Obongjayar: Tiny Desk Concert

Bobby Carter | August 2, 2023
When I got downstairs to greet Obongjayar and his bandmates at NPR headquarters, they had already found their way over to some stationary bikes near the lobby to get the adrenaline pumping. OB and crew seemed shy but ready for this moment. During the show, I witnessed my colleagues go from wiping away tears to bouncing and clapping within a matter of minutes. That emotional balance is Obongjayar’s Tiny Desk in a nutshell. He gave us everything.

The Nigerian-born, London-based Steven Umoh beelined it straight to the desk to dial in with the band. His towering presence, juxtaposed with a high-register tone that sometimes dips into a low growl, simply commands attention. I first learned of Obongjayar through Little Simz. He was featured on “Point and Kill,” which they performed for a Tiny Desk home concert in 2021. The following year, he dropped his debut album Some Nights I Dream of Doors. While most of the set focused on the best of Some Nights…, he also plays the newly released “Just Cool” before closing with the awe-inspiring protest cut, “Message in a Hammer.”

SET LIST
“Sugar”
“Frens”
“Just Cool”
“I Wish It Was Me”
“Message in a Hammer”

MUSICIANS
Obongjayar: lead vocal
Sam Jones: drums
Ciaran Corr: guitar
Mutale Chashi: bass, keys
Elias Atkinson: trumpet

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Bobby Carter
Director/Editor: Kara Frame
Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Creative Director: Bob Boilen
Videographers: Kara Frame, Joshua Bryant, Alanté Serene
Audio Assistant: Kwesi Lee
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Photographer: Keren Carrión
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Maia Stern, Hazel Cills
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

#tinydesk #obongjayar #nprmusic

[Obongjayar]

Thank you Tiny Desk that was a dream come true SUGA SUGA SUGA SUGA
Enjoy 💫 🫶🏿🦄😈

[fungibu]

If I had a brother who wrote a song like that about me, I would like to think I cherish it like armour for my own self worth. Probably one of the most beautiful gestures to a sibling ever.

[_all_around_us]

Me: "Never heard of them"
2 mins later: "SUGA, SUGA, SUGA"

[epitomeofmediocrity]

so glad OB has been getting more spotlight. always got fela kuti vibes from him. dude is the future.

[DonPasquale_]

Been one of my favourite artists since I heard his Little Simz feature, such a fantastic voice and effortlessly cool demeanour

[neehan]

The video of him singing I Wish It Was Me to his family was incredible. So raw and talented!

[natsaij.g]

Time stamps:
0:00 Sugar
3:26 Greetings-Frens
5:08 Just Cool
8:55 Band introductions
9:45 I Wish It Was Me
14:05 Message In A Hammer

[Boogalyhu]

This man’s vocals are electrifying and his writing is nothing short of genius.

[omogolo]

I'm hooked. I don't know him but wow 😮

[timileyinakinsanya]

He's like nothing I've heard before. He's a legend in the making

[majesticcasual]

Listening to this session gave me peace of mind... Thank you NPR! 🙏💌

[darcysdiary]

honestly, the music recommendations I get from Tiny Desk are better than my Spotify Discover could ever be

[mr.e]

YES FINALLY!!
bongjayar has been one of the most entertaining artists I've listened to in the past few years.
He is extremely creative, fun and engaging.
So glad he's finally getting more shine
Thank you Tiny Desk!

[mongoliandude]

For anyone who doesn’t know Obongjayar, he’s an INCREDIBLY versatile artist. You’re only seeing the tip of the iceberg here, so would recommend checking his stuff out in a big way.

[siphiwomzekandaba]

"adore u" brought me here.
"Sugar" blew my mind!
"I wish it was me" took me to a whole new level of feels!!
Great band! 🔥

[Olphas]

"I wish it was me" always hits me in the feels. Another beautiful rendition . Great session

[ChefRodKnight]

Wow! “I wish it was me” is a POWERFULLY BEAUTIFUL piece. Straight from the soul and so dang on honest!

[davidesparon]

For the record. The bassist, Mutale Chashi, is the same who played with Jorja Smith a few years ago, in her Tiny Desk show, right here.

[toomuchmustard]

Surprised no one's commented about how awesome OB's outfit is for this

[Hertradio]

He's not just talented but also he's representing every African culture, from jarabi like 'dessert rock to something that sounds like Ethiopian blues he's a legend