Saul Williams: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert
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- Опубліковано 22 вер 2016
- September 16, 2016 by BOB BOILEN • In terms of sheer intensity, Saul Williams' Tiny Desk concert may be the most potent in our eight-year history. Only Kate Tempest comes to mind as its equal, which makes sense given that both mix music with bracing, truthful poetry. In Williams' opening song - "Burundi," from his album MartyrLoserKing - the main character is a computer hacker who lives in Burundi and fights for democracy:
Question your authority, genocide and poverty
Treaties don't negate the fact you're dealing stolen property
Hacker, I'm a hacker, I'm a hacker in your hard drive
Hundred thousand dollar Tesla ripping through your hard drive
Accompanied by two acoustic guitars as they pound out a beat, Williams became ever more animated, riled and firm. Then, "Think Like They Book Say" paid homage to Chelsea Manning, the soldier serving a prison sentence for leaking classified information to WikiLeaks. To close out the set, Williams cradled my James Brown doll and issued a powerful, somewhat off-the-cuff version of "Down For Some Ignorance." It brought him to tears, and you could feel his passion in every word - sharp, thoughtful, deeply powerful and utterly provocative.
MartyrLoserKing is available now:
iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/album/mar...
Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/B018FURS6A/...
SET LIST:
"Burundi"
"Think Like They Book Say"
"Down For Some Ignorance"
CREDITS:
Producers: Bob Boilen, Niki Walker; Audio Engineers: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Niki Walker, Kara Frame; Production Assistant: Becky Harlan; Photo: Claire Harbage/NPR.
For more Tiny Desk concerts, subscribe to our podcast: www.npr.org/podcasts/510292/ti...
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I feel like I wrote this
Saul Williams. Underrated. But at least those who know of him, know he's the real deal.
Underrated? By whom? Lol. (I know I know, just blows my mind. Dude's a king.)
Crazy how Saul seemed to predict the current state of events....
I adore him
I just found out and I'm happy to be aboard
So much breath exhaustion in those words....I get dizzy
Now THAT is an artist. Vulnerable. Rule bending. Raw. Relevant. Bless you, Saul Williams.
He’s permanently on this level! Perfect Description🤟🏾
"Being a candle is not easy; In order to give light, one must first burn" --Rumi
😮
Woah
Since it isn't already listed in the video, the names of the performers are:
Saul Williams - Vocals
Aku Orraca-Tetteh - Guitar (Yellow)
Akwetey Orraca-Tetteh - Guitar (White)
Thanks!
"Treaties don't negate the fact you deal in stolen property".💎💎💎 He is dropping jewels.
always ! i love that jewels .. they grow to become art in my head :)
Ikr? The good book literally says if you gain the opportunity to get freedom you should take it👨👦
It's about time. Saul Williams has the tongue of a god and we should all be Thankful to listen to it.
Saul Williams' off the cuff version of Down for Some Ignorance was NO DOUBT performed at NPR as an act of defiance. It was a giant indictment of the media performed on their front door. Williams makes a point no matter what he is doing. Seriously impressed with both his invitation to do a tiny desk concert and what he decided to do with that invitation.
I think so too.
Bruh, this dude Saul Williams has been blowing minds for so long that it's like the air he breathes. What an amazing performance! Tiny Desk is really the main reason I come to UA-cam.
Did you ever get to see him live? Would love to see him do his thing.
Saul taught me that the world is drowning in pain, just like his shirt is drowning in sweat. He's a true artist.
hahahaha what, aaahh that was a good laugh 😅 and u are right tho 🙈
6 years late to the party but I would’ve been 15 when this was released. But almost everytime I hear it’s relevant. His words are completely timeless. He is tapped in.
Raw, thought provoking, and intense.
Tiny desk was created for this.
easily the most underrated Tiny Desk Performance
Literally, Saul Williams different mediums has been underrated for years! His spoken word is some of my favorite pieces.
@@Horac3 I hear you! one of the reason I became a poet
Go see Saul Williams live and remember to breath. Powerful. His mind is explosive. One of the wonders of the world.
Katie Roche this is truth. you don't know Saul until you see him live.
Couldn’t have said it better… “One of the wonders of the world”
Got to see him live as the opener for nine inch nails back in 2006 or so...was every bit as good as you think.
mine was readinf festival 2005, small tent, absolutley the most fun I had that year. He then did a spoken word set during the day. Inspirational
Saw him during that tour on an off-night when he performed alone. Madrid. El Sol, tiny basement club. And yes, was every bit as good and still remember it today. Epic.
I remember that. I was disappointed cos in US it was Soundgarden(or similar),but he blown my mind. List of demands was probably the highlight of his show that night💪
That must've been on the Year Zero tour? His version of "Hyperpower" is "Gunshots by Computer", right? I have always thought of that as being one of the better NIN opening album tracks, even if it is on a Remix Album. This Tiny Desk performance is the first I have really heard Neptune Frost, but his words and voice are so powerful. PLus, he can yell-sing, no-auto tune bs, and that is provocative.
What an incredible manifestation of reality! No words of praise or adoration could do this performance just tribute. Thank you NPRMusic for hosting/posting this.
That last performance was utterly moving. I had to hold back tears.
How I only came across this now is unbelievable. I love Saul, was blessed to see him perform live twice in South Africa twice :-)
Saul is an incredible live performer...One of the most intense and honest I have ever seen.
Swoosh indeed. Saul is the real thing,
Outstanding! Saul is pure heart and all that is the human species
I went to see Saul speak at the University of Wyoming about 8 years ago when I was an undergrad there. His words have had a lasting impression on me. Great to see him at the Tiny Desk!!
individuals that would rather take to the keyboard and make negative comments than rather take a minute and just open their mind and think...says alot about the particular person
Mr Saul thank you for using your platform to teach knowledge.
I come to watch this at least twice a month. I love you Saul. I love your strength. I love your weaknesses. I love you for teaching me that "vulnerability is power."
Shout out to anyone on the Guardian culture adventure trail 🙋😁
Yes!
Hello
YES loving it!
Whoop! Whoop!
yes!!! what some revelations!!
If we're talking about powerful and beautiful art, we're talking about Saul Williams, not a single word, not a single note is there to be overlooked...
Si estamos hablando de arte poderoso y bello, estamos hablando de Saul Williams, ni una sola palabra, ni una sola nota están allí para ser pasadas por alto...
Been rocking with this dude since that movie Slam.
He will forever be one of my favorite artists, poets, authors, activist etc. #MartyrLoserKing #ImACandle
This was the mfuckin truth. Incredible.
Woooo That last song was amazing. Haven't heard an artist mention that subject yet. Saul is the best to do it. He gave us such a beautifully crafted version of this reality.
art evokes emotion. this is art indeed.
I will be watching him perform for the third time tomorrow...I cant wait!
This man is the truth : )
Wow...this man is incredible! Just booked my ticket to see him perform live in London.
Im a candle
me too
essentially... I'm a candle. You can chop my neck a billion times...
best line ive herd in a while
David whoosh!
Dam I remember seeing this dude on Def Jam Poetry back in the day.
Slam
SLAM.
And welcome to the jam 😏
Encrypted but vulnerable.... Dreaming while woke... This performance still entrances me two years later.
This is my kind of Tiny Desk concert! Thank you Saul Williams. Wow... just wow!
The Dead Emcee Scrolls are everything to me.... thank you brother. This is Real Hip Hop in case you cant tell
As an Emcee From LI I use to travel out to the Brooklyn Moon Cafe because my Brother Freedom told me thats where you go to PROVE your self amongst the greatest poets of all times ........ The Moon Cafe was the house that Saul Williams , Jessica Care Moore , Shareef Simmons , Mos Def , Liza Jesse Peterson,Tyran GRAFX Allen built ..... You know what I don't know if they built it but they made me come back for more of the Raw ....... I am glad to say that all these great people became my comrades and friends back then we all did work together .........🎤
That sounds like such an incredible experience
@@obrey__ Yes it was . I would take a time machine back to that time 🎤
Woah.
I hadn't had the pleasure of getting to know Saul Williams. This made quite the impression.
Lately I became totally enchanted by the Harlem Renaissance. It made me think of Saul Williams, I think he and his poetry and his intellectual leanings fit right in, more so than other modern artists.
Saul is a FORCE! Ya heard?! A perfect storm, modern day mystic and one of the worlds most prolific poets. ✊🏾
...He's hacking through your hard-drive and hate is no security...
beautiful. thankful to experience such rare energy even via screen.
I couldn't help but think of "Look How They Treat Us" after he shed tears and the results of this election. I feel you Saul. I feel you.
Incredible poet and artist. Been listening to Saul since the early 90's. Thank you NPR.
Few songs i keep on listening so many Times in a row.... saul williams has been my idol for such a long Time !! No comment.... my Way of life... my ears
People hate on it because it's harsh. Very different than other artists on here.
Anderson Paak and now Saul Williams. NPRs killing it with these concerts lately
Agreed
"Whitney Huston's Crack Pipe" sums it up. My god npr this is fing terrible!!! Jesus
good to see that you didn't even bother to try to understand the song
Maxbeanbag+ What?!? Its official. You have a low i.Q
"Whitney Huston's crack pipe, the greatest love of all (addiction)
Watch me rise (Get high) to watch me fall (The crash after taking drugs)
+Maxbeanbag unfortunate that's all you grasped from this.
Love this concert. Been a fan of this amazing poet and performer since my teens when Wine and List of Demands we're my anthems. Followed Saul ever since- lucky enough to have seen him live three times: first just him and a mic, second with the jazz musician David Murray and third with a DJ. Each show was unique and mind blowing. This NPR concert is special too, particularly the rendition of Think Like They Book Says, which means alot to me.💜🤯👍
I got goosebumps watching and listening this performance. Saw Saul Williams twice in Macedonia. First in 2016, just after releasing Martyrloserking and second time in 2018 with David Murray quartet. Been a Saul Williams fan since high school (29 now, and in 2016 i was 25, so). I was so hiped for the first concert (for the second, as well). I am a concert goer from my young age, let's say - the first gig i was, was when i was 13 and continued going till now and i must say the first concert he played in Skopje was one of my favourite. It was a musical/poetical/life experiance in one. Remember, i almost lost consciousness from so much dancing and enjoying. Met Saul after the concert, thanks to my friend whose uncle is the organizer of the festival Saul was playing and Saul was really, really kind person. We talked for a bit and he said, i quote - i saw you enjoying the concert and i was in heaven. Of course, clumsy me, just didn't know what to talk with him, but, still. I read all his books and currently reading chorus, the anthology he edited. I think, he is one of the most important musicians/artists in our times, in every way.
Oh they’re for real. I’m so happy my algorithm brought me here 7 years late and somehow right on time.
This man is so inspiring
go ahead
some of the comments say more about us than him... it's clear most can't process the depth of his lyrics.
Incredible lyricism and poetry, the vocals are so moving!
I know art when I see it
I'm a Warhol
LOL!
This guy is absolutely amazing... thank you for sharing your talents
High poetry.
So powerful. Saul's words are fire!!!
Those last minutes when the tears started to roll down his cheeks. Holy shit...
Kids need to be listening to Saul these day zzz.
Love you Saul Williams!
Thank you Saul! Much love and respect.
.... wow. ballsy & badassss. thank you, Saul. and NPR... every time you do more for the truth, the ignorance suffers.
As usual, Saul Williams tell on the future. Toli Nameless misses you!!!!
every city/state deserves a library like this :,(
So much love for this man and his words
Excellent!!! I love the setup with stereo guitars! Nice sound, thank you🙌
Powerful! This is Music! Raw, true, political and intellectual. Keep doing your thing Saul!
First time I'm hearing from him. goose bump, I dont get all the lyrics but I can fill the engagement. Bravo
This is so relevant...and he is incredible.
AN ABSOLUTE LEGEND!!!!!
Saul Williams is an inspiration forever !
Insane performance - Saul Williams is fire
ART.PLAIN AND SIMPLE
America has always relied on "outsiders" to be the purveyors of truth. "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith..."
Saul Williams KRS-One, Russell Simmons, Taleeb Kwail, Damian Marley/NAS....are mature men of spirit and depth; this is a bit intense and notm as good 'musically' as alot of his work.. AND, all these guys and Saul are balanced people addressing issues skirted by 95 percent of hip hoppers and rappers, and avoid the bling bling of record companies that, perhaps would require of them to be less authentic. These guys deal with core issues not not glamorizing with 'war stories of violence' but fatherloss, family, self-care, and a spirituality that has not softenened or been compromised despite (in their earlier careers) not making squat for money. KRS-One absolutely walks his talk (ex. spiritually minded). I've talked to young adults he's hired on his road crew who lives for music and (by my observation needed mentoring).
this the realest thing i read all day
what a combo!!!! thanks everyone
Still amazed by this man!!!
Deeply radical and poetic. Burn bright and stand
cant say enough good about this man of love////SLAM
WOW the best NPR intense music with knowledge! keep up Saul!
I was really moved by this performance.
I'd love to see more spoken word at tiny desk. Chinaka Hodge for example
Glad to exist at the same time as this artist. Much love to you Saul, thank you for the guidance over my most formative years, including now.
One of my all time favorites. Keep it up bruh
It hurts. Thank you.
“Show my papes at Heaven’s Gate they ask me for my visa”
That’s deep…
😉 amazing, thank you for the vulnerability. And, of course Bob for featuring the best of the best.
SO GOOD. Saul never disappoints.
this is incredible
This was amazing!!!
Ay, Saul Williams.
Powerful . . . as always.
He took me for an emotional ride once that beat dropped.
i cannot believe this clip has less than 200k views. i swear ive watched it more than that
I just have one word for Saul Williams in-cre--di-ble!!!! Well maybe two totally inspiring🙏🏾🙏🏾
This is beautiful ❤
True poetry and music
Fire. Just pure fire. Amazing.
I really appreciate you, Saul.
encrypted and vulnerable, that's what I like about you. this is amazing.