Tiny Desk Meets SXSW: DUCKWRTH

Every year, NPR Music participates in the SXSW music festival, whether it's curating a stage or simply attending hundreds of shows at the annual event in Austin, Texas. Last year, the festival was canceled due to the pandemic, but it returned this March as an online festival. We programmed a 'stage' of Tiny Desk (home) concerts and presented them on the final day of the festival. Now, we present to you Tiny Desk Meets SXSW: four videos filmed in various locations, all of them full of surprises.
Bobby Carter | April 7, 2021
DUCKWRTH decided to do something special for Tiny Desk Meets SXSW: brand new music. "Welcome to my Tiny Desk," he says. "We are gonna play some new songs for y'all if that's OK. Y'all ain't got no choice!"
The dynamic R&B singer proceeded to debut two exclusives: a slow jam titled "make u go," which he dedicates to the "lovers and freaks," and the upbeat "Birthday Suit," which KCRW astutely compared to Estelle's "American Boy."
The new material wasn't the only thing that made this Tiny Desk such a treat. For this funky and flamboyant performance, DUCKWRTH dressed his backing band entirely in white and switched up the lighting for each song so that the hue matched the mood he was laying down.
DUCKWRTH has long been a creative soul. He spoke with NPR in 2019 about growing up in a Pentecostal household in South Central Los Angeles, and how those two worlds helped shape his journeys between R&B and West Coast G-funk.
SET LIST
"Kiss U Right Now"
"make u go"
"Birthday Suit"
"Super Good"
MUSICIANS
DUCKWRTH: vocals
Justin "Jhawk" Hawkins: guitar
Darryl Staves Jr.: drums
Solomon "Solo" Smith: bass
Devin Smith: keys
Amber Olivia Kiner: vocals
Olivia Walker: vocals
CREDITS
Video: BT Studios, Jonathan Salmon, Lopes
Audio: Lucas Palmieri
Mixed by: Josh Rogosin
Creative Director - Abdi Ibrahim
Director of Photography - Adam Linssen
Special Thanks: Beehive Studios
TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Bobby Carter
Video Producer: Maia Stern
Audio Mastering: Josh Rogosin
Associate Producer: Bobby Carter
Tiny Production Team: Bob Boilen, Kara Frame
Executive Producer: Lauren Onkey
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann
#nprmusic #tinydesk #DUCKWRTH

[@adwoay2403]

Ugh the way his album flew under the radar last year 😭😭

[@rachelellsmore1791]

And it was one of the best of the year!!!

[@treehouseonthehill]

so true...was one of my most played albums all the way through last year

[@adriennep927]

LITERALLYYYYY!!! Definitely my favorite of 2020

[@Irose_YTBE]

Him and Leven Kali had the best albums of 2020 and no one talked about it

[@cheykesegames4713]

Album was crazy

[@XxQueenChristinaxX]

Love seeing DUCKWRTH receive more recognition as a versatile artist.

[@basillyhoe]

Kilo Kish? niiiice

[@Charlie-cv4un]

I see you every comment section LOL

[@XxQueenChristinaxX]

@@Charlie-cv4un I get that a lot.

[@chioma916]

ayeee !! haven’t seen u in the comments of videos i’ve watched in a minute. ur like a quality check

[@FedezPU]

He definitely deserve it. Outstanding artist

[@NelliG22]

The backup vocalist ladies were so good

[@quaidnichols5883]

You might even say super good... Sorry I’ll stop

[@znayJ]

@johnry Osano Yes sir, I mean this

[@paolopessot2531]

Can we all agree that "Supergood" (song and album) is a whole mood?

[@makeybacharles1124]

ABSOLUTELY!

[@mastermlee]

And super bounce

[@RASE6678]

DUCKWRTH FINALLY GOT A TINY DESK LETS GOOOO SO PROUD

[@lilianl5331]

LITERALLY SO PROUD OF DUCKWRTH

[@y.k.9705]

Me too. Literally standing in front of a microphone and sing-talking. I have shivers

[@LookitsTook]

6:32 That high note live in my head rent free.

[@PentameronSV]

0:05 - *Kiss U Right Now* (3:14) 3:20 - *make u go* (7:01) 7:03 - *Birthday Suit* (9:56 / 10:01) [10:29] - *Super Good* [14:12 - Tiny Desk team]

[@desireemarshall5286]

thank you

[@ninalong1347]

He simply just makes REAL feel-good music. I love DUCKWRTH so much

[@alimarie5856]

Bass player during “birthday suit” is a whole mood

[@jennyneon]

For a Tiny Desk, they sure make huge videos in terms of quality.

[@akila094]

he’s such a gem

[@y.k.9705]

Uncut you mean.

[@felixhernandezromero3113]

Bass player is grooving it so hard.

[@simonh306]

I don't want to spoil Duckwrth for the younger generation but I am a pensioner and have just stumbled upon him/them. Terrific, dutiful and clever - impressive stuff

[@darockmusic2496]

He's so good and he knows it

[@L.MicheleB]

He's a Free Spirit!😊 Very VERY nice! Love them ALL!

[@mrbreede]

First time listening to this band great. Tiny Desks are amazing. WE NEED ALBUM/EPS OF TINY DESK CONCERTS COME ONE PLEASE

[@chappahx]

Bassman feeling himself and the bass is as tall as he is. I kid. I kid. I'm a fellow short man. Excellent musicians.

[@cheyennehelberg5498]

I mean, he came through with his music and it's brand new unreleased stuff too?! The whole set was fire, from the vocals to the instrumentals esp that bass...

[@syn7426]

🥰 when your favorite song is the first one to come on

[@tharealnytro69]

Happy for DUCKWRTH and how far he's come. This is a beautiful set. Band, stage, lighting and obviously amazing music by lead and backing.

[@patsyjohnson2064]

Smooth groove for sure. The drummer was killing it.

[@g.smothers7067]

He's a beast!

[@frickndewey]

yes. this is it. i can die now

[@y.k.9705]

Yes now I feel my life is complete. Talking into a microphone like that. Who can accomplish such a task?

[@ronniemack4831]

Please don't. The world needs you

[@rihnavythang]

"make u go" is the song he teased on that lil short docu earlier this year ahhhhh drop it

[@5050TM]

It's so nice!

[@amandafeliciano542]

He right, Birthday Suit is morning music, made my drive to work so fun lol

[@bayareaknight4814]

Prince like lyrically. This for the mature and thinking folk. Thanks NPR.

[@justintandries]

One of the most underrated artists out there man

[@sarahevangelista7624]

SO PROUD OF DUCKWRTH!!!! can’t wait for him to take over the world

[@sameez.8790]

I’m sooooooooooo happy he is getting some recognition!! 😭 His album was dope!! The little visual clips were dope aswell 🥰

[@diimmortales]

what a blessing to stumble across today!

[@diimmortales]

i heard from the other room that the production was different, ran in the room and NOT DISAPPOINTED

[@rudegirlmon]

This is magic. It’s 2 am & I’m in love 🙌🏽

[@kamotshabalala9928]

sameeeeee

[@paulamcallisterph]

It's 3am right now, and feeling the same

[@majo.7797]

this is now the tiny desk concert i will be listening to 24/7

[@ariellemroberts]

that bassist was GROOVIN

[@samykee6662]

The best 15 minutes in ages. I danced, laughed and cried. It was just unbelievably great! Thank you for that. Best regards from Germany

[@rylands4289]

Duckwrth deserves all the attention he gets

[@area201soprano]

Great to see this Duckwrth on tiny desk. He definitely made an impression on tiny desk . Heard his music before but live he put on an amazing performance

[@illryt]

Wow that made me want to EXPLODE into to dance, need I say, Super Good? That BASSIST THO!

[@JacxNKay_]

Absolutely love “Kiss U Right Now”. Always 💛✨

[@lakeishamckenzie4707]

Such a treat!! I’ve been loving him so hard lately!!

[@MelBeez]

So proud of Duckwrth, been a fan since Bernal Heights 😭

[@PhatsimoMosimanegape]

From BW🇧🇼 I'm glad I bumped into this on a Sunday afternoon 🙌💕

[@sarahkateh6639]

The dance. THE dance. Always making me feel suuuuuper good

[@arvindale]

this man needs to be famous, its criminal that he isn’t getting more attention... this is amazing ❤️

[@MrBrett2994]

Here for the background vocalists!!

[@WinniesJournal]

Duckwrth!😍 he’s an amazing artist and I’m so glad that he has gotten more exposure in the last few years

[@charlotteyoung1102]

Wish we could get the live versions on Spotify:(

[@EWreckWright91]

Nah fr That's why I come on here

[@cindyellow1435]

this whole video from start to finish is such a transcendent experience

[@ale3xandria]

Love you Duckie, so proud of how far you've come! Much love King

[@FASHIONVOID]

I am enjoying this on many levels!

[@KugiPanchi]

I'm so happy to see him in here. His last Album really is supergood 😉

[@serenfeels]

WE LOVE YOU DUCKWRTHHH !!! So proud wow 😭💓👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@galatorres8065]

Ducky 🔥 always innovating. Absolutely love his vibe and his new songs. He deserves all the recognition ❤️

[@anjoortiz1]

Pffff... this is TIGHT!! Opening song 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@justhis_acrm]

He deserves so much he’s incredible

[@onedaymb]

i didn't know i needed birthday suit in my life till i heard this sweet vibe

[@akila094]

ayo the colour changes>>>

[@qundracollins588]

AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING!!! Just discovered a new greattttt artist!!!

[@rafaelas405]

THE TALENT, THE VIBE! I LOVE THIS MAN!

[@kobelamasoga5517]

This DUCKWRTH Tiny Desk is so Supergood!! ❤️

[@oceane4904]

This tiny desk is supergood 🙃

[@noissues5439]

ctfu nice one

[@olgapidzamkiv8310]

We need more of him in everyday life!

[@timeclock5771]

The background singers is a show all by themselves. Never heard of this guy but I love the music!

[@aubergine777666]

Remembering him from team backpack. What a journey he made!

[@biancavr3024]

I wish I had the words to explain how much I love this. This is why my heart is so devoted to music, this is truly magical.

[@taehyungoppa7208]

My man deserves more recognition his voice is just wow 😲😳 Also the backup singers are eating this up

[@Toastedtapas]

DUCKY!!!! making fans proud since forever!

[@christinetsotetsi9837]

I’m in awe! He took all these songs to another level! 🔥 shuuu immaculate !!!

[@nicolewilson4058]

This is great! Duckwrth has come a long way. Love his look too!

[@umvemnyama]

This album is sooo good!!!!! Happy to see this happening for the bro

[@thomasbarouti2234]

Good vibe ! Amazing ! Thank you !

[@valerysanchez]

I love this man.

[@revolutionnow674]

No conocía esto, buenísimo, nuevamente MUCHAS GRACIAS Tiny Desk por regalarnos esto 🙏💚 La pandemia y la cuarentena no hubieran sido lo mismo sin toda esta hermosa música que nos compartieron, GRACIAS!!

[@lamonth9019]

the best way to describe this: SUPER GOOD! 👍🏾 👍🏾

[@migi9358]

this dude is so underrated

[@BeautifulEarthJa]

ooooooooooooooh. just that smooth start.

[@emerjade]

This doesn’t have enough views for me. He’s so (SUPER) good gahdamn!!!

[@georgepapadakis7079]

So talented.

[@makeybacharles1124]

I LOVE DUCKWRTH!!!!

[@CremedelaRay]

YAYYY!!! Didn't expect to see this when I woke up.

[@alexthoburn1916]

This is a whole entire vibe!

[@tii865]

I love the vibe

[@Brian-ke8gb]

I want to take a date to a DUCKWRTH concert and I’ll make sure to bring my dancing shoes👞✨ 💗💫

[@sergie_klashnokov]

I love his voice and his flow

[@laurasalia]

YOUUUUU GOT ME SO GOOOOD !! ❤❤❤🥵🥵😭

[@cheyzah]

love u king can’t wait to c u live some day in sf💚

[@jbeauchan8212]

YES! Give this artist the attention he deserves!

[@kosmojazz]

I fell in love with DUCKWRTHs music immediately when I've heard his album - SG8

[@sandraschools79]

You guys rocked my morning so hard:) can't wait to fall down the Duckhole later!

[@TorressvsTyler]

You are a inspiration keep it up ducky!

[@jackmoore6174]

DUCKWRTH puts on such a good show live!

[@psneale67]

Wonderful as usual.

[@ilke3298]

I can't wait to see more of him. He really is a great artist, I count myself lucky to know him and his music

[@abadira]

I need all these new tracks YESTERDAY

[@relativelybasic]

duckwrth and 6LACK gonna be killer if they ever drop an album.

[@Chiggianya]

They’re all such talented artists!

[@siwem.5277]

Ahhhh I'm so excited for this!!

[@polbank1]

It is very pleasant to listen to Great music and a well-coordinated team Greetings from Poland

[@foxccc7517]

This the flow im on Smoothest vibrations

[@jamesonrodriguesandrade8953]

I did not get chills watching this you did!!!!!