GRUNGECAKE

Category: Performance Video

  • Nigeria’s Asake brings Afro-Fusion brilliance to NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series: Watch

    The Nigerian star delivers a soulful, high-energy set that showcases his blend of Afrobeats, Fuji, and Amapiano in an intimate performance.

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    Nigerian artist Asake delivered a spirited and soulful performance for NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series, blending infectious rhythms with heartfelt vocals in an intimate studio setting. The performance, released today, showcased the singer’s signature mix of Afrobeats, Fuji, and Amapiano, reaffirming his place as one of the genre’s most innovative voices.

    Supported by a full live band—including talking drums, percussion, keyboards, and backup singers—Asake opened with ‘Sunshine’, immediately setting a vibrant yet reflective tone. His setlist also included fan favorites like ‘Lonely at the Top’, ‘Peace Be Unto You (PBUY)’, and ‘Remember’, each reimagined with live instrumentation that highlighted the warmth and depth of his sound.

    Throughout the twenty-minute session, Asake balanced energy and emotion, gliding effortlessly between Yoruba, Pidgin, and English lyrics. The performance gave listeners a glimpse into his artistry beyond studio production, revealing a more vulnerable, spiritual side of the star known for high-tempo hits and crowd-thrilling stage shows.

    Asake joins fellow Nigerian artists like Burna Boy and Tems, who have appeared on Tiny Desk, signalling the growing influence of Afrobeats on global platforms. The performance not only celebrated Asake’s rise but also highlighted the continued worldwide appreciation for contemporary African music.

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo0UxS6lnjA&h=315]

    With his Tiny Desk Concert, Asake proved that even in a stripped-down space, his sound remains larger than life—radiating rhythm, soul, and unmistakable joy.

  • Watch St Panther’s performance video for soulful R&B single ‘The Deal’

    If you listen closely, you may feel like you’re hearing inspiration from D’Angelo’s ‘Untitled (How Does It Feel)’, which would be a timely heartwarming tribute to the late multiple GRAMMY-winning music icon. He passed away from pancreatic cancer on October 14.

    Two days ago, St Panther (they/them) released a soulful R&B single called ‘The Deal’. Shot live at Haven Studio in Los Angeles, California, they sing about a partner who doesn’t seem to understand the full scope of their happenings, outsiders pushing them to change, and learning to let go and wanting to play the long game before times changed.

    Regarding the new single, St Panther said:

    “Now I’m not sure if it’s always right to, but I tend to put music where prolonged silences live. I’m not sure why it’s so hard to say what sometimes only music can, but in this case, I wish someone had known me better and wanted to write a song like Dido’s ‘White Flag’ shortly afterward, a song that said—if nothing else—my love was true.”

    Watch the performance video below, directed by Julian Budge, to see St Panther, their various longtime collaborators, and the forthcoming EP’s co-producer, McClenny (HER, Khalid, Jamila Woods). The single is taken from their forthcoming EP titled ‘Strange World’, set to release on November 7.

    If you’re new to this space and it is your first time coming across St Panther’s music, we premiered their song ‘Infrastructure’ from HBO’s Insecure five years ago. We’ve been mesmerised.

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyVVeUDD-t8&h=315]

  • Watch Lady Gaga’s theatrical performances of ‘Abracadabra’ and ‘The Dead Dance’ at the 2025 MTV VMAs

    À la Disco!

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    There’s a reason why the Queen of Pop was the most-nominated artist, receiving twelve times in 2025! Last night at the 2025 MTV VMAs, the network aired a pre-taped performance from Lady Gaga’s sold-out show at the renowned Madison Square Garden in New York City on September 6. In the clip, she sang two songs—one from her new album ‘Mayhem’ (‘Abracabra’) and another (’The Dead Dance’) from Netflix’s soundtrack for its series ‘Wednesday’.

    It’s been a while since we’ve all had the pleasure of watching Lady Gaga’s showmanship, her warm cheer, the camaraderie she shows to other artists by rising to her feet to clap for them—like she did with Ariana Grande for Lola Young—just ahead of collecting the Artist of the Year award, and how she eloquently addresses the public when she speaks. We celebrate Lady Gaga endlessly, as her concern and support for the general public always seems to come first. Check out the playback of the incredible performance.

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHs1LCir63Q&h=315]

  • Watch Doja Cat’s sultry performance of ‘Jealous Type’ with Kenny G at the 2025 MTV VMAs

    “Oh, I’m jealous”

    Giving the world an outstanding performance isn’t new for American superstar Doja Cat! Last night to open the 2025 MTV VMAs, the ‘Jealous Type’ singer-rapper teamed up with the legendary Smooth Jazz saxophonist and musician Kenny G to deliver an electric eighties-inspired performance—laced with sultry and exquisite and choreographed moves fitting to the era—for the lead single from her exciting forthcoming album, ‘Vie’. It was the first time she performed it live. Check out the four-minute-plus video below to relive the moment, or watch it for the first time!

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXDCs3D5iDU&h=315]

    It was her third time performing at the VMAs. In 2021, she made her debut singing ‘Been Like This’ and ‘You Right’. Two years later, she performed shortened versions of singles (’Attention’, ‘Paint the Town Red’, and ‘Demons’) from her album ‘Scarlet’. Doja Cat’s album ‘Vie’ comes out on September 26.

    [/media-credit] Vie album cover

  • Watch Ruger perform his new single ‘Toro’ on A COLORS SHOW

    Last week, A COLORS SHOW released a new episode featuring Nigerian Afro-Fusion superstar Ruger. During the three-minute performance, the breakout singer-songwriter sang ‘Toro’ from his forthcoming sophomore album ‘BlownBoy Ru’ out on March 28. Wearing his signature black eye patch and bright pink lowcut hair, the award-nominated artist — known for his hit record ‘Asiwaju’ — croons about the end of a long relationship that lasted for seven years. This new album is the follow-up to his 2023 debut album ‘Ru the World’. Check out the performance below as we wait for the album.

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    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQTfhYlTpK0&h=315]

  • Watch North Carolina’s multi-faceted star Morray’s ‘Mud Baby’ live performance video

    He’s back from a four-year hiatus.

    In a room (perhaps) made to resemble the Union Street station in Brooklyn, New York, GRAMMY-nominated artist Morray performs the new single, ‘Mud Baby’.

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1684kS4bTE&h=315]

    On the track, the Fayetteville legend sings about going through rough times, being a rockstar to his kids, and his reality. On the rest of the tape, the artist, boasting over 200 million views on YouTube, covers backstabbers in his busy life on ‘Take Me Serious’ and going hard without trying on ‘FTA (Failure to Appear)’. Check out the performance video below to watch the stadium-booked star deliver his deep lyrics in front of a dark room juxtaposing flickering lights.

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    The record ‘Mud Baby’ is from the young father’s new twelve-track tape ‘Long Story Short’, available now through Morray Music and EMPIRE. You can listen to the entire project below. It is thirty-three minutes long.

  • Watch Ice Spice’s freestyle performance on On The Radar

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    Flexing new fresh carrot-coloured tresses and her controversial body frame, Ice Spice dazzles as she raps about a partner who wasn’t authentic to her, feeling like a star when she’s back on her block in The Bronx and how fellow rappers want her to flop—the beat samples Corinne Bailey Rae’s ‘Like A Star’ released fifteen years ago. Watch the entire performance below.

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7RkJIBXtHc&h=315]

  • Tyka Nelson, Prince’s sister, cause of death revealed

    She was Prince’s only full sister.

    Based on TMZ’s coverage, Tyka Nelson—sister to the deceased icon Prince—passed away due to congestive heart failure connected to a weakened heart due to substance abuse. According to the death certificate obtained by The Minnesota Department of Health, the primary cause of death is cardiac arrest. She was pronounced dead forty-five minutes later. After announcing her retirement, Nelson was meant to have a farewell concert. However, she fell sick and could not follow through.

    We send our deepest condolences to the family, her two sons and her friends. May Tyka Nelson rest in peace.

  • Shaboozey performs ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy)’ live at Vevo Studios: Watch

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    Vevo, the world’s leading music video network, announces the release of Shaboozey‘s live performance of ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy)’, off his album ‘Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going’.

    Shaboozey blends Country and Hip-Hop genres, creating songs that feel as epic as a movie; gripping, unpredictable, immense in scope but rooted in raw emotion. On his new album, ‘Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going’, Shaboozey charts a cinematic road trip through the wilds of the American West, bringing a powerful new depth to his storytelling whilst pushing further into the Country/Folk-inspired sound he’s explored in recent years.

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFKdtPLt7pc&h=315]

    Originally from Northern Virginia, Shaboozey pulls inspiration from other DMV artists like Missy Elliot, Pharell and Timbaland. After a decade of perfecting his sound, Shaboozey skyrocketed to the mainstream after being featured in two songs on Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ album: ‘Sweet Honey Buckiin’ and ‘Spaghetti’. His album, ‘Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going’, was released shortly after, with the standout single ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy)’, built around J-Kwon’s 2004 hit, ‘Tipsy’. The track most recently became the longest-running #1 single in the Hot 100 of 2024, having now been in the top spot for eight weeks and counting.

    “I’ve been doing music for such a long time, I’ve put a lot of time and years into it”, Shaboozey said in a recent interview, “I put so much into it that I feel like it’s just cool to see it working. Everybody hopes it works. To see it actually working, it’s unreal.”

    On Vevo, Shaboozey has garnered over 147 million global views in 2024 so far, with the official video for ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy)’ currently Vevo’s #1 most-viewed country video this year.

  • Watch Nigeria’s FirstKlaz perform ‘Gen-Z Faaji’ featuring Joeboy with a live band

    Two days ago, the Abuja, Nigeria-based studio Alien Prose released performance footage of the young rising star FirstKlaz’s duet with fellow Nigerian artist Joeboy. In the video, the artist dances, wearing ripped blue jeans, a mustard hat that matches the tie he wore with a suit jacket, and tennis shoes. Watch the 4:44 video to hear how FirstKlaz sounds live, how he looks off Instagram, and most importantly, how his music moves him. It’s a Dancehall twist to the Afrobeats original.

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvz1pKfTGUs&h=315]