Hip-hop artists are known for making significant adjustments to their performances when playing at the Tiny Desk. The traditional set-up of two turntables and a microphone has evolved for some artists to include live bands. Ab-Soul, who rarely performs with a live band, hand-selected a group of musicians he calls the "Soulersystem" for his Tiny Desk set. He delivered an authentic and next-level lyricism from his most recent album, HERBERT. Prior to starting his set, he acknowledged that this year marks 50 years since the birth of hip-hop culture.
Ab-Soul, hailing from Carson, California, is a prime example of how rap music has developed. While his music includes feel-good party tracks, it's his music's depth, vulnerability, and wordplay that he's most recognized for. His performance at the Tiny Desk gives viewers a glimpse into his life, including memories of his friend DoeBurger, who passed away in 2021. Pictures displayed around the Desk show a snapshot of his childhood and his struggle with Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a rare disorder that caused him to go legally blind.
During his performance, Ab-Soul performed never-before-heard rhymes over instrumentals from his 2012 album, Control System. He successfully conveys the emotional shift between the two "BE LIKE THAT" verses, with the band adding subtle nuances throughout his performance. He concludes his set with "GOTTA RAP" and another exclusive verse that will undoubtedly generate discussion. Ab-Soul released his Tiny Desk performance on his birthday and considers it his "second second chance." His performance illustrates the progression and evolution of rap music over the last five decades.