Combining pop, hip-hop, funk, spoken word and musical theater

February 28, 2017 10:24 PM

New Orleans group Tank and the Bangas is the winner of the 2017 Tiny Desk Contest! The band conveys its freewheeling spirit through a sound that combines pop, hip-hop, funk, spoken word and musical theater. The band’s entry video — set in an art classroom — won over our judges with its undeniable, joyful energy. Lead vocalist Tarriona “Tank” Ball has a playful way with words, thanks in part to her roots in New Orleans’ slam poetry scene. The band has played festivals all over the country, and has opened for artists like Big Freedia and Lianne La Havas.
posted by tunewell (5 comments total)

I love their Tiny Desk video. There have a number of other songs on YouTube from the last few years --including an earlier version of this song under the name "Quick" -- which are not quite as well developed.

It's interesting comparing their earlier, more professional looking (yet less impressive) live and studio songs with the artfully constructed casualness of this winner.

The Brixton video is pretty cool too.
posted by msalt at 12:38 AM on March 1, 2017

Oh my god I'm in love.
posted by rtha at 8:20 AM on March 1, 2017

And here's Tank and the Bangas's video and song being introduced as the winner of the 2017 Tiny Desk Contest, with commentary from Bob Boilen, Trey Anastasio, and David Greene in the audio, and short comments from the other judges, Stas THEE Boss, a hip-hop DJ at NPR Member station KEXP and a former member of THEESatisfaction, and Rita Houston of Member station WFUV.
posted by filthy light thief at 8:34 AM on March 1, 2017 [1 favorite]

Thanks for sharing this.

And here I was thinking I couldn't possibly miss my native New Orleans anymore (born and raised there, now working in a cube during cool sunny days in Texas, and missing Mardi Gras like noone's business).
posted by the matching mole at 8:37 AM on March 1, 2017 [1 favorite]

This band absolutely kills it live. - sincerely, a native New Orleanian.
posted by nolabasashi at 10:38 AM on March 1, 2017 [3 favorites]