With his raspy voice, colorful wardrobe and fun-loving flair, Masego epitomizes the new school of music's next generation. He's able to combine his own style with an old-school attention to musicianship that is greatly appreciated in today's climate of disposable jams and easily forgotten projects. It's because of this that he's able to translate his songs to any live setting and why he completely killed during his recent stop by the NPR offices to participate in their Tiny Desk Concert Series.
Masego's fun-loving approach was evident from the very beginning when he first had comedian Lorenzo "Renny" Cromwell kick things off with a toy sax and Michael Jackson-esque rhinestone glove at the beginning of "Tadow." After entertaining his homie's antics, he took his rightful place in front of the band along with backing vocalist Lex Nelson to give the song a proper performance. He soon moved on to "Nayhoo" while throwing out big-faced bills featuring his own face to the crowd. During the track, he also kicked it back by adding a brief call-and-response using Cab Calloway's familiar "hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-ho" refrain from "Minnie The Moocher." He kept the antics and the music coming with performances of three other tracks — "Queen Tings," "Black Love" and "I Do Everything" — alternating between singing, rapping and playing his sax throughout them all. Most importantly, he showed that while he takes his craft very seriously that doesn't mean he can't have a good time while doing it.
Suffice it to say, this particular performance really makes us wish that we were actually in the number for this one. We can watch it and act like we were, though. You can, too, when you press play below.
