Detroit's Big Sean performs 14 hits in new NPR's Tiny Desk concert

Detroit rapper Big Sean performed one of the longest setlists in NPR's Tiny Desk history while talking about his roots and teasing his fifth studio album.

The 26-minute concert, posted to NPR Music's YouTube page Wednesday, featured 14 songs with a small string quartet.

Tiny Desk Concerts is a video series of intimate live sets hosted by NPR Music at the desk of "All Songs Considered" in their newsroom in Washington, D.C.

The series has become notable for hosting some of the biggest musical acts like Yo-Yo Ma, Adele and 600 others in the middle of a quiet floor, surrounded by cubicles and workers of NPR. The rule is all equipment for the concert has to fit behind the desk without the use of fancy electric systems or effects. The authenticity of Tiny Desk has gained a cult following and garnered millions of viewers on each video.

It's Sean Anderson's first Tiny Desk concert, in which he wore a Beastie Boys shirt and a special Detroit Tigers/J Dillia baseball cap that he left on the set as a memento - most artists who play the Tiny Desk leave a small piece behind on its shelves.

This wasn't just another appearance for him. "It's something my kids can look back on, something my family can look back on to see where I was at in my career," he said before closing.

He started with "Memories," the intro to his second album "Hall of Fame." He also sang his 2015 Grammy-award-winning collaboration with Kanye West and John Legend, "One Man Can Change the World," which was released on his third studio album, "Dark Sky Paradise." He paused between breaks, noticing several Detroiters who filled the room. He also teased a new song he dedicated to his partner and R&B artist Jhene Aiko and their son, Noah.

"I appreciate that support. I am a blog-era mix tape rapper," he said. "I had to build my fanbase organically. There wasn't no playlist or streaming at the time... to make it out of there, it wasn't easy... It really made me who I am."

Advisory: This video contains explicit language.

SET LIST

• "Memories"
• "Nothing Is Stopping You"
• "Blessings"
• "Play No Games"
• "Light"
• "My Last"
• "Marvin & Chardonnay"
• "All Me"
• "Beware"
• "I Know"
• "Bounce Back"
• "One Man Can Change The World"
• "On Up"
• "I Don't F*** With You"

srahal@detroitnews.com