New Jersey’s own hip-hop and spoken word artist, Cre8ive MC, triumphantly announces his official return to music with the release of his debut full-length album, ‘Make Sure They Spell Your Name Right,’ which is available now exclusively on his website. Known around the North Jersey open mic scene for his electric performances, emotional honesty, and quick wit, Cre8ive MC delivers a statement of purpose with this first proper album. He comments that the record was something “I needed to do for myself,” acknowledging a necessary step to prove his artistic worth and capacity to execute his full creative vision after a time away from the mic. The album unfolds across three distinct parts, expertly bridging golden-era hip-hop influences with a modern sound while guiding listeners through themes of identity, resilience, and mental health. With tracks that range from high-energy lyrical showcases to deep dives into self-doubt, like the song “Come Back Home,” the journey culminates in the joyful, humorous track “Boiled Peanuts,” highlighting the artist’s full humanity and triumphant creative return.
Steelheart Drops Remastered “Lips of Rain” From ‘Through Worlds of Stardust’
Steelheart, fronted by the phenomenal vocal prowess of Miljenko Matijevic, just delivered a fresh, passionate take on the cinematic track “Lips of Rain,” now globally available through Steelheart Records via The Orchard. This captivating song, which originally featured on the 2017 recording of the album ‘Through Worlds of Stardust’, has been remastered with enhanced sonic depth and clarity. Matijevic’s signature multi-octave range and ability to fuse raw vulnerability with powerful, sweeping rock instrumentation shine through completely, embodying his vision of “deep, sexy, loving, twisted, romantic, and hungry rock ‘n’ roll” that defined the original recording. Adding to the experience, the music video for “Lips of Rain,” which Matijevic directed himself, has already captivated 2.2 million viewers and was shot across stunning landscapes including the breathtaking Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah and the Malibu Hills. This re-release of ‘Through Worlds of Stardust’ allows both dedicated fans and new listeners to truly hear one of Steelheart’s most evocative songs in its most fully realized, powerful form yet.
Vukovi Announces January and February UK Headline Run
The electrifying alt-rock duo Vukovi has unveiled an extensive series of intimate headline performances set for January and February 2026, giving fans across the UK plenty of chances to catch their high-energy show. The run includes a highly anticipated appearance at the We Are One Festival in Cardiff and a very special collaboration event at Rebellion in Manchester. This particular show on February 18th will see Vukovi play a full set as part of a fantastic collaboration with developers Team17, celebrating the indie game ‘Rockbeasts’, which is a story-driven, role-playing management game centered on running an up-and-coming rock band. This tour promises fierce energy and unforgettable nights, making these limited first-release tickets absolutely essential.
TOUR DATES:
- 01/30 – Newcastle, Newcastle University
- 01/31 – Sheffield, Foundry
- 02/01 – Cardiff, We Are One Festival (Tramshed)
- 02/03 – Southampton, The 1865
- 02/04 – Brighton, Chalk
- 02/06 – Birmingham, XOYO
- 02/07 – Nottingham, Rescue Rooms
- 02/08 – Norwich, Waterfront Studio
- 02/10 – Edinburgh, The Mash House
- 02/11 – Aberdeen, Tunnels
- 02/18 – Manchester, Rebellion
Kezia Gill Kicks Off New Era With Gritty Revenge Anthem “Dublin’s Outta Whiskey”
UK country and Americana singer-songwriter Kezia Gill has launched a new era with the gritty, high-energy revenge anthem “Dublin’s Outta Whiskey,” the first single from her forthcoming album ‘All On Red’ and her first release since signing to Snakefarm/Universal. Co-written with Matt Stell and Clint Lagerberg in Nashville, the track is a brooding barroom stomper featuring Gill’s trademark soaring vocals delivered with authority. She calls it “the ultimate revenge song for the woman scorned,” setting the stage for her ‘All On Red’ UK Headline Tour.
All On Red UK Headline Tour Dates:
- 2/17/26 – Leeds @ Brudenell
- 2/18/26 – Glasgow @ Saint Luke’s
- 12/19/26 – Newcastle @ Digital
- 12/20/26 – Nottingham @ Rock City
- 12/21/26 – Manchester @ Club Academy
- 12/24/26 – Norwich @ Waterfront
- 12/25/26 – London @ Islington Assembly Hall
- 12/27/26 – Exeter @ Phoenix
- 12/28/26 – Portsmouth @ Wedgewood Rooms
- 3/1/26 – Bristol @ The Lantern
CeCe Winans Delivers Spiritual Powerhouse Set Celebrating Three Decades At Tiny Desk
CeCe Winans’ remarkable voice transcends genre and generations, a monumental feat in the gospel and Christian music realms, and her Tiny Desk concert serves as a deeply moving journey through the many eras of her monumental career, celebrating the 30th anniversary of her solo debut ‘Alone in His Presence’. Winans laughed while admitting she dusted off songs she had not performed in decades to craft this incredible set, and that is without even touching the groundbreaking work she did alongside her brother BeBe Winans. From the joyous call and response of “Pray” to the audible gasp from the crowd at the opening line of “Alabaster Box,” and culminating in a heartfelt “Goodness of God” singalong, this performance is far more than just nostalgic. It stands as a profound reminder of Winans’ enduring spiritual and cultural impact, showcasing why this living legend, one of the most decorated gospel artists of all time, easily took the Tiny Desk straight to church.
SET LIST
- “Well, Alright”
- “Pray”
- “I Am”
- “More Than What I Wanted”
- “Alone in the Presence”
- “Alabaster Box”
- “Believe For It”
- “Come Jesus Come”
- “Goodness of God”
- “That’s My King”
Stanley Clarke’s 4EVER Delivers Robust, Virtuosic Jazz Fusion At Tiny Desk
Robust sound is always a central hallmark of bassist Stanley Clarke’s musicality, a fact immediately apparent at the Tiny Desk where a wall of amps was visible, underscoring his reminder to the audio team to ensure the sound feels good, not just reads well on the board. Clarke’s storied career, spanning decades, includes seminal work with titans like Chick Corea and Al Di Meola, alongside successful scoring for film and television. His solo albums from the mid-70s, including ‘Stanley Clarke’, ‘Journey to Love’, and ‘School Days’, cemented his status as a force in music and foreshadowed his 2022 designation as an NEA Jazz Master. Demonstrating his passion for spotlighting young talent, Clarke’s latest ensemble, 4EVER, features saxophonist Emilio Modeste, drummer Jeremiah Collier, guitarist Colin Cook, violinist Evan Garr, and keyboardist Cameron Graves, all of whom rose to the challenge immediately. They opened with “Song to John” from 1975’s ‘Journey to Love’ before “Yesterday Princess,” from his 1974 self-titled album, gave violinist Garr a chance to shine. The performance moved into the electric realm with 2003’s smooth yet funky “1, 2, to the Bass,” closing powerfully with one of his biggest hits, “School Days,” proving that over five decades since his solo debut, Clarke still innovates with the solid fullness of his instrument.
SET LIST
- “Song to John”
- “Yesterday Princess”
- “1,2, to the Bass”
- “School Days”
Beenie Man Brings Maximum Velocity Dancehall Fire To The Tiny Desk
The King of Dancehall, Beenie Man, brought the full fire of Kingston to Washington D.C., overcoming his initial contemplation of the small office space to deliver a performance accustomed to maximum velocity on a giant stage. The man born Moses Anthony Davis paused to celebrate his incredible longevity, telling the crowd, “I’ve been doing music since the age of 5. I did my first single at the age of 7. Now I’m 50-something and I’m doing the same thing.” Just in time for the Black Music Month anniversary theme, his most commercially successful album, ‘Art and Life’, turned 25, marking an exciting moment for the artist who recently had his work visa reinstated after a ten-year ban from the United States. With real dancehall fans front and center holding flags, easing any doubts he might have had, Beenie Man powered through a decades-spanning set of club classics that proved why he remains absolutely vital.
SET LIST
- “Who Am I”
- “Romie”
- “Girls Dem Sugar”
- “Toy Friend”
- “Miss L.A.P.”
- “Let Him Go”
- “Dude”
- “King of the Dancehall”
- “Rum & RedBull”
Rico Nasty Delivers Full-Force Rager Rockstar Triumph At Tiny Desk
Rico Nasty’s boundless artistry finally exploded at the actual Tiny Desk, four years after her electrifying home concert, delivering a full-force performance that showcases the rapper, rager, and rockstar in all her complexity. Performing for a packed house of Nasty Mob members, family, and hometown supporters, the DMV native told the crowd, “There is a connection that I have with you guys,” adding, “It just makes me feel very safe,” which clearly fueled her fierce set. Five years after her debut studio album ‘Nightmare Vacation’, Rico has fully evolved, and her latest project ‘LETHAL’ finds her completely confident in the unique lane she has built, expertly blending vulnerability and bold attitude. At the Desk, Rico let every facet of herself shine, transitioning seamlessly from explosive tracks like “SMOKE BREAK” to a smooth, reimagined version of “ON THE LOW,” and then showcasing the tender resonance of “SMILE,” a beautiful song dedicated to her son. Rico delivered a carefully curated show that highlights every corner of her musical identity while leaving an unforgettable mark on the iconic space.
SET LIST
- “WHO WANT IT”
- “TEETHSUCKER (YEA3X)”
- “ON THE LOW”
- “Tia Tamera”
- “SON OF A GUN”
- “SMOKE BREAK”
- “Smack a Bitch”
- “CRASH”
- “CAN’T WIN EM ALL”
- “SMILE”
Takács Quartet Celebrates 50 Years Of Sublime Chamber Music Mastery At Tiny Desk
Mapping out a massive 50th-anniversary tour that included dozens of stops in global cities like Seoul, London, Milan, and Vancouver, the esteemed Takács Quartet honored the Tiny Desk with a special Washington D.C. visit. Cellist András Fejér, the quartet’s sole original member, commands a goldmine of institutional memory, having co-founded the group in communist Hungary and guiding it through a defection to Boulder, Colorado, where the members still teach. This Tiny Desk set served as a brilliant microcosm of the band’s broad-minded programming creed, beginning in the 18th century with pioneer Joseph Haydn, whose false cadences brought humor as the themes were passed around like delicious canapés. They transitioned into a quirky waltz from ‘Flow: III. Quark Scherzo,’ a new piece written specifically for them by Nokuthula Ngwenyama, and finally performed a plucky, shimmering, and magical movement from Maurice Ravel’s 1903 String Quartet in F. As violinist Edward Dusinberre told the audience, “Somehow the medium inspires composers to express themselves in their most daring, imaginative and humorous ways,” and for five decades, the Takács Quartet has been the eloquent voice for those composers.
SET LIST
- Joseph Haydn: String Quartet in D minor, Op. 42: IV. Finale
- Nokuthula Ngwenyama: Flow: III. Quark Scherzo
- Maurice Ravel: String Quartet in F major: II. Assez vif – très rythmé
Gillian Welch And David Rawlings Return To Tiny Desk With Timeless Mystical Brilliance
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings returned to the Tiny Desk fifteen years after their last visit, presenting their timeless music with the same core elements: two guitars, two voices, and thirty-plus years of stunning performance chemistry. Facing each other across the Desk, the duo immediately established an auditory illusion with the ballad “Empty Trainload of Sky,” where their guitars chugged and vocal harmonies swirled surrealistic imagery over a classic American musical canvas. The set included the track “Lawman,” a song whose themes of corrupt politics feel equally relevant whether set a century ago or yesterday, and “Hashtag,” a brilliant tribute to the late Guy Clark that manages to be both tragicomic and deeply existential. These songs, all from last year’s album ‘Woodland’, endure change with grace by leaning into small, intimate moments. Welch and Rawlings closed powerfully with “Revelator,” a mystic brew of personal history and apocalyptic prophecy from their significant 2001 leveling-up, letting their simmering harmonies bloom and wither before bursting through Rawlings’ reflective, ravaging guitar solos, ensuring the profound feeling reverberated long after the final chord faded.
SET LIST
- “Empty Trainload of Sky”
- “Lawman”
- “Hashtag”
- “Revelator”