Polo G Performs a Three-Track Set for NPR’s Tiny Desk Home Concert

Polo G is the latest artist featured in NPR’s ongoing concert series.

On Wednesday, NPR released the latest episode of its Tiny Desk (Home) Concert series. This time around, Chicago MC Polo G joined a live band (all clad in Los Angeles Lakers jerseys) on a basketball in California. He performed two tracks from his latest album, The Goat: “Flex” and “Wishing for a Hero,” as well as “Epidemic,” which he recorded at the beginning of COVID-19 quarantine. Stream the full performance below.

It’s been an eventful year for Polo G, despite the pandemic. Back in May, The Goat debuted at number two on the Billboard Hot 200 chart. Three months ago, he was named a member of the 2020 XXL Freshman class. In September, he performed on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. With all the success, the 21-year-old is taking things slowly to enforce a sort of quality control to his output.

“I don’t go to the studio and try to make 10 songs in one night, five songs in one night,” he told Okayplayer shortly after the album’s release. “I limit the amount of music that I try to make because I don’t want anything sounding like the same thing I just recorded. I don’t want anything to be too oversaturated or me running on fumes.”

The backing band is composed of Lamar Edwards on the keyboard, Vasjon Hill on drums, and Austin Cain on bass. Chris McCorkle plays lead guitar, while Shaunise Harris, Candice Boyd, and Nava Morris provide background vocals.