Black Thought and El Michels Affair already have one of the best albums of the year. Glorious Game was released to high praise and even landed on some Billboard charts and just in case you couldn’t get enough of their collaborative LP, they brought it right into your living room. The team made an appearance on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon for a performance of the title track from their terrific new album. Along with the incredible KIRBY on the hook, Thought and El Michels Affair brought the single to life with a dimly lit performance that only makes us appreciate the nuances of their collaboration even more.
With bandleader Leon Michels on the flute, the band was in full swing and captured the minimalism of the studio version perfectly. Thought’s veteran status is never in question but the way he controlled the stage with a statuesque presence and minimal movement proves just how powerful his verses are while KIRBY’s stirring vocals added to the soulfulness of it all. The performance swells to an incredible horn solo before the acrobatic singing of the songstress meets the trumpet eye-to-eye for some impressive melodies.
Glorious Game has not only won over the hearts of hip-hop and soul fans but has seen some commercial success as well. This week the album debuted at #20 on Top Current Album Sales, #24 on Top Album Sales, and #15 on Vinyl Album Sales according to an Instagram post from Big Crown Records.
Check out Black Thought and El Michels Affair perform “Glorious Game” with KIRBY below.
