8Ball & MJG: Tiny Desk Concert

Credit: Photo: Vanessa CastilloThis Black Music Month, Tiny Desk celebrates the undeniable legacy of BET.Like the network that put Black artistry first, these sets reflect the essence of Black music.   As 8Ball & MJG entered the NPR building and made their way to the Desk, I couldn't help but be captivated by their evolution into rap music elder statesmen.

No scandal, no breakups — just two emcees in good health ready to get busy.These Memphis legends, steeped in the blues, capture the essence of Southern hip-hop.Unlike many of their '90s peers who leaned heavily on beat machines and samplers, 8Ball & MJG incorporate live instrumentation into their music.

That translates here, as the band kicks off the set with a few instrumental bars from "Pimps" before 8Ball goes straight into the title track off the 1993 debut album Comin' Out Hard.Then they fire off three songs from 2004's Living Legends and close with "Space Age Pimpin'."It's uncommon for our favorite groups to maintain their unity; when they do, the bonds often fade, leading to a strictly business-oriented relationship.

And, yet, 8Ball & MJG exemplify familial camaraderie, which radiates throughout their Tiny Desk concert.SET LISTMUSICIANSTINY DESK TEAM...