Clipse just dropped their first album in 16 years with Let God Sort Em Out, and the press run has been a textbook example of how older rappers should handle a comeback. Just today alone, we’ve seen Pusha T and Malice on The Breakfast Club, a Complex cover story, and now this: a Tiny Desk Concert.
The Virginia duo ran through tracks from the new album as well as some classics, but the highlight? A live performance of “Grindin” complete with the iconic lunchroom table beat. You already know what time it is.
Check out the full video below.
After a 16 year hiatus and with no go-to band in place, Clipse’s Tiny Desk took lots of time to piece together. At first, I didn’t know exactly what they were looking for in terms of sonics, but it clicked when I was told what they didn’t want: no jazzy renditions of their music. They meant no disrespect to jazz at all, and if you follow the duo’s music, it boils down to hard drums and even harder synths. Hybrid drummer Daru Jones, who played on last year’s Tiny Desk for the LOX, was the first choice because of his unique ability to mix traditional and electronic drum sounds. He provided the authenticity needed for this set, and everything else fell into place.
The excitement for the Thornton brothers’ return reached its apex instantly as someone in the crowd yelled “Oh my god!” at the opening note of “Virginia.” There was no lull as the band coasted through “Keys Open Doors” and “Momma I’m So Sorry,” from Clipse’s most celebrated album, Hell Hath No Fury. I found so much to analyze witnessing the dichotomy between Pusha T and Malice up close. Malice is more collected in his movements, intensely scouring the room with his eyes while his brother is much more animated, even letting out a sinister laugh mid-set. Recorded weeks ago, the two performed songs from their new album Let God Sort Em Out for the first time, including a chilling dedication to their deceased parents, “Birds Don’t Sing.” Before the tears from the crowd could dry, we got the moment we’d been waiting for in “Grindin’.”
The first half of the year in hip-hop hasn’t been the most exciting, so the timing of this reunion couldn’t be better. Here’s Clipse delivering its best live performance ever recorded and one of the hardest Tiny Desks of all time.
