They’re giving a sonic salute to iconic albums!
This Black Music Month, NPR Music’s Tiny Desk is dialing up the volume on legacy. With a curated, month-long tribute honoring landmark album anniversaries, the platform is taking listeners on a journey through the heart of Black musical brilliance, where rhythm, resistance, and remembrance collide.
View this post on Instagramadvertisement
From June 1st through the end of the month, nine iconic albums will receive their flowers, each marking a milestone year in music history. Whether it’s the defiant fusion of Living Colour’s Time’s Up turning 35, or the 20-year resonance of Keyshia Cole’s soul-baring debut The Way It Is, these works represent more than just sound—they’re cultural artifacts, sonic time capsules of identity and expression.
The full list of Tiny Desk honored projects spans decades and genres, each with its own story etched into Black music’s timeline. Fans can tune in to see performances from the artists behind these groundbreaking albums, with the full list of honored performances including:
- Touch by Amerie with The Backyard Band (20 years)
- Alone in His Presence by CeCe Winans (30 years)
- In a Major Way by E-40 (30 years)
- The Way It Is by Keyshia Cole (20 years)
- Time’s Up by Living Colour (35 years)
- Kush & Orange Juice by Wiz Khalifa (15 years)
- School Days by Stanley Clarke (50 years)
- LUXURY by Alex Isley (10 years)
- Art and Life by Beenie Man (25 years)
“This year feels like the perfect time to stop and revere some of the greatest albums in Black Music,” said Bobby Carter, host and producer of Tiny Desk Concerts. “These artists might not be the first you hear in the Pop culture conversation, but they are crown jewels in Black culture. These are our icons.”
What began as an idea sparked by Chaka Khan’s unforgettable Tiny Desk performance has blossomed into a celebration that spans generations. In addition to the musical tributes, fans can expect electrifying new Tiny Desk performances and the return of Tiny Talks, short-form interviews bringing artists closer to the culture they help shape.
For over a decade, NPR Music has been a sanctuary for music lovers and creators alike. With storytelling projects like Jazz Night in America and Alt.Latino, they’ve built bridges between sound and society, championing the artistry and voices often overlooked in mainstream arenas.
As you follow the celebration this month at npr.org/music and across social media using #BlackMusicMonth, let these anniversaries remind you: the soundtrack of Black life is rich, layered, and still unfolding. The songs may be decades old, but their echoes continue to shape the present.
So tune in, turn it up, and honor the legacy, because in every beat, Black music is still making history.
Cover photo: NPR’s Tiny Desk Celebrates Black Music Month With Performances by Amerie, Beenie Man, CeCe Winans & More/Photo credit: NPR Music