After a sixteen-year hiatus, Clipse’s return to the Tiny Desk was meticulously pieced together, culminating in a performance the duo insisted must capture their signature sound: hard synths and even harder drums, with absolutely no “jazzy renditions” allowed. Hybrid drummer Daru Jones, who previously played with The LOX, was the crucial first choice, perfectly blending electronic and traditional drum sounds to provide the needed sonic authenticity that made everything else instantly fall into place. The excitement for the Thornton brothers’ return reached a peak as someone in the crowd instantly yelled “Oh my god!” at the opening note of “Virginia,” kicking off a relentless set that coasted through classics like “Keys Open Doors” and “Momma I’m So Sorry” from their celebrated album ‘Hell Hath No Fury’. Witnessing the dichotomy between Pusha T and Malice up close was fascinating; Malice was collected and intensely scanned the room while his brother was far more animated, even letting out a sinister laugh mid-set. Recorded weeks ago, the duo performed new tracks from their latest album ‘Let God Sort Em Out’ for the first time, including the chilling dedication to their deceased parents, “Birds Don’t Sing,” before delivering the moment everyone was waiting for in “Grindin’.”
SET LIST
- “Virginia”
- “Keys Open Doors”
- “Momma I’m So Sorry”
- “Chains & Whips”
- “Birds Don’t Sing”
- “Grindin'”