NPR Music is celebrating Black Music Month with an array of brand new Tiny Desk concerts. Together, these artists represent the past, present and future of Black music. This month of carefully curated shows is a celebration of Black artists expressing themselves in ways we’ve never seen before, and of the Tiny Desk’s unique way of showcasing that talent.
Bobby Carter | June 5, 2023
Charlie Wilson’s Tiny Desk unexpectedly ran the gamut of emotions. His musical journey boasts some of the highest highs and fanfare for over 50 years. So much so, it’s easy to forget what he’s endured. His testimonial during a praise break reminded us that he’s climbed through valleys about as deep as they get. “I went from rags to riches, riches to rags, then rags to the curb, the curb to homeless,“ he said. “Because I was an alcoholic and a crack cocaine addict! But I’m 28 years clean and sober!“
Flanked by a host of musicians, Wilson expressed the depth and breadth of his life and career, telling a tale of two Charlies. The Oklahoma native’s success with The Gap Band, formed with his brothers Robert and Ronnie, began in the 1970s and stretched throughout the ’80s. The group’s many hits are classified as old-school funk and R&B, but it’s the resurrection and connection with young hip-hop stars that make Charlie’s story so compelling to me.
Snoop Dogg was the first to hop on board, coining him “Uncle Charlie“ and featuring him on his second LP, Tha Doggfather in 1996. They’ve been frequent collaborators since, eventually landing the smash, “Beautiful,“ a few years later. From Kanye West to Tyler, The Creator, Nas, and more recently Don Toliver and Devin Morrison, Wilson has been hip-hop’s secret sauce for decades. When I asked Uncle Charlie to explain the reason why he’s such a draw in hip-hop, he said so much by simply stating: “I can sang!“
SET LIST
“Charlie, Last Name Wilson“
“Computer Love“
“There Goes My Baby“
“I’m Blessed“
“Yearning For Your Love“
“Sweet Yamz“
“Outstanding“
MUSICIANS
Charlie Wilson: vocals
Jor’el Quinn: vocals
Leah Thompson: vocals
Gia Wyre: vocals
Dodie: vocals
Angel Hines: vocals
Cordell Walton: keys, music director
Rain Man: drums
Alex Williams: guitar
Stephen Johnson: keys
Lawrence Washington: keys, bass
EQ: bass
Nick Wilczynski: saxophone
TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Bobby Carter
Director/Editor: Joshua Bryant
Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Creative Director: Bob Boilen
Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Kara Frame, Sofia Seidel, Alanté Serene
Audio Assistant: Hannah Gluvna
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Maia Stern, Hazel Cills
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann
#tinydesk #nprmusic #charliewilson
1 view
145
33
5 months ago 00:01:17 1
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE | Official Teaser Trailer
5 months ago 00:18:53 1
What If We Live in a Superdeterministic Universe?
5 months ago 00:03:50 1
정국 (Jung Kook), USHER ‘Standing Next to You - USHER Remix’ Official Performance Video
5 months ago 01:27:37 1
Swing The Best Of Big Bands
6 months ago 00:01:38 1
DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN – First Look Trailer (2024) Charlie Cox, Jon Bernthal | Disney+
6 months ago 00:05:21 1
You Turn My Life Around
6 months ago 00:03:46 1
My Guarantee
6 months ago 00:05:03 1
Let’s Chill
6 months ago 00:03:13 1
One Time (Main Version)
6 months ago 00:04:19 1
Back To Love (Main Version)
6 months ago 00:03:04 1
Shawty Come Back (Main Version)
6 months ago 00:04:17 1
Can’t Live Without You (Main Version)
6 months ago 00:03:46 1
Snoop Dogg - R U A Freak
6 months ago 00:04:34 1
Jackson Wang - Come Alive (Official Music Video)
6 months ago 00:04:44 1
Tyler, The Creator - EARFQUAKE / NEW MAGIC WAND (Live at the 2020 GRAMMYs)
6 months ago 00:03:47 1
Whisper
6 months ago 00:03:39 1
Oooh Wee
6 months ago 00:04:00 1
My Baby
6 months ago 00:03:51 1
Show You
6 months ago 00:03:53 1
A Million Ways to Love You
6 months ago 00:01:30 4
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE - Official Teaser Trailer - Warner Bros. UK & Ireland
6 months ago 00:03:27 1
Charlie Wilson’s War (8/9) Movie CLIP - Anti-Helicopter Light Missile (2007) HD
6 months ago 00:09:10 2
Geoengineering: A Horrible Idea We Might Have to Do