Clipse's Emotional Comeback on 'The Tonight Show' After 15 Years, New Album Debuts
July 16, 2025
The performance and album reflect Clipse's unhurried approach to releasing music, focusing on meaningful content and personal reflection.
The song's title and themes draw inspiration from Maya Angelou's 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,' emphasizing pain and suffering related to family.
Produced by Pharrell Williams, the album features collaborations with prominent artists like Kendrick Lamar, Tyler, the Creator, Nas, The-Dream, and Ab-Liva, blending themes of family, faith, and lyrical depth.
This performance coincided with the release of their highly anticipated album 'Let God Sort Em Out' on July 11, 2025, their first album as a duo since 2009, which has received critical acclaim.
The album's themes are deeply personal, reflecting on loss and remembrance, especially the passing of their parents, Mildred Thornton and Gene Elliott Thornton, in 2021 and 2022.
During their performance, Pusha T opened with heartfelt lyrics about their mother's loss, while images of their parents were displayed on stage, emphasizing the emotional weight of their message.
They performed their song 'The Birds Don’t Sing,' which is part of the new album, highlighting themes of pain, family, and nostalgia, resonating strongly with the audience.
The duo's performance featured Pusha T starting with the opening verses, followed by a female singer covering John Legend's part, with No Malice joining later, adding emotional depth.
This appearance is part of a broader promotional effort for their North American tour beginning in August 2025, their first in 16 years, with stops in major cities across the U.S.
Stage visuals included photos of their late parents, enhancing the emotional impact of their tribute, with images of their family displayed during the performance.
Their recent album has revitalized appreciation for lyrical content in hip-hop, and the performance showcased their lyrical prowess and emotional depth.
In a significant musical comeback, Clipse performed on 'The Tonight Show' on July 16, 2025, marking their first appearance in nearly a decade and a half.
Summary based on 7 sources
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Sources

Rolling Stone • Jul 16, 2025
Watch Clipse Showcase Emotional Track ‘The Birds Don’t Sing’ on ‘Fallon’
Billboard • Jul 16, 2025
Clipse Pay Tribute to Parents With Moving ‘The Birds Don’t Sing’ Performance on ‘Tonight Show’
iHeart • Jul 16, 2025
Clipse Honor Their Late Parents While Performing 'The Birds Don't Sing'