Chance the Rapper Tiny Desk Concert

Chance the Rapper stopped by the NPR offices to perform two songs and debut a poem to add to the series of “Tiny Desk Concerts.” Today, NPR released the video and his impeccable performance of his original song and poem and Stevie Wonder cover blew us away.

Chance introduced himself by saying “Hey everybody, I’m Chance” and then proceeded to introduce the rest of the musicians who accompanied him. He also said, “I didn’t know this was actually, actually in an office” and the whole room filled with laughter.

He then opened with Coloring Book’s “Juke Jam” and didn’t disappoint. Four background singers were behind him, as well as Nico Segal (trumpet), Peter Wilkins (keys), and Greg Landfair Jr. (drums).

Afterwards, Chance debuted a heartfelt poem that he wrote the morning of and on the way to his tiny desk concert performance from his hotel. Chance named the poem, “The Other Side,” and he recited it from the piece of paper he originally wrote it on. While he recited it, a loud building-wide announcement on a loud speaker issued that there was help needed in the mailroom, considering the Tiny Desk Concert series are truly in a working office.

Chance seamlessly transitioned by cracking a joke and started “The Other Side” over again. He also ended the performance with a Stevie Wonder cover of “They Won’t Go When I Go.” His 1974 Stevie Wonder cover was a tribute to a friend, who had just lost someone close to him or her.

The night before the Tiny Desk performance, Chance performed for more than 23,000 people at Jiffy Lube Live, so this office show was a completely different atmosphere for Chance. However, Chance did an amazing job in this intimate space and was arguably the best NPR music has seen for their Tiny Desk Concert series.