SWV: Tiny Desk Concert
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Published 2024-06-28
Bobby Carter | June 28, 2024
We conclude 2024’s Black Music Month celebration at the Tiny Desk with the catalyst for the all-female lineup, SWV. Year after year, I’ve begged who I consider the greatest girl group ever to come play the Desk. Like the other Black women we’ve hosted this month, SWV has yet to receive the proper acknowledgment for its influence over the past three decades. There was a moment, similar to the sing-along portion of Chaka Khan’s show, when Coko, Taj and Lelee were taken aback while the audience kept the party going after the band stopped playing “I’m So Into You.”
Sisters With Voices originated in the church before the group started recording R&B music. It broke through in the 1990s, a decade that was the pinnacle of girl groups. In a landscape including En Vogue, TLC, Xscape and dozens more, SWV remained in front of the pack, topping the charts, amassing gold and platinum plaques and breaking new ground in music, style and sexual liberation. Before playing “You’re The One,” Lelee introduced the song, reminding us that they “kinda took a beating for the team because our music was a little risqué.”
As a new appreciation for ’90s R&B has emerged over the past several years, SWV has reigned supreme. Watching the audience sway and sing to songs like “Weak” and “Rain,” I’m reminded of the lasting quality of SWV that continues to connect us.
SET LIST
“I'm So Into You”
“Right Here (Human Nature Radio Mix)”
“You're the One”
“You're Always On My Mind”
“Rain”
“Weak”
“Anything (Old Skool Radio Version)”
MUSICIANS
Coko: vocals
Taj: vocals
Lelee: vocals
E. Will: keys, musical direction
Shago Elizondo: guitar
CJ Mercer: bass
Toussaint Lipton II: drums
Curtis Jones Jr.: trombone
Theljion Allen: trumpet
Brent Birckhead: saxophone
Anisa Stoot: vocals
Donisha Berryman: vocals
Jayye Michael: vocals
DaNell Daymon: vocals
TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Bobby Carter
Director/Editor: Joshua Bryant
Audio Technical Director: Josephine Nyounai
Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Maia Stern, Kara Frame, Alanté Serene
Audio Engineer: Valentina Rodriguez Sanchez
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Photographer: Estefania Mitre
Animation: Jackie Lay
Florist: Kelanda Edwards
Tiny Desk Copy Editor: Hazel Cills
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
#nprmusic #tinydesk #swv
All Comments (21)
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whoever is lining up the tiny desks this year is doing such an amazing job😭
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The person that has been booking the Tiny desk acts deserves a raise
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70s baby here...i appreciate SWV still together and they Still jam. Thank you Beautiful Queens
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Pans to the crowd during ‘Weak’ and the brother is just shaking his head at how good this is 🤣 I am him
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The fact that CoCo’s voice STILL sounds like that…🙌🏽🔥🔥🔥
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my husband on the saxophone KILLING <3
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Not enough credit is given to Coko for those eternal pipes. She still has a beautiful voice!
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TINY DESK NEEDS A GRAMMY OR 5!! They stay in the pocket always on point! This was awesome! Love love love SWV!
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Coko’s son singing background is everything ❤❤❤
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Not the crowd singing along on key and with perfect pitch 🫢
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I am a Reggae Artist and SWV is one of my favorite group of all time
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You already know "SISTAS WITH VOICES" was gonna light it up. 💪🏾💪🏾
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If you’re in your 40’s… this joint hit different! Much respect to SWV and their longevity!
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The fact that the audience 🗣ATE!!! that key change up during ‘Weak’!!! 😫🤦🏾♂️👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
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The heart of the 90’s, they owned that era and they still sound good. When I listen to them I think about the old neighborhood, just being young and observant..
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Can we just appreciate the bass player please. Bro was DEEP in THAT pocket.
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Coko having her son as a background singer is Dope!
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Coko doesn't get enough recognition for them everlasting pipes. She STILL sings so perfectly! ❤❤❤
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Can we talk about how good they look??!!!
