Kehlani: Tiny Desk Concert
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Published 2024-07-31
When I first heard Kehlani’s debut mixtape, it was a comfort that reminded me of home. The proud Oakland, Calif. native was 19 years old when that project dropped, and so was I. The tracklist was exactly what I needed as a new Washington, D.C. transplant, thousands of miles away from all of my loved ones in the Bay Area. Over the past decade I’ve followed Kehlani along their journey, growing with them as we both experienced young adulthood. Vulnerability is their superpower, and that power was put to the test at the Tiny Desk, where Kehlani succeeds with flying colors.
“It’s been a long time coming. I definitely know I’m overdue for doing this [Tiny Desk],” Kehlani says in their set. The journey starts with “Nights Like This,” the heartbreak single from their 2019 mixtape, While We Wait. Then, Kehlani switches gears into “Distraction,” from their debut album SweetSexySavage, followed by an effortless merge into “The Way,” from the 2015 project, You Should Be Here.
After the sultry sounds of “Can I,” Kehlani parks their performance for a moment. “I want to take a second to say: Free Palestine. Free Congo. Free Sudan. Free Yemen. Free Hawaii. Free Guam,” they say. “It’s deeper than this. I need everybody that’s here right now, everybody that’s watching, to step up, to use their voices.” The set then accelerates into “After Hours,” the groovy, summertime anthem from their latest album, CRASH. Kehlani conquers the Desk with raw and real talent, setting them up for a future in music that is full of possibilities. I’m eager to see their next destination.
SET LIST
“Nights Like This”
“Distraction”
“The Way”
“Can I”
“After Hours”
MUSICIANS
Kehlani: lead vocals
Freaky Rob: guitar, musical direction
Doctor O: keys
Simba: bass
Jermaine Poindexter: drums
Karyn Porter: vocals
Chelsea West: vocals
Jasmine Patton: vocals
TINY DESK TEAM
Producers: Alanté Serene, Bobby Carter
Director/Editor: Maia Stern
Audio Technical Director: Hannah Gluvna
Videographers: Maia Stern, Joshua Bryant, Grace Raver
Audio Engineer: Phil Edfors
Production Assistant: Elle Mannion
Photographer: Keren Carrión
Tiny Desk Team: Kara Frame, Ashley Pointer, Hazel Cills
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
#kehlani #nprmusic #tinydesk
All Comments (21)
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You can tell they were nervous at the beginning but they did so well!! I’ve been a fan since 2015 so this is so surreal😭😭
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15 minutes for Kehlani is crazy but I’m gone be grateful 😢
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nah bc kehlani performing can i on this tiny desk changed my life
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Kehlani said they hadn't done a Tiny Desk because they didn't have Tiny Desk worthy music before this album.... then proceeded to perform all the old songs and only one song from this album ❤❤❤
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her support for Palestine 🇵🇸 never goes unnoticed 🫶🏽
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You can tell baby was so nervous. She needs to remember she really is a singerrrr. She gon SANG! Believe in the greatness of yourself. We can be our own worst nitpickers being Taurus. We strive for nothing less than perfection. And I think this is such a vulnerable and scary thing to do. It’s exposing. You sound just like just the studio live. Such a gift and beautiful talent. I love me some Lani always!
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Kehlani has such a beautiful voice for acoustics. I wish they’d consider doing this more
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that mic is ONNNN omg she’s so freakin good live… she sounds even better than the records, I can’t
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WE USED TO PRAY FOR THIS MOMENT 🥺😭 WE'RE FINALLY HERE.😭🥺💕
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I saw the thumbnail and knew I will watch because of her being one of the few US artists always standing for Palestine 🇵🇸
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Backing singers killed it ❤🙌🏿 the transition from Distraction to The Way 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿 loved this.
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They went crazy with the musical arrangement and vocal tones of the backgrounds. Everything sounded amazing
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Yall don’t understand how much this woman means to me 😪💯🫶🏾
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That transition from Distraction to The Way was everything I needed. 🔥
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I loved watching the guitarists vibe behind her the whole show
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I am from Colombia, 52, and suddenly came across this Tiny Desk. . . . wonderful rhythm and music that nourishes the spirit and touches the soul!
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Come on band! Background singers!!! Yall f-ing did that!! Kehlani was incredibly supported today. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🌟
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Guitar player with the curly top is FINE! LOVED you too Kehlani lol
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FINALLY! Kehlani is one of those artist you ALWAYS crave more only because it was so entrancing! Keep using your voices Free 🇵🇸 🇸🇩 🇨🇩
