Music

Clipse ‘Take it Back to Where it All Began’ With 'Tiny Desk’ Rework of “Grindin’"

You've probably never heard the legendary Neptunes beat played like this before.

Clipse (L-R: Pusha T and Malice).
YouTube/NPR Music

Clipse took fans back to school desk nostalgia while performing their 2002 classic "Grindin'" on NPR Tiny Desk Concerts this week — check it out below.

During the performance, which premiered on Friday (July 11), "Grindin'" was the grand finale after the duo and their six-piece band ran through songs like "Virginia" and "Momma I'm So Sorry."

Pusha T and No Malice saved the best for last for their "day one Clipse family" around the 18:45 mark of the video. "Let's take it back to where it all began," King Push added.

But shortly after Clipse finished their verses, the song ended with drummer Daru Jones hopping on the desk to perform the iconic Neptunes beat by hand. The classic appeared on Clipse's debut album, 2002's Lord Willin'.

Clipse are also Complex cover stars this month and chatted with Pharrell Williams about Let God Sort 'Em Out, their first album in 16 years.

During the chat, Pusha T shared his thoughts on Kanye West saying that he misses their friendship after he heard the duo's recent single, "Ace Trumpets."

"I don't care about that at all,” Push said. “It's fine. I'm sure. I would miss me, too. I really would."

Pusha then explained the finality that comes with losing his respect. "I’m not in a position to where I can even risk and gamble with the wishy-washiness or the lack of loyalty," he explained. "I don't play like that. Why would I ever dive back into that type of scenario? I’m with my brother and Pharrell, come on."

"I don't even understand that lack of principles just amongst people you call your brother," he continued. "I don't get that. That's not for me."

In dedication to the 2002 single, last year, Pusha T developed coffee brand Grindin in select Café Tropical locations before it will soon have a nationwide release.

ComplexCon returns to Las Vegas on October 25–26, 2025, with over 300 brands and live performances by Young Thug, YEAT & Friends, Peso Pluma, Central Cee, Ken Carson, and more. Get your tickets now.

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