One of my favorite things to do almost as soon as I wake up is tune into NPR’s Tiny Desk Performances. Not only does it give me a feel for how some of my favorite artists sound live, it’s just a good way for me to set the tone for my intentions and start my day on a positive note. It has gradually become a vital component of my morning routine, especially if I know/notice that one of my faves has performed/will be performing.

Disclaimer: It’s mostly R&B/Hip-Hop, for no other reason than that’s just been the groove and mood I’ve been in lately, and probably for the past few years. This is where the roots of my love begin.

With that said, I decided to carefully curate a list - in no particular order - of some of my favorites of the performances I’ve seen. Hopefully, someone will be inspired to zone out and make a jam session out of this list or maybe even discover a new fave. Either way, find time to sit back, pretend like I made this playlist especially for you, and enjoy.

no.01 // Big K.R.I.T.

March 5, 2018 | Rodney Carmichael -- Grandmothers never truly die. Especially not when they bear as much influence on your life as Big K.R.I.T.'s grandmother has on his. The Mississippi spitter has kept her spirit alive through his music since his breakout mixtape, K.R.I.T.

no.02 // Mac Miller

Watch Mac Miller play "Small Worlds", "What's the Use? (Feat. Thundercat)" and "2009" at the Tiny Desk. More from NPR Music: Tiny Desk Concerts: https://www.npr.org/tinydesk Twitter: https://twitter.com/nprmusic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nprmusic Aug. 6, 2018 | Bobby Carter -- There was a shift in Mac Miller's boisterous demeanor as he started the third of his three-song Tiny Desk set.

no.03 // Ari Lennox

Watch Ari Lennox play "Speak To Me", "Pop", "New Apartment" and "Shea Butter Baby" at the Tiny Desk. More from NPR Music: Tiny Desk Concerts: https://www.npr.org/tinydesk Twitter: https://twitter.com/nprmusic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nprmusic Sept. 25, 2019 | Bobby Carter -- When Ari Lennox entered NPR Headquarters to perform at the Tiny Desk, we soon learned she was a little under the weather.

no.04 // Layla Hathaway

July 25, 2018 | Felix Contreras -- Lalah Hathaway comes from royalty: Her late father Donny Hathaway's voice was crucial for my generation, setting the bar for inspired, old-school soul singing. But living in that kind of shadow can also be a burden, robbing the offspring of an identity apart from that of the famous parent.

no.05 // Lucky Daye

Watch Lucky Daye play "Roll Some Mo", "Misunderstood" and "Late Night" at the Tiny Desk. May 28, 2019 | Sidney Madden -- Sometimes, a Tiny Desk is just meant to be. NPR Music's Bobby Carter and I have been checking for Lucky Daye since last year when we dubbed him one of the "Kings of R&B."