videos

So. Damn. Good. Armand Hammer is incredible as always. I think the reason rap stands out to me more on Tiny Desk is two fold. First, I think rap is just better in a more intimate setting as opposed to someone rapping loudly and being played over excessive speakers in large venues; it just doesn’t carry well. Second, they almost always bring a full real band, with drums, guitar, bass, etc. Some rappers do travel with bands, but it’s not the norm. There’s just no beating real instruments in an intimate space, with charismatic leads.

I discovered Cure for Paranoia last year (or the year before..?) when they were doing a new rap song every day that got very political. It was superb. Then I learned about all their Tiny Desk submission videos: superb again. And this year, they won. The lyricism, the musicianship, the skill, and the performance. It's all there.

Angine de Poitrine performing live at ESMA in Rennes, France, during Trans Musicales 2025

I am fully obsessed with these guys. Are the outfits and stuff a gimmick? Sure. But they still jam. I said it before, but they feel like a mix of Khruangbin and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard and it's just a blast. It also has that GWAR performative nature to it, but it only adds to the music—it doesn't take away.