Mereba: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert
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Watch Mereba play "Black Truck", "Stay Tru", "Dodging The Devil" and "Kinfolk" at the Tiny Desk.
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Dec 2, 2019 | Rodney Carmichael -- Very few artists get to return to the Tiny Desk, and fewer still return twice in the same year. But after contributing background vocals behind the desk for Dreamville artist Bas in early 2019, we invited Mereba back for a solo set that puts her eclectic, major-label debut The Jungle Is The Only Way Out into sharp focus.
"I'm so excited to be here with you guys," she said one song into a set that features the multi-instrumentalist alternating between keys and guitar. "Wow. Dreams coming true."
The stripped-down soundscape Mereba achieves live with her four-piece band is equally dreamlike here, drawing from influences as wide-ranging as the many places she's called home (Alabama, Philly, North Carolina, Atlanta, Ethiopia). As she pulls from genres as seemingly disparate as folk, rap and spoken word, her set reflects the years she spent perfecting her craft on live stages in Atlanta cafes and clubs, where she attracted the attention of the indie creative collective Spillage Village (EarthGang, J.I.D, 6lack) before joining them in 2014.
But it's under the main spotlight that Mereba shines best, with her gift for lyrical storytelling putting her centerstage where the devil himself couldn't cast doubt on her dreams.
SET LIST
"Black Truck"
"Stay Tru"
"Dodging The Devil"
"Kinfolk"
MUSICIANS
Mereba: vocals, guitar; Sam Hoffman: guitar, bass; Chris James: bass; Aisha Gaillard: drums; Olivia Walker: vocals
CREDITS
Producers: Rodney Carmichael, Bobby Carter, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Maia Stern, Tsering Bista, Jack Corbett; Executive Producer: Lauren Onkey; VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann; Photo: Mhari Shaw/NPR
Пікірлер: 924
Tiny desk keep their ear on that true pulse of music.
@senoracheapee1864
4 жыл бұрын
yass! always introducing me to artists I've never heard of
@ashleybriel8786
4 жыл бұрын
TimmWith2Ms Nothing but the truth. I love it.
@slady7072
4 жыл бұрын
TimmWith2Ms they sure do!!
@tamaraaispuro6976
4 жыл бұрын
Yeees
@TheNervousnation
4 жыл бұрын
If you cannot preform it live, you in the wrong house my guy.
I’m glad Mereba is getting her recognition, she’s been fire from the jump 🔥 The Jungle Is The Only Way Out is a phenomenal piece of work
@kevinsimaomassingue9442
4 жыл бұрын
Preach! It gets better with every play, she was outstanding from the first to last track and I can't wait to see her conquer the industry one beautiful crafted piece of music at a time
@ulisesleon4340
4 жыл бұрын
Facts!!!!!
@jtw2112
4 жыл бұрын
one of the best albums of 2019!
@JessePlautz
4 жыл бұрын
This woman brings tears of joy to my eyes.
@allysonperry1740
3 жыл бұрын
I love her style
she has PRESENCE. voice, musicianship, poetry, and beauty.
"Don't plant a seed in your mind if you do not wish to grow it"💯👏
@chiebert290
4 жыл бұрын
What a brilliant line! Tattoo worthy.
@brielle9336
4 жыл бұрын
No Regrets Baby Just Good Vibes Over Here Ty🙏🏾
@Nicole-ww4lg
3 жыл бұрын
Basically buddhism in a nutshell
Mereba got such an intimate relationship with her own music. It meets her where she made it. I think we'd ever barely comprehend as listeners.
Her album was the soundtrack to one of my hardest points in life this year. I found her a week before I lost my first love suddenly. And her music helped me through and gave me peace. This is well deserved.
@halfpastfashion5474
4 жыл бұрын
Sending you light and strength girl I lost my first love in a car crash and music got me through it. The pain will never subside but it will get easier to carry it around! ❤️
@TygaTakesTheTime
4 жыл бұрын
Half Past Fashion Thankyou for the kind words. sending you love also. It definitely doesn’t subside.
@william4661
4 жыл бұрын
Bless you.
@abundantsunflower1107
3 жыл бұрын
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
@marcus.6487
3 жыл бұрын
✊🏿™️
i love the backup singer's voice and energy!
@oliviawalker5
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you!!!!!! Check me out!!! xoxo
@emilioguzmanalvarez420
4 жыл бұрын
@@oliviawalker5 you guys take the time to respond to our comments thats so cuteeeeeeeeee
@FrequencyDojo
4 жыл бұрын
She's awsome
@OlObuffalo
4 жыл бұрын
@@oliviawalker5 subscribed. waiting to hear more
@oliviawalker5
4 жыл бұрын
@@OlObuffalo thank you!
she's too dope..one of my best musical discoveries of 2019
@emilioguzmanalvarez420
4 жыл бұрын
sameeeeeee
@tramainechapman8289
4 жыл бұрын
Yassssssssssss I'm so fortunate she was discovered
just learning about Mereba, will definitely listen more. also looked up here drummer (Aisha Gaillard), because you don't see many black female drummers. keeping an eye on her too. Good Job Lady's!
@aishagdrums
4 жыл бұрын
nplovingham wow you’re so right! I really appreciate that :) I love Mereba for having me on this concert. Women empowerment is so important!
@jeffheikes5968
3 жыл бұрын
Ha! That is exactly what I was doing. All of this is so good!
@noxolonoxmtolo2959
3 жыл бұрын
@@aishagdrums 1 year later and You truly rocked it😍🥁💖. ..sending my love all the way from the Motherland, South Africa 💖
Gorgeous Music. Her skin looks UNREAL! My edges grew just by listening to this. Thank you NPR ❤️ sending love and blessings from Sunny South Africa 🇿🇦
@tropicalmk3519
4 жыл бұрын
🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦
@nds5796
4 жыл бұрын
Lol me too
@jd-tc9ji
3 жыл бұрын
Haibo, not the edges. You are hilarious! She does glow in the dark
@rethabilemosia8200
3 жыл бұрын
🇿🇦🇿🇦👌
@yourgirl_dearshney
3 жыл бұрын
She looks gorgeous 😍❤️
I swear her music has healing/restorative properties. This is so beautiful
This girl is special! She's not trying to fit into a category. She's just coming from the heart! She's beautiful too! (Inside and out!)
Loving the female drummer ❤️
@aishagdrums
4 жыл бұрын
Emmanuel Ololo Awww thank you! :)
@MutindiTindi
4 жыл бұрын
@@aishagdrums you're amazing❤
@earthangelashley
4 жыл бұрын
@@aishagdrums you are so mesmerizing! just back there vibing ;-)
@aishagdrums
4 жыл бұрын
earth angel ashley Aww thanks love!
@aishagdrums
4 жыл бұрын
Mutindi Muasa I really appreciate that!
she got bars this woman can you imagine this is the first i've heard of her wow mind blown.
@ezmunny
4 жыл бұрын
i got to see her open for jid live, truly beautiful performance :D
@zamokwakhesishi6528
4 жыл бұрын
@@ezmunny difficult to find musicians these days it's all just falks that can harmonise that get passes off as people that can sing or artists
@jtw2112
4 жыл бұрын
spillage village baby
@eboogieellison6004
4 жыл бұрын
You've been blessed
Word to that "broken people ain't always the brokest" people are quick to believe money fixes everything,
@shootonsiteentertainmentda2415
4 жыл бұрын
Jasz Mathurin this is the best statement I ever heard in my life 🙏🏽
I've watched this about 200 times. "Black Truck" and "Dodging the Devil" touch my soul.
The energy is so organic to the point you just start smiling as if you’re in the same room with her 😩
This was EXCEPTIONAL!! This is one of the best Tiny Desks I've seen. Plus she's just so gorgeous. I'm so mesmerised by her
@jonesy8457
4 жыл бұрын
Namhla Sithole no lie no lie
@thategon
4 жыл бұрын
You didn't lie 😭
@shoebox256
10 ай бұрын
Hey Sis, I still come back to this years later. Love you.💛Ntombi
Collectively and individually her band looks like the most amazing, interesting, loyal friends ever.
@earthangelashley
4 жыл бұрын
just perfect.
@oliviawalker5
4 жыл бұрын
We all saw this comment and gushed over your kind words. we are indeed loyal friends and its so beautiful that you picked up on that!
First of all QUEEN.. you're golden! Second of all QUEEN you sound like the magic you bring to this world.
Black Truck is how I found her and never turned back. This is beautiful. 💗
@bean1944
4 жыл бұрын
Same
@Demsky83
4 жыл бұрын
I found her through sandstorm. Been riding ever since
@SheKeepsPassinMeBy
4 жыл бұрын
@@Demsky83 Love that song.
@rouxquier6578
4 жыл бұрын
As they say Once you go Black you never go back
I've been through the fire I felt embers down my spine And I've said "World would you please have some mercy on me? Or could you please lift the curses on me?" I said, you always did Like it the hard way since you was a kid Look at the scars on your leg, you know You keep choosing the wild road Ooh, I'm not sorry Stay sick cause I follow my gut They say I was pushing my luck Ima push me a matte all black truck No, I'm not sorry Stay sick cause I follow my gut They say I was pushing my luck Ima push me a all black truck Ima push me a all black truck Ima push me a matte all- I been through the storm I heard thunder in my heart And I've said "World would you please shine a light up on me? Or would you show me a sign you love me?" I said, you always did Like it the hard way since you was a kid Time after time, again You keep the choosing the wild road
Homie on the electric violin though 🔥
@oliviawalker5
4 жыл бұрын
Chris Hellastrings Check him out!! Theres a whole project on soundcloud
@flofearless9173
4 жыл бұрын
Bruh...that violin set the tone. Had the stank face when I heard it with immediate goosebumps 😂
@cameronwilson3577
4 жыл бұрын
@@flofearless9173 right?? Dude is mad talented.
Her tone is as fine as her complexion.
@desireeesposito6496
3 жыл бұрын
I Like That
Black Truck does things to me
@koketsok7391
4 жыл бұрын
I find my inner peace with her woo note
@jescuz1
3 жыл бұрын
Absolute same.
Impressive vocal range and lyrical ability~ The diversity of skills showcased during this performance is amazing. Different vocal styles, poetry, rapping, keyboard, guitar or whatever Backup singer is on point and both guys are good but Chris is crazy with the violin.
@oliviawalker5
4 жыл бұрын
thank you!!!!!! check me out! the whole fam is amazing!!
Her voice is enchanting, and the poetryyyy 💜💜
I'm so in love with mereba, her energy is amazing
Mereba is CRIMINALLY underrated.
That poem was everything I needed but didn't know
@ayonnazglam9050
3 жыл бұрын
facts!
That guitar hit me long before anyone opened their lips 🥰😍
Finally the queen has a chance to come through!
What she does is so phenomenal. From her energy, to her voice, to her lyrics, and the music... this was a great pick for tiny desk.
Wow. She's like the love child of Lauryn Hill and Alanis Morissette.
@Waysofmanly
4 жыл бұрын
Good call you hit it on the head
@senoracheapee1864
4 жыл бұрын
spot on
@connoisseur14
4 жыл бұрын
Yes, totally agree. She's Dope
@sacredlady.
4 жыл бұрын
That's what I was thinking, plus Tracy Chapman. 😁
@dreamville7423
4 жыл бұрын
When she just hitting that poem my mind went to young Ms Hill
Omg yessss never clicked on a Tiny Desk so fast
@tumiintholeng7112
4 жыл бұрын
Same!!!
@beezysane
Ай бұрын
nah cause me too.
Her voice is so. Boom. Like, when she goes into rapping she's just so, like, in her power. I don't know how to describe it. I'm just in awe.
I love her music. As I began to hear her music, it placed me sitting on the top of a mountain looking out over the canvas of earth and life until I feel backwards to the earth. When my back connected to it, the dust stirred, my eyes opened to the heavens and I was captivated by wholeness. The background singer and band is fantastic. Drummer - Black Girl Rock.
@oliviawalker5
4 жыл бұрын
wow... these words.. thank you Queen!!!
@alaynahester9476
4 жыл бұрын
Sister Phyllis wow amazing description
I'm SCCCRRRREEEEEAAAAMING! Samthandi! I loooove her!
@nqobilemkwanazi7617
4 жыл бұрын
That's why we share a surname ❤️
@ndzohugo9715
4 жыл бұрын
Simthanda sonke❤
@Bonakele22
4 жыл бұрын
Sonke siyamthanda, she's amazing ♥️
@tropicalmk3519
4 жыл бұрын
She is everything man yohhh🙌🏾😍 it's nice to see South Africans hop onto her music🙌🏾🔥🔥
@phumelelemayeni2185
3 жыл бұрын
I'm glad I'm not the only one in S.A who's mad hyped by her😍
Love this!!!! really wish she done sandstorm tooo
@farrisdurrani6269
4 жыл бұрын
wouldnt be good without JID tho
@surprisemonyai3059
4 жыл бұрын
@@farrisdurrani6269 I looove me some JID but I honestly think she would've still killed it without him. She's a great artist
@farrisdurrani6269
4 жыл бұрын
Still they have a back and forth part between Mereba and JID. That's what makes the song great. Mereba is still awesome
@thatsseauxnish_
4 жыл бұрын
Yes! My favorite song. 💕
@ashaylacalvin7636
4 жыл бұрын
Yessss I love that song 💗
it’s June of 2023 now and I found “Stay True” just a few days ago after listening to “Sandstorm” for months. I love that I can scroll through through this channel, find, & appreciate these gems of live performances of some of my favorite songs. Hearing this music live is so so special
LOOK AT AISHAAAAA! SHOUTOUT TO THE DRUMMER GYAL
@aishagdrums
4 жыл бұрын
Alexis Verday aww thanks love!
The Jungle IS The Only Way Out is the best album of 2019, she needs more recognition like this
Her album is a VIBE. SO HAPPY they got her on here. When she gets on tour, I'm in there!
Her voice is so soothing 🥺
She's so cool. She seems so intune with herself ❤️❤️
It's literally 5 AM but I don't care. I LOVE MEREBA!! 😍😍😍💜
@shootonsiteentertainmentda2415
4 жыл бұрын
serenity6831 it’s 6:33 right now idc with lol
I love her voice. Not just singing but just her voice period. So smooth, easy, and strong.
I need her skincare routine like now.
@December_baby04
4 жыл бұрын
Maya Pelichet genetics 😭
@TheQueenlafaty
4 жыл бұрын
Me too :)
@sabietabby6773
4 жыл бұрын
Girl I swear!
@ipaline
4 жыл бұрын
Sorry... genetics 😊😊😊
@michellemann6362
4 жыл бұрын
Right....
She is just present when she sings, there's so much realness any time she's on it.
Tone. Skin. Braids. Color. Words. Band. Dope af 🔥
She is such an ethereal beauty with a lovely and unique voice.
Bruh I’m so happy for Mereba she’s so amazing and everyone needs to know!!
So happy for this set. I love her vibe musically and naturally. 😍😍😻
Thats exactly how i sing "Stay Tru" 2 glasses of wine deep
@user-em4ox7rw8g
3 жыл бұрын
🍷 😩😂yup
@schiomchio
3 жыл бұрын
Right??? Lol I love that she emphasizes her lyrics bc they really hit. Literally how I sing it frl!!
@prettyhamburger6462
3 жыл бұрын
Haha!
@moniquabrown3959
2 жыл бұрын
Always❤️✨😂
loved mereba since I heard STAY TRU. always saw a lil her in j.i.d but I never knew she had some j.i.d in her lol (she can spit!!!!!!)
@sinendlovu6237
3 жыл бұрын
And dude on the violin thingy whooooaaa mesmerized by every note 🙆🏾♀️
Mereba touched my soul💜
And she opened with Blacktruck😭❤ everything about this performance is incredible. The guitar, her skin, her flow, nothing short of amazing... Simply perfect; also S/O Insecure.
Giant sigh of relief after seeing her do vocals for Bas and his Tiny Desk that she was able to do her own love mood music and she definitely is a big mood!
She's so soulful and her music so spiritual. I just feel like she *knows* things (teach me sis! 😭). Such a vibe! ❣
I got to see her live now! So proud of you Mereba. Best click I've made all 2019
She’s so worth seeing live! I saw her in a small crowd while everyone else went to go see usher perform, and I know I didn’t miss out on anything 🧡
Baby!!!! Her background vocalist went clean tf off!!!! She can sang!!!!!
I wanna hear Kinfolk in a new black western. That would be fire. You killed it!
@oliviawalker5
4 жыл бұрын
youre a visionary
Seriously my whole life soundtrack of 2019. I love her dearly. So happy for her!
That first performance alone...oh my gosh, she has never stopped impressing me from the day I was lucky enough to find the visual of her album here on youtube. I'm so gratfeul she is making her art. It feels like its speaking directly to me.
oh my god, I love Mereba so much. She's a complete treasure.
NPR once again you did the things. Thanks for bringing in such awesome artists.
Please lift the curse on me- when I found this brilliance, I felt my curse lifted.
Perfect playing band, Mereba good performance👏.
She is truly a beautiful yet articulate artist in this day in age. Her voice and tone is truly unique yet her words are poetry. Thank you Tiny Desk for blessing your viewers with this beautiful talented women 🙏🏽 love her ❤️
Tiny Desk always uploads when its 1am here in Alaska, but its worth it for stuff like this
@JEM3
4 жыл бұрын
5am here and it's so worth it! 😊
@monisolaelliott9346
4 жыл бұрын
I'm from Anchorage. I miss Alaska.
Words can't explain the feeling her music gives me!! 😍
I really appreciate how close she was to the mic
I- she is so beautiful.This whole performance is so beautiful
Cant believe I'll be seeing her live for the first time next week!!!
Fresh sound & I love that these desk productions draw attention to all the amazing band musicians out there.
The violin on “Stay True” put me in such a nice vibe...!
@oliviawalker5
4 жыл бұрын
Check out his original version of the song on soundcloud, Chris Hellastrings, its called MAMA
Her skin and tone are flawless.
Seeing her tomorrow, cannot wait to bask in her glory
This was REAL nice to wake up to.
She is beautiful from inside out and her album is a true blessing for my soul.
Whole band crushed it, shoutout to tha Juice Joint fam!
stay tru is such an underrated bop
Great Performance by Mereba.
She’s a real one and her pen is something else 💕
So blessed by this performance,Mereba is a phenomenal,true,badass artist ! Saw her live at Baby’s Alright in NYC earlier this year too thank you tiny desk for showcasing true gems 💕
this woman is so beautiful. not just her appearance, but her energy and musicality is unreal. she calms me and makes me feel like everything will be okay. how people acquire this level of artistry and confidence will always amaze me.
Love seeing more of Spillage Village on here
I like this. Above all I love that plain major seventh chords at the beginning of the second track and ensuing singing by her. It reminds me of something I dreamt when I was a kid. Major seventh chord got some beautiful soul within. I noticed her diverged taste and that added icing.
She really has a soul that shines bright through the music she creates... It's amazing...
I keep coming back to this Tiny Desk. One of the real raw ones!
I clicked because I thought she looked absolutely beautiful in the thumbnail. I stayed because her voice is so mesmerizing; energy is just so pure; her words are like honey: they stick but it would go over your head if you aren’t paying attention ✨✨✨💕
I CRIED JESUS TEARS WHEN SHE SANG STAY TRU 😭😭😭 THIS SONG HELPED ME KEEP MY HEADSTRONG DURING A STORM 🥺 excuse the pun
she’s so 🔥
Man everybody that’s behind her is awesome fr omg and the guy on the violin flipping got me 😮 Mereba voice is so beautiful but see that stay true that was my favorite performance dude on the violin man.. sold it for me loved that performance
I've been looking for my lost friend..'Chris' and I just found him in this video. Wow...not surprised. We used to jam in Norfolk. A true natural talent. Great band and SANger.
this is actually amazing i’m so mesmerized by her and this performance. love!
The dopest Ethiopian.
She (they) killed this. Hands down, my top 5 Tiny Desk Concert! To Tiny Desk: Sohn AALEGRA next please
that microphone is amazing. i almost can´t grasp how good this sounds for a live recording...madness...