Photo by John-Mark Kuznietsov
Various Black artists perform in a comfortable office setting as part of NPR Tiny Desk, a small-scale concert series. The NPR Tiny Desk concert series, which debuted in 2008, has grown to be a well-liked venue for musicians to display their skills in a small-scale environment. From well-known performers to up-and-coming artists, Tiny Desk events feature a variety of musical styles, including indie rock, hip-hop, and Afrobeats. It’s where artistic expression, musical skill, and unadulterated passion come together. With millions of views on the internet, it has amassed a devoted following. It is proof of the ability of music to bring people together despite unpolished performances in a modest setting.
Leon Bridges
In 2015, Leon Bridges performed an array of classic hits, including “Coming Home,” “Smooth Sailin’,” “Twistin’ & Groovin’,” and “River,” at Tiny Desk. Unafraid to perform any of his classics, Bridges commanded the workplace with some of the most captivating, powerful vocal runs ever captured on camera. Bridges’ musical DNA is easily recognized for its traces of Sam Cooke, and his performance style is also recognizable. He uses his voice to convey pleasure and spirituality. It’s a transformative, life-changing eighteen minutes of enchantment.
Source – Leon Bridges: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert
Adekunle Gold
Adekunle Gold’s album “Catch Me If You Can” was released on the same day of his performance, which happened to be Music Month. He expertly performed hits from “Catch Me If You Can” and his debut album, “Afro Pop Vol. 1,” during the set, giving an enthralling performance full of fire, great vocals, and plenty of charm.
Source – Adekunle Gold: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert
Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson—aka H.E.R.
H.E.R.’s Tiny Desk performance was nothing short of breathtaking. Her soulful voice, combined with her masterful guitar playing, created an atmosphere of raw emotion. From the moment she started, it was clear that she was in her element. Tracks like “Focus” and “Hard Place” showcased her versatility and were a powerful statement. H.E.R.’s performance is a reminder of the power of stripped-down music and the importance of vulnerability in artistry.
Source – H.E.R.: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert
Usher
Usher performed exceptionally well on Tiny Desk. The backing vocals by Veedo and Eric Bellinger were excellent, and the arrangement was outstanding. We were enthralled with Usher’s command of the room, and everyone was ready to sing along with his whole catalog while they completed their Saturday morning duties. His R&B masterpiece of a performance showcased his impressive vocal range and stage presence. He was still at the top of his game since it was the ideal combination of his older and more recent songs.
Source – Usher: Tiny Desk Concert
Tems
Tems gave an almost perfect performance at her Tiny Desk session. Her sultry and captivating voice, backed by exquisite instrumentals, brought her songs to life, perhaps even more so than the studio versions themselves. Her Tiny Desk performance was truly captivating. Her unique voice, combined with the raw emotion she brings to her music, made it a standout. She skillfully incorporated songs from her most recent EP, “If Orange Was A Place,” with some of her older compositions during this concert, which came right after its publication.
Anand Subramanian is a freelance photographer and content writer based out of Tamil Nadu, India. Having a background in Engineering always made him curious about life on the other side of the spectrum. He leapt forward towards the Photography life and never looked back. Specializing in Documentary and Portrait photography gave him an up-close and personal view into the complexities of human beings and those experiences helped him branch out from visual to words. Today he is mentoring passionate photographers and writing about the different dimensions of the art world.
