Ivan Cornejo: Tiny Desk Concert

This Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 NPR Music celebrates artists from all corners of Latinidad with an 'El Tiny' takeover.

Amamaria Sayre | September 26, 2024
Whether in a stadium of 75,000 or behind a desk in an office building, Ivan Cornejo sings two notes and the heart quiets. His voice invites harmony, reflection, llorando, gritando — whatever the listener needs to feel whole again.

The 20-year-old Mexican American has emerged as a happy anomaly in recent years — a singer-songwriter who not only captivates audiences with excruciatingly descriptive lyricism but also invokes an ancestral wisdom. Cornejo voices the pains of adolescence in styles and sounds that refuse to fit boxes; he communicates in a language that makes fans feel both different and true.

The singer, endearingly nervous at the Tiny Desk, found a perfect home in the intimate space for some rockier arrangements of his hit “Ya Te Perdí” and a softer performance of the genre-pushing “Baby Please.” He ends the show with a performance of “J.,” which he dedicates to the girl who broke his heart. In Cornejo’s infinite shades of blue, we all find ourselves a little grateful for heartbreak.

SET LIST
“Aquí Te Espero”
“Baby Please”
“Mirada”
“Ya Te Perdí”
“J.”

MUSICIANS
Ivan Cornejo: vocals
Gonzalo Cordero Riquelme: guitar
Ricardo Ramos: guitar
Edgar Alejandro Cornejo: bass
Pepe Hidalgo Ramos:drums
Special thanks to: Rob Trujillo

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Anamaria Sayre
Director/Editor: Joshua Bryant
Audio Technical Director: Josephine Nyounai
Host/Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Kara Frame, Maia Stern, Mitra I. Arthur
Audio Engineer: Josh Newell
Production Assistant: Elle Mannion
Photographer: Zayrha Rodriguez
Tiny Desk Team: Hazel Cills, Ashley Pointer
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins

#nprmusic #tinydesk #ivancornejo

[stephaniemonsi]

Ivan's voice is just perfect, Simple as that.

[oscarx]

0:15 - Aqui te espero
5:05 - Baby please
8:33 - Mirada
12:03 - Ya te perdi
17:02 - J.

[karinag]

Him mentioning Mac Miller really made me love him so much more!!! Ivan did such an amazing job!

[LizzieAstorga]

I had the pleasure of opening some of Ivan's shows last year and I will forever keep that positive experience in my heart. They are all so down to earth and am so glad that light is being shed on incredible Mexican artists like him.

[elshreditor]

thing that makes me enjoy Ivan's music is that not only he plays corridos tumbados but he blends acoustic alt R&B music, which I enjoy so much. It hits the soul man

[InzaneFilmz]

Me snd my sons mom saw you when you played at Chicago before 2 years ago.. she passed away this January and i know she would of loved your new album. I play the bass guitar and i learned all yours songs for her.. I just hope you see this comment and know that you help me through it all 💯

[thalinacrystalsalinas]

This version of “Ya te Perdí” sounds very Coldplay inspired and I LOVE IT

[CHRIXXTIXN]

Nomás falto "Intercambio Injusto" 💔😞

[MaximoRespeto]

Ivan Cornejo will always be underrated regardless of how good the rating is.

[uriel_]

ESA VERSIÓN DE "YA TE PERDÍ" ES

[natalierodriguez]

I keep coming back here because his voice my gosh it’s one of the strongest on tiny desk so good every song

[joelviramontes]

Ivan Cornejo es un talentazo🔥 arriba la raza de mexico 🇲🇽

[nikkilovexo]

Love Ivan Cornejo and his music! Especially "Baby Please" and "Mirada" it made me cry lowkey... So beautiful! His band plays so good and the electric guitarist plays beautifully! So cool! <3

[MitsuZaki]

Su más reciente álbum me parece una muy agradable escucha y verlo desempeñarse tan bien en Tiny Desk es genial. Sin duda unos grandes Ivan y sus colaboradores en esta sesión.

[jasonlopez]

Ivan es increíble! Me encanta su musica y verlo en Tiny desk es muy profundo y da orgullo lo bien que lo hizo! Just wow!

[Vincentmendez]

May God keep guiding you Ivan and your band ! This was amazing

[selenag]

I love the way he writes his breakup songs. It’s lyrics that touch the soul and has depth that makes you reflect.

[RisingShadow]

Ivan is a pioneer, his style pushes boundaries with his moody and mealodic songs. So happy to see him do a tiny desk.

[James_deen]

Ivan’s voice is truly one-of-a-kind, blending the soulful depth of smooth jazz with the edge and energy of alternative rock. His sound feels like an experience—rich and mellow in one moment, then raw and electrifying in the next. This combination creates a texture that’s both timeless and modern, making each song feel like it transcends genres. Ivan’s voice resonates in a way that sticks with you, drawing you in with its warmth and intensity. There’s something captivatingly unique about his style—it’s like he’s reinventing familiar sounds into something completely fresh and “bonifico, ” leaving a lasting impression that feels both comforting and thrilling.

[AurorauraElevated]

tiny desk killed my vibe (crying) with that ad placement in the last song!!!