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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 ก.ค. 2018
- July 11, 2018 | Abby O'Neill -- Mumu Fresh sings that the teacher arrives when the student is ready. During a recent trip to the Tiny Desk, she came bearing life lessons from the depths of her soul.
A regal combination of black power and Native American pride, Mumu Fresh - also known by her birth name Maimouna Youssef - is an abundantly gifted singer and emcee who prances between genres and styles. The Baltimore native fuses her rich multi-octave range and ferocious rap delivery with spiritually-inclined lyrics so potent and mindful they precipitated a wellspring of emotion throughout the room.
Mumu is not new to NPR Music. During her guest appearance at February's August Greene Tiny Desk, she stirred emotions with her verse on "Practice," which spoke cathartically about the realities of being a black woman. Mumu began her own Tiny Desk in her native Lakota tongue with "Ink Pata," signaling a call to prayer in a sacred ritual. Looped tribal chants of her own harmonies set the mood as delivered a stirring spoken word performance that journeyed through her ancestral lineage to the struggles of the present day.
With a buoyant and thoughtful spirit, Mumu and her band transitioned into the classic-sounding "Miracles" from Vintage Babies, her collaborative album with group mate DJ Dummy. Declaring it a celebration of soul music, she mixed sweet tender melodies with lyrics to empower those devoid of hope. It's in this song that Mumu shared the proverb about the teacher and the student, while reminding us that we all have to be ready for blessings yet to come. It made for a fluid segue into "Work In Progress," accented by the feel-good chords of The Roots keyboardist Ray Angry, an ebullient backdrop to Mumu's humanizing and candid rap verse detailing her pathway to personal growth and self-love.
The set concludes with a new version of "Say My Name," a song Mumu wrote about Sandra Bland, who died in police custody in 2015, and the impact it had on her. Starting off with a 1950s doo-wop circle, she blends traditional soul elements with politically relevant lyrics. Given Mumu's stint writing and touring with The Roots after high school, it was only fitting to have front man and lyrical force Black Thought make a special guest appearance.
Set List
"Ink Pata"
"Miracles/Work in Progress"
"Say My Name" (feat. Black Thought)
Musicians
Maimouna Youssef (vocals), Andre "DJ Dummy" Smith (DJ), Black Thought (vocals), Chelsey Green (violin), Monique Brooks-Roberts (violin), Kevin Jones (cello), Corey Fonville (drums), Romier Mendez (bass), Ray Angry (keys), Amber Harmon (supporting vocals)
Credits
Producers: Abby O'Neill, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Kara Frame, CJ Riculan, Beck Harlan; Production Assistants: Catherine Zhang, Téa Mottolese; Photo: Eslah Attar/NPR. - เพลง
How do you love rap when rap doesn’t love you back? From Rico Nasty’s harassment from toxic Carti fans, to Saucy Santana's unapologetically femme aesthetics in a queerphobic industry, to the assault case that put Megan Thee Stallion’s entire image on trial, each episode of Louder Than A Riot - the second season of our investigative hip-hop podcast - unpacks the unspoken rules of rap that hold the entire culture back. Tap in to our first episode at n.pr/louder-season-2.
To judge art on the basis of a few lyrics that are purposely saturating the airwaves is like comparing the entire human race on the missteps of a few. The purpose is to find balance.
There is no appreciation for the light if there is no darkness.
Msugee Creek " Lawson & Presley
True Fricktións
@77myuke 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽
To say that this is one of the best Tiny Desk concerts is a gross understatement. This isn't even a musical performance, it's a history lesson, a cultural voyage that links the distant past of America with it's current grim state . It's as close to spiritual I've been in years.
Ache! We rise
Asè
♥️🙏♥️
This.
Truth!!
The best one I've ever seen. Spirit shaking.
Have you seen Tank and the Bangas on Tiny Desk? I dare you to listen!
Currently co-signing this comment at around 18 minutes or so 💪🏽
Just found this! Yes, I am ready to receive all this beauty, inside and out. Ah, The Creativity!! Wow!
My Spirit is Fed off of this music
Great sings
Y’all don’t understand how much I’m bout to support her
Spirit👌🏽✊🏽🙏🏽
Anybody else come back to life once you realized she had stacked her own background BEFORE starting .... and when she called upon her ancestors who said “fuck it!” And went back into another dimension 🙌🏾
This. WAS. POWERFUL.
Who can’t stop watching
👇🏾
Still watching
when she opened invoking the spirit and HER ancestors, I already knew ....
You u took the words out of my mouth brudah,🤗
I had the same thought 5 seconds in, like this sounds like worship. Ut not to a spirit I know. 😵
I was ready for it to go down
Amen!!!
okay
She must be protected at all costs..
She's big enough to protect herself. Lol
Lmbo!! My thoughts EXACTLY!!! She’s so dope...smh
MIRICALS AND BLESSINGS BROTHER!🌺
derrick.dk all wombs
Yesssir! She spoke to my soul at 5:05. (LISTEN ON REPEAT)
I LOVE HER SO MUCH! I am in tears!! Thank you Mumu Fresh!!
I know I'm not the only one who fell in love over this realest of realness right here♡
She took us BEYOND CHURCH. She's Heavens light walking this Earth💜💜💜
Same girl! Brilliant❤🧡💛🥰
Criminally underrated!!🔥🔥🔥
Oh me oh my YES my tears are and were uncontrollable...MuMu PIERCEs the soul for those who are ready that is...and I live with two family members and I knew inmy heart I couldnt cry like i really want to the way MuMu conveys the message who its meant for...i cry even more because my two family members DON'T GET "IT" but i realize this will not pierce everyones soul only a few select...everyone is growing and faster or slower than others...
October 29, 2023 When the student is ready the teacher appears.
To you reading this you are more than a conqueror. You have made it before and you will survive this now. Don't give up on your Future! God handles our troubles when we give up worrying. Thank you for blessings, peace, love and a sound mind! 🧡💫
What blows me away is she sings like an angel AND can spit fire with likes of Black Thought. This woman is something to cherish and uplift because her voice is so important for this time we are living in
Yes
See, She's the full package!!! Poet, lyricist, singer, activist, spiritualist and the beauty in her simple calm demeanour 🔥🔥🔥
Frank Akwetey 100%.
Frank Akwetey an she got a ill colored tongue.She looks like her breath smells like a fresh breeze.
Frank Akwetey yep, she IS ALL that!
awesome Cool good lyricism poet powerful dope best ever real hip-hop raw soul old performance awakening npr thank you
Yes, and she's down to Earth and maaaad kool too, Word!!
I've been coming back to this session for 5 years. Everytime the keys kick in around 01:15 I still get goosebumps.
Ink pa ta, na wa ziu
na si na, ca co ze,
ma ya, ma ya,
le ciya ku wan na
"I will be standing at the top of the hill signaling for you to come here, now"
So beautiful that I get emotional listening to it
Thank you! I was just looking for the lyrics.
Thank you so much for translating for what she sang at the beginning
THANK YOU
Me too 💙
🎉thanks!!!
This sista is straight up dope, she’s exactly what we need in the black music industry.
Facts
Ase'
Yes.
Yeah someone reading the heartfelt lyrics someone else wrote for them
@Ashlyn art Who talks about white executives?
All I say is that an artist reading her lyrics as she sings loses all credibility to me.
This wasn't a performance.. this was an experience... SHEESH! 🙌
herFLYness79 facts
I agree
herFLYness79 Girl!! Lordt! 🙌🏾🙌🏾
herFLYness79 yes
🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽👌🏽👍🏽💯💯💯💯
ADVISORY: this video will invigorate your soul. Drink some water and sitdown before listening.
🙌
Black People are connected directly to The Most High and are truly higher beings...
u rly think so?
@@sebastiantraxler5550 yup, you cant tell?
@@rahajibaba I don't think anyone should regard themselves as a "higher being". We are altogether human. I suggest you do the same, brother.
@@sebastiantraxler5550 Nothing is equal in the universe
O lord, 😂 😂 😂
"God's work is so gangsta!" -- that line is EV-ER-Y-THANG
Yassss
I feel like I got more than my money's worth...and it was free!
This is still one of the best and most underrated Tiny Desk Concerts. Mumu is a truth teller, spiritual artist and someone everyone should know.
indeed
"Impossible" - the word alone is I'm possible." Amen. All rise.
It's not like 10 000 artists used the very same line before
@@taurtue No it's not. I love that we have artists expressing in countless unique ways
✌💞⚘⚘🎶✊
@@zovalentine7305 Audrey Hepburn phrased it exactly the same way. Maybe it's a quote, but it's not unique that's for sure
WE BLACK INDIANS WHO SURVIVED THE TRAIL OF TEARS !!!!
That's right!
Yes indeed my children and I are working on music from the voices of our ancestors too
True
🎯🎯💯
Hallelujah
Up there with Tank and The Bangas performance. Funny how my favorite tiny desk performance's were their least known artist. Yet, they were darn near spiritual moments.
Tracy. Tank and The Bangas left me speecless!
I TOTALLY AGREE!😎SO GLAD I STUMBLED UPON HER ESSENCE!
So true so inspiring
Tanks and the Bangas was a spiritual experience
YES!!!
I saw Mumu in concert last night & had to revisit this Tiny Desk that introduced me. She is a spiritual experience. She is art.
I've watched this at least 50 times and every time I get chills that turn to tears. Every song is so powerful and heartfelt. So much love
Like your comment and sensitivity
Her joy when she says "Every time I see a mirror, I pose dammit!" is so beautiful.
YEEEEEESSSSS 🙏🏾🤗💜🙏🏾🤗💜🌟
It just seems narcissistic tho.
@@taurtue you have to have stood in the shoes of a narcissist to say something of that nature.
oh my goodness as soon as I saw this comment she said this
I love that so much. narcissistic? nah my man, she's just proud she made it out of her struggle.
"Every time I see a mirror... I POSE DAMNIT!!!"... I felt that!
her voice cracks then too - i watched this 20 times now - she's a true artist i can't wait till she sings again
Same
Same i love that line in the song so much
hit like a brick my god and i hate mirrors
❤️❤️❤️❤️
She literally shifted my soul. Peace
Mumu 🙏🏿📿
This girls is unique, nobody compare to her. Her passion, talent, cosmovission and perspective of life is more than beautifull
NPR .... You are throwing down. You are destroying. You are improving my life. You are dropping carpet bombs of culture. MY lord.
👏👏👏👏 well said.
OMG YES
"You are dropping carpet bombs of culture" really got me LOL well said
You said that! 💪🏿✊🏾👏🏾🙌🏾
Wow, being indigenous this performance hit soo deep, I alway felt like I'am the product of prayers. My people were not supposed to be here today but against all odds my people are still here. 500 years of genocide, I'm still here thanks to prayers, love, perseverance of my ancestors. What a powerful performance!! Hip hop, soul, poetry, storytelling, art, and music!! Beautiful!! ✊
I agree cousin
INDEED!!!
We pray for ur people
Facts....
Ache! We black Indian
I couldn't swipe away if I wanted to. Black excellence personified 🖤🖤🖤
"what if your miracle is waiting on you to be prepared". ✨This gave me a moment of hope.🥰 Thank you Mumu Fresh. What a wonderful talent you have!
...spiritual beings having a human experience!
Love that this Coment has a 108 Thumbs up! A Sacred Number of Prayer in some Cultures. I will click the 109 anyways :)
Yes!!! So much love!!
Such a great line in the song
This changed my whole life, my whole spirit, my whole face, my whole mood, my whole attitude, my whole soul, my whole stride, my whole posture. Go tell it on a mountain
YASS SPIRITUAL BROTHER
Yes Brother!!!! 🙌🏽
Facts
It really did *** tears in eyes*** WoW
We give thanks.
This is more than music, art, poetry, this is healing, love and experience rolled into a performance. Peace and Love
She is a blessing to us all. That first song for me is a prayer and protest. So deep and beautiful, I keep returning to it. Thank you for your artistry and truth telling sister!
When she hit the vocals at the end I was broke... The spirit over took me.
The performing arts, Jazz, Blues, Poetry, Soul, The Struggle, Hip Hop.. my GOD.. she even repped for the the Choctaw and our Native American brothers and sister's, who's stories so often get drowned out.. The Trail Of Tears - the 'Long Walk' .. my Mother is from Mississippi, so seeing a sister, out loud, screaming for the world ..'WE STILL CHEA' ..my grandmother and great grandmother would be so fkin proud .. Black and Native American FOREVER !
I couldn't have said it better myself 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🙌💯💓💞💓💞💓💕
This woman fileted my soul.
Cut me open real wide, so some sunshine could get in, and the tears could roll out.
Good morning beautiful people!!!
Adam Isaac same happened to me!! Somebody pissed me off this morning and then i go onto TH-cam, click onto this and my life illuminated! 👏👏👌👌💗💗💓💓
Exactly!!! Healing happened here!!!
welcome to life.. fillets are the best part
Damn, this performance and comment got me teary. Such an embodied performance and opening for our soul and heart. "Here, let it open and wail, beat, feel, and be filled again. "
Right..!!!! Like... why am i even crying right now... lol
That transition to the second verse in "Miracles" is the smoothest thing I've ever heard... Whew!
I don't usually comment I just indulge, this time around wow. This was beautiful
Sampling Donny Hathaway at 7:07
Quoting Lauryn Hill at 14:25
Sampling Outkast at 17:11
This is a melting pot for good music, Mumu Fresh knows exactly what she's doing!!! Best Tiny Desk Concert out.
Janelle Monae @10:18
Islam, Christianity, First Nations, & West African Traditional religions
Kimberle' Crenshaw @13:45
Ben Racz 4:07 Kendrick
Digable Planets @ 3:03
Did the violinist throw in some Eve @12:36?
Eddie Kendrik 9:30
...and she got more talent in her damn toe jam than *ALL* of the mainstream 'rappers' and 'singers' put together.
junior burchall I was thinking the same.
YUP!
truth
Lol... basically..!!
Meanwhile mumble rappers go platinum, daily. It's so annoying.
Sometimes The Father gives us things we don’t deserve just to make us better. Mumu you are a Gift and I want to thank you.
Black thought Freestyle.... 18.50... 💯delivery.. He never disappoints..mad talent MuMu Fresh👏👏👏
This is what it means to be black and proud. You make me what to live a meaning life. Thank the ancestors for you. Both Africans and native Indians were represented so beautifully. Love from South Africa
Nice words there! The brotherhood message is important for all humanity, really.
And it really saddens me somewhat with what's happening in South Africa.
After the apartheid years, I don't imagine it was Mandela's dream to see what South Africa has degenerated to. It's a dark time to be seeing what's going on!! Marvin Gaye... What's going on... brother, sister, mothers and fathers.. It's just so sad😭.
Hate will never be a foundation for any civilised society. As an African first and a Zambian second I feel utterly ashamed of us. I think we're better than this. Only LOVE will surely conquer hate. Ultimately, it's about DEEDS not words. Bless your soul .
Excellent performance by Mumu Fresh by the way!! A very talented artist who should be more well known.
I loved Black Thoughts performance too. Excellent delivery!
This music +your comment= tears. Your life matters. You, like all of us are here to SHINE! We have to know that it is more valuable to be ourselves than anything else we can do! Peace and Love!
The two branches, Ephriam and Judah. Most High said we would come back together in those latter times, in communion and by birth.
first time I heard her sing was with Common, got hooked to her voice till today. Much love to this Black Princess . From Phil in South Africa
Oh yeah, Asibonge mkhaya✊🏽
Can we acknowledge the live instrumentation ❤️ Nothing can beat the sound of live percussion and live bands
Zayne you said more than a mouthful! My childhood surrounded by live music and percussion! THIS right here took me back to the days when great music was pure off the minds of men!
"I learned to sing not in school/but in ways you wouldn't understand/ see singing wasn't about songs/its about sounding the laying on of hands" 4:30
yes yes yes
What's wrong with you dislike people? What cheap material are your ears and souls made of? She is a gift! Bah
"We are spiritual beings having a human experience and nothing else is ever true." My soul exhaled when she spoke that.
Most definitely 😢..... beautifully said.
This is what the Tiny Desk is for, bringing unrecognized talent to the big stage. I'll be looking out for Mumu's project any day now!
th-cam.com/video/Ajom7UNKCnY/w-d-xo.html
You right.
Her latest project Vintage Babies is on Spotify, iTunes, Amazon and all online retailers. Check it out.
I made the mistake of looking under her stage name. I've been bumping Maimouna all day.
On everything I love, im 6'3 290lbs, bench press over 500lbs and when I tell you this woman brought me to tears......She just tore down my wall and opened up my soul
Cool low key self promo bro.
I had goosebumps the entire time. She has her ancestors and spirit all around her. I cried real tears of joy and release during that Work in Progress song. ❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
I am so in love. Shouting from a mountain top for this woman and her amazing band.
I never heard of her until i clicked on this video. she's SUPER dope!!!
Late but have you heard on august greenes tiny desk the song practice. Tears!
Me too. I'm a fan
Same here.
MAYA ROBINSON She’s a Legend.
take that back she's one of the greatest! how dare you down play her stories! jkjk, I love her so hard.
Mumu Fresh will not get the credit and fame she deserves. She has a lot of power in her singing and rapping and poems. ✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿 Listen to her album with DJ Dummy, message in every song. Simply POWERFUL!!!🗣🗣🗣
Yep. Instead they promote the garbage by Nicki Minaj and Cardi B. No surprise.
@@AR-ml9eo They have no interest in elevating us or her music. It will wake too many of Folks up; instead, we sell everything over, and they destroy or water it down. Later hire black writers for the "White" artist. Alternatively, destroy it. Jazz, Rock & Roll, Blues, R&B they could not imitate, and suggested transitional music which morphed into POP popular music, and not HIP HOP. I am glad God set her apart from that infected pool.
Thank God for Mumu. She got me crying in my art studio in grad school.
This soothes my soul,so comforting to see a Queen 👑who hears my Silent Tears... I Thought I was Alone,I thought I was alone...whispering, I thought I was alone,humbly bowing ...Ty👑💪👏👏👏❤💚🖤⚘💥
"I survived the trails of tears and slavery, this here is what you call unmatched bravery, and if you want this blessing on your stages , it ain't all about the money, but baby you gon have to pay me, say we, ...call it reparations!"
AMAZING!!!!!!!
YYYYIIIKES!!!
SPITFIYAH 🔥🔥🔥🔥
She has soul,gospel, and rap down.
Ms. Fresh:
“The Teacher comes when the Student is ready.” Sounds about right
🎵”Your miracle is waiting on you / but it can’t come ‘til you’re ready / What you ‘gon do...” YES
I almost feel guilty for enjoying this so much knowing I didn’t pay a single penny for this kind of entertainment.
That jacket is hard Mumu
I swear... the MuMu Fresh and Tank & the Bangas Tiny Desks... Gave me life and restored my love for music. Thank you NPR.
Facts...check that chika joint out too.
Yasssssssss!!!!!!!
I always come back to this tiny desk concert of Mumu Fresh! Just as a reminder that my miracle is waiting on me and not the other way around! Always gives me an optimistic outlook when the pessimism takes over.... Thanks love from South Africa
Oh my! Oh my! This is woke and raw! My soul trembled as I listened to every word and note of the sounds my childhood! Live music and words that spoke from the depths of a woman's spirit and soul!
Her second song made me cry and smile at the same time. Great storytelling
my favorite line "I've been through so much shit I'm surprised I'm still standing. So every time I see a mirror I pose dammit it's a celebration
The first song did it for me . So powerful. Peace and blessings.
YesSSS !!
Ase' May the Ancestors ease our pain, and continue to infuse us with strength to keep us strong. . .
Same. Hit me directly in my chest- powerful
Frank Akwetey I agree
This is a True Black Woman! Strong. Elegant. Cultured. Beautiful. Talented. Overall UnFckWithable👸🏽
🎯🎯🎯!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Every word she utters is poetry. But that line about “The audacity of hope to believe you can succeed when everybody and they mama say no” that really hits the soul.
Whhhhhat where in the world has this brilliant sister been in my life...oh my goodness, amazing talent!!! Allison Russell sent me here personally..love them both. ♥
This sister is absolutely honey, miel to my heart and soul. My God, Lord, this creative voice you blessed her with! Land, keep singing and telling the truth!!
I listen to this damn near every day
Ameen
if not online it's in my head
On repeat 2-3times a day bro🎧🎶🎶🎶😊
I think I will be too!
Definitely
Tiny Desk ..your knocking it out of the park this month
Mumu is so amazing. Lord have mercy.
I so appreciate mum’s fresh. This is what you call a PERFORMANCE , every time I watch this I’m blown away like it’s the first time I’m hearing it.
Forreal yo! Every time I watch (prolly 50 times so far) I feel like I just watched it for the first time!!
Tiny desk PLEASE have her back I will PAY for this EXPERIENCE 10xs over!!!
I WILL MATCH THIS PERSON PLEASE
Black Thought Freestyled that....CRAZY!!!!
Why would a so-called “Black” wombman be singing in Lakota???🤔 Because we are the Aboriginal’s of this land, and she is telling us in song! Thank you beautiful sista! Peace!
💯💯🏹🔥💯💯🙅🏾♂️
“We in bondage, but my spirit is free.”
she must be this generation's Ms. Lauryn Hill. amazing artist
meets Chaka Khan
Meets Jill Scott
Meets Queen Latifah.
I get what you saying, but she's this generations MuMu Fresh. Comparison, no matter how great it is limits us from our own unique greatness
poet powerful Cool good lyricism black culture soul old
She is an Old soul....
Many Many lives.
this is indeed true
No dought 👊🏼
Powerful.. touched my heart profoundly. . love from Switzerland
ive fallen in love wit this native queen
WE ARE the product of prayers ANSWERED. Flourish sisters and brothers!!!💕💕💕💕
"I'm different, descendent of the fittest, I've been reincarnated just so that I could handle business" ...................Say My Name
Man@!!!!!! I'm throwing my whole shoe! Yassuh!! I got my ENTIRE life🤗
Who is still watching this in 2021? 🔥
Oh my good Goddess
I smiled
I cried
I danced
I felt
I had goosebumps
This was beyond perfect
Aunty I just wanna hug u
Tell it!!!
That tribute to Sandra was so beautiful, I got chocked up
Goddess!!! Goddess!!! always go back to watch this amazing performance,....... 50 times ? cant get enough , luv ya to the moon and back goddess mumu ! you have an amazing gift way beyond talent ........ in love !! Thanks so much
for real, i dont religiously go back to any npr video except this one. at least 3 times a year apparently
That intro shook me alllllll the way up, pressed and stirred up. Spiritual being having a human experience 🖖🏾🙏🏾👍🏾
The bar has been raised again......
Black excellence. This was a 🔥 performance. This queen is talented. And she just gained a new supporter. and she is gorgeous may peace be upon her and her whole band! ASE
This is therapy. I had to come again to witness the incredible talent of Mumu Fresh
Still my favorite Tiny Desk...period.
This is the epitome of SOUL music. What a phenomenal experience 🖤❤💚💛
Low key I cried during the first song
I high key cried. lol
Me too.
1st...2nd...3rd...
Ameen
Me too.
Who are these 407 folks who didn't appreciate this Queen? The teacher rise, when the student is ready! They obviously aren't ready! She's very inspirational and talented. She lifts and moves my spirit! Bless you My Queen. Everybody is not for you. You are Special. I love your voice and your music! Continue to be you and do you! This entire performance is🔥🔥🔥. Thank you! The band and your background singers are HOT!
This performance speaks volumes.
I just came back from the work bathrooms cos I paused and went to cry, before I did at my own desk. This is something else. I'm shook. I have no proper words. Thank you NPR. Thank you Mumu Fresh.
Girlllllllllll im just hearing this too......i just found her......and miracle brought me to tears as well...thought I was the only one.
Couldn't understand why I started crying immediately😭😭 Never even heard of her before.
Return of the Ancient Ones......so divine, straight ether.
I Hear U !!!!
I feel that too. A real gift to humanity
Blessed Love for real.
Black thought got back on the mic and reintroduced her was pure onstage instinct