beat is continuing, continuing.

[@covertLLC]

"Go-Go" because it goes and goes, once that beat drops it don't stop.

[@bobbyagee3796]

Chet Davis (lead guitar) for Trouble Funk was like a father to me growing up. Thanks NPR

[@stevehilliard1495]

I love it , wish I was there. Outstanding musicianship!!

[@kevinstewart8876]

Great sound!

[@3alarm247]

You got a good ear Steve.

[@fishbone1145]

I love my home..DMV stand all the way up🔥💯✊🏾👊🏾👌🏾👍🏾💪🏾🙏🏾⭐️

[@myronfears1362]

I always loved Go Go Music ever since my neighborhood friend Eddie Richardson used to bring it from DC to KC every summer when we were in middle school and high school in the late 70’s and early 80’s! Trouble Funk is killing it!

[@gallenjr357]

Man!!!!!! I use to play trouble funk so much back in the day (1980) Glad to see them on Tiny Desk

[@anthonysmith905]

Trouble Funk!!!! Legends. Still Rocking Drop The Bomb after 30 plus years!!! Timeless.

[@anthonysmith905]

It's In Da Mix!! It's In Da Mix!!!!

[@leenawilliams2558]

Man I will never get tired of my African ism styled music. The percussions are like heartbeats! PUMP ME UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@allisonmaryatt5400]

That G0o-go groove is irresistible. Saw this band in NYC in the 80's. Amazing live presence. Unforgettable! So glad to see they're still at it.

[@kevinusmc1775]

This group has always put on a top notch show. Talking bout T.R.O.U.B.L.E... And I'm from South East

[@Lisa_Evers]

Of all the black folk on the planet, there is just something very special about African-Americans.... I guess it's a combination of the struggles they've been through ...combined with the opportunities we all have as American citizens...the innovation...creativity.... diversity that's found all across the US... plus the musical influence of black churches.... the overall community of other amazing black artists who all feed off each other..... Is there any other group that's quite as musically talented...diverse in their musical capabilities... who has such inner beauty....and yet, despite all the struggles black folk as a whole continue to face, somehow, they are able to overcome and produce music like this?

[@jeromebrooks7]

lisa evers wow, you said a mouth full!!!!👍🏾

[@FenceThis]

Romas, Italians , Irish, Jews , Indians , the list goes on and on and on , they've all had their struggles and they all produced excellent music and musicians and carry on to this day

[@whatsgoingon689]

That's hot 40 yrs later Trouble still can Funk it up.

[@Superstardark]

This performance was so on point, that pump it up is something you can tear the streets of vice city up to.. Best npr concert

[@emanon704]

Thanks for the love Rich

[@Superstardark]

@@emanon704 AWW MAN I'M TRIPPED OUT MAN!!!!

[@a.c.6475]

Ahh yess.....visiting my aunt and cousins in va back in the mid 80's! All I heard was this jam, along with "Let's get small" Chesapeake and Norfolk, good memories!

[@michaelmcgaughy3164]

Great that you had them one. Making me homesick. I'll have to check out the Chuck Brown set. Thanks NPR!!!

[@kennyporter7841]

WHEN I WAS A KID....I USE TO LISTEN TO TROUBLE PRACTICE IN THE BASEMENT ON LANGSTON PLACE IN SOUTH EAST....HARTFORD ST FOR LIFE

[@byrons6123]

The best go-go band ever. Thank you! 😆 👏

[@Sured70]

Indeed, the kings! So solid & chunky with the rhythm, cracking session. those horns..

[@gbFAMU]

I know some Soul Searchers who would beg to differ with that opinion. For me, I'm transported back to my days at the college on the highest of seven hills in Tallahassee, Florida. Especially "Drop the Bomb." I remember the exact party and the exact young lady.😁

[@ghostwriter1869]

Wow, I listen to T-Funk as a teen in the late 70's just to bounce and groove (pump-pump). Never knew they were Go-Go until NPR! I now understand the deep soulful funk of the band!!! WTF!! Tight!!! Nice Job!!!

[@half-elf]

They flow so seamlessly from song to song!

[@SOUND-qm1bi]

Absolutely! That's why they call it go - go. it keeps GOing.

[@jamespoe5110]

OG's of Go Go!

[@maazvdo]

Black Pearl of the Funk ! Thanks, NPR.

[@preludance]

Saw Trouble Funk in the 80's live in Amsterdam. They gave a three hour monster show! This brings back good memories. Thanks for sharing.

[@Innatelovewisdom]

Man oh man am I proud of have grown up in DC and had parents who introduced this REAL music to me. Trouble Funk is one of the best of to ever do it!!!!! This was a phenomenal set

[@kennethjohnson288]

Who dislikes this this Group is Washington D.C legend and music is funk, rock, gospel,rap and anything else 😜👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@SuperDixxxie]

Tight Af

[@anthonychatman3424]

A very Davis music come on give it to Betty Davis music going to