Fantastic Negrito: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

It says a lot that, with almost 7,000 entries to choose from, we selected Fantastic Negrito as the winner of our Tiny Desk Concert Contest. For his winning submission, he performed "Lost In A Crowd" in a freight elevator in Oakland. It was his passion, his voice and his backing band that landed him an invitation to perform behind my desk. We're proud of our choice.

As we learned after choosing him as our winner, Fantastic Negrito — a.k.a. Xavier Dphrepaulezz, pronounced dee-FREP-ah-lez — has a remarkable backstory. One of 15 children, he grew up in a strict home, and later signed a contract with Interscope Records in the '90s. That deal fell apart, though, and soured him on music-making. Then, a near-fatal car crash put him in a coma, and eventually left him without the proper use of his hands; he struggled with physical therapy for years to get some movement from what he now calls "The Claw."

These days, bolstered by a new outlook on life and music, he's reawakened and reemerged under the name Fantastic Negrito. You'll see that newly rediscovered purpose in his eyes and hear it in his voice, as he performs this Tiny Desk Concert with his fantastic band. -- BOB BOILEN

Set List
"Lost In A Crowd" 0:00
"Night Has Turned To Day" 6:30
"An Honest Man" 9:51

Credits
Producers: Bob Boilen, Maggie Starbard; Audio Engineer: Kevin Wait; Videographers: Colin Marshall, Nick Michael, Maggie Starbard; Assistant Producer: Morgan McCloy; photo by Morgan McCloy/NPR

[fantasticnegrito]

Thank you everyone for showing so much love and support on my incredible journey. I could not have achieved this without the the passion love and support from all of you! The people are my record company!!!

[violetxoxox]

I often stay up all through the night traveling the music universe on YouTube, praying I'll stumble across something truly amazing. Tonight has paid off.

[DavidSotoJr]

As soon a the first notes came out of his mouth I was hooked.

[botanyguy]

Congrats on your Grammy for best Contemporary Blues Album! You rock!!

[sivadbeauty]

Love when a performer can use their entire being as an instrument.

[celia]

Truly an awesome band. His voice reached way, way back into the past, into the roots of the blues, and then planted these into his own, modern story...I found it riveting and am really glad you brought them in.  

[dansteelz]

First off, thank you NPR for everything you have done and continue to do for real music fans. Secondly, Fantastic Negrito thank you for giving yourself to music and transcending the status quo of musicians. You are truly original and very, very interesting to hear. I am thankful that there is a growing platform to find truth in music and my existence has been impacted from my experience here. Fantastic Negrito, I will be spreading the word and love of your contribution!

[isaacturnercreativeideas]

The singer has so much energy it makes me want to jump around!

[thiskindofgirl]

"We're just people, lonely people, you and I" (near tears) to "woman, I want everything for no reason 'cause I'm a man" (laughter) ... wow... what a range in 15 minutes. I was deeply moved by this music. Thank you for sharing! I look forward to listening to more.

[kronickingpin]

I hate when people say music is dead or they listen to such trash when there is talent like this that exists

[luvmamusic]

Damn this guy has a lot of soul. I'm so happy he won!!!

[copefoot]

My new favorite band.. They put everything on the line unforgiving.

[neurofire]

This is back to the river music. Draws on so much we now take as 'normal' in the daily flow of music. ..forgetting where it came from in the first place. It's the best.

[nicholassansone]

You Must See Them Live! The performance will blow your mind! They'll have you singing and dancing on the first song...

Thank You Fantastic Negrito! Thank You! Great show, by the way, at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass!

[fretyourprozac]

He opened for Chris Cornell last night at a show in Indianapolis. He blew me away! I look forward to seeing more from him!

[ponderjaunt]

The energy of a storyteller, wrapped in a blues soul. Can't believe the amount of passion we can see and hear in 15 minutes. 

[LReadick]

wonderful.  my two year old started dancing around, my nine year old just deeply grooving.  such emotive deeply textured soulful rhythm. great choice, npr.

[JaiGroove]

I hear the spirits of my ancestors in this song. Fantastic indeed.

[letsif]

This guy has the kind of voice that can adapt to almost any style.

[terrimcintosh]

I first discovered Fantastic Negrito a while back through the 'Tiny Desk Concert' series on You Tube.  I was hooked in the first few seconds and now have all their CDs.  Whenever I am feeling lethargic or down, I listen to them and am instantly energized.  Thank you, thank you!  So powerful.