Berhana: Tiny Desk Concert

Bobby Carter | February 14, 2024
Months before he released Amén (The Nomad's Dream), Atlanta singer Berhana shared his Tiny Desk vision with me: He wanted to pay homage to his roots with Ethiopian jazz pianist Kibrom Birhane and members of the Ethio Cali band to showcase their authentic take on East African rhythms. Draped in a traditional Ethiopian scarf at the Tiny Desk, he incorporates those elements to a T.
So much of the genre-fluid Amén is about personal growth and finding home. His first trip to Ethiopia was the driving force behind the new project, but the storytelling prowess is carried over from 2019's HAN. Before closing his set with "Going Home," he expressed his gratitude for the moment. "It's because we live within this confined amount of time, that we're able to find meaning," he says. "I've been trying to accept that a little bit more and be grateful for the little moments like this that I get to share with you guys right now."
SET LIST
"Gone (Abebe Bikila)"
"Break Bread"
"Someday"
"Golden"
"Honeycomb"
"Don't Go"
"Going Home"
MUSICIANS
Berhana: lead vocals
Kahlil Cummings: percussion
David Shimon Goodwin: bass
Randal Fisher: saxophone
Evan Christopher Greer: drums, vocals
Nadav Peled: guitar
Glenn Kelly Holdaway: trumpet
Kibrom Birhane: piano, krar
Josef Lamercier: vocals
Xenia Karungu: vocals
Tasan Thompson: vocals
TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Bobby Carter
Director: Joshua Bryant
Audio Technical Director: Josh Rogosin
Editor: Maia Stern
Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Maia Stern, Mitra I. Arthur, Zayrha Rodriguez
Audio Engineer: Hannah Gluvna
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Hazel Cills, Kara Frame
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann
#tinydesk #nprmusic #berhana

[@bee4590]

been a fan of this guy for YEARS, so cool to see him here :)

[@jessgates200]

this is my first time hearing him! But dont you love to see an artist you've messed with for a long time get their just recognition

[@Deepbarns]

Literally from the beginning 🔥🔥🔥

[@Kiddrock50]

right! What a pleasant surprise

[@d8juh]

same here love him 😊

[@Gotnothingbettertodo.]

He deserves more recognition provided there are still not many artists who sing WELL and rap too. Berhana really has given a very effortless feel to rnb. I mean I could listen to him all day.

[@yojimbe1980]

Huge fan since Grey Luh.

[@avery2834]

Same ❤ nothing compares to that song

[@unafflicted]

still such a good song

[@diogocapelo92]

That whole ep is such a vibe...

[@Traxxworld]

Ethiopian purity of heart always shines through !! same with mereba.. amine.. Ethiopia stand up ! blessed land

[@hotbloodedethiopian6229]

Also Alewya, Alemeda, Ruth B, Izzy Bizu, Mizan K, etc. pure magic

[@yousefkhadar329]

Don’t forget the Weekend

[@Barrios55]

Berhana has been underrated for a long time people need to listen to dis man’s music

[@lindogcwensa4624]

I really wish he performed California

[@senaawl]

Been listening to Berhana since 2018. Sooo happy to see him on Tiny Desk!

[@XxQueenChristinaxX]

For me it’s been since 2016. Long time fan.

[@whitneywhite1927]

Same! ❤❤❤

[@natashahaywood8205]

I find the BEST music and artists here😊 💜💛✌🏾

[@educatedandfab]

Same!

[@Zou523]

Let’s go!! HAN is one of my favorite albums ever glad to see berhana on a tiny desk

[@ohhhjace]

you and me both

[@jmitchell2930]

Wish this was a whole discography tiny desk 🇪🇹 adore this man’s music

[@williamsoares5154]

Break Bread is just too good. Missed some old hits, like Grey Luh, Janet and Wildin. I know that he got this new album, that he must disclose, but we've waited so long for this tiny desk.

[@imadori1010]

Janet and grey luh are my jams love this new music ❤

[@user-sf6vw2yn7l]

1:41 Break Bread 4:29 Someday 6:02 Golden 8:16 Honeycomb 11:23 Don't Go 15:40 Going Home

[@AnointaJames]

This set is so underrated. Been listening to it on repeat. Hope it crosses millions of views. Rooting for Berhana!

[@sun_hiyori]

Berhanaの出演嬉しい！ 最高だよ〜大好き〜🫶 from Japan

[@marcoespina1360]

One of the most underrated artists in the music industry. Saw this guy live im SF as my first concert and his performance changed my way of seeing and hearing music

[@KidBoodha]

Totally missed this- holy. Berhana has been on loop for a while and stopped. I heard Honeycomb this morning and played it like 5 times and decided to see if there was a music video but a tiny desk is just as fine!

[@leoneladebayor179]

We love you Berhana!, from México.🇲🇽❤️

[@nikolasvalerio2217]

Berhana is just different! True talent! Shoutout to the band, beautiful and talented people 🔥🧡

[@vinnykenya2]

Berhana is an household name and that's what ,we need celebrate this moment!! And seing Xxe😱😱😱💙💙, there 🇰🇪is represented❤❤❤

[@Tonjoon]

Berhana tiny desk, come up is real he still deserves more recognition

[@maggiedonaldson8432]

Drawn in from the first note. Lovely. Stevie Wonder vibes in part. What a wonderful band and backing singers too

[@blackdateline1996]

The fact he didn’t do Grey Luh doesn’t sit well with me at all

[@AB-in2tj]

Thanks for the info! I'm not watching it 🤣🤣

[@user-zt5pv3ym5l]

THIS!!! Only song I know it’s why I clicked🥲

[@TriantaTriaAsteria]

Love this ❤ “Break Bread”❤️

[@gabbysky3583]

THE KRAR PART 🥹🤌🏾🔥 is pure magic ✌🏾🇪🇹

[@twisty57q]

One of my favorite albums of 2023. If you don’t about Berhana, now you know

[@lulumoon9]

What a luscious sound all around! Love this!

[@therealadamfriedland]

Pretty impressive he sounds just like his album versions.

[@gunnshotsmedia]

That’s my homie Glenn on trumpet

[@waldemarbieniak8689]

It's very nice to listen to You... we can hear and see that you are passionate, stay together in this community of wonders... because you can't do anything alone and hold on to the Creator so that he will lead you to Eternity throughout this short life. Greetings from the capital of Poland

[@ewilson1979]

These live versions are 🔥🔥🔥🔥, great performance!!!!!

[@wediglearning9964]

Love the harmonies, the rhythms, the lyrics…beautiful. Thank you for introducing us to such a variety of artists. I start my day with music which has been part of my life for 65 years. ❤️

[@lokoscarymix]

BERHANA HAS BEEN THE SOUND TRACK TO MY NAVAL CAREER. WHEN IT GETS HARD MENTALLY I GET AWAY WITH BERHANA’S TRACKS

[@elephantdoodoo]

Thank you for your service! 🙏🏽💛

[@eternalvibes6858]

Thank you for your service

[@TejuAdisaFarrar]

BERHANA (and this whole band)! I love this guy and every. song. on this new project. Golden

[@samAYEam]

obsessed with his albums, way to go brother! elelelelelellle!! nothing better than ethic-jazz 🖤 he busted out the krar, closed my eyes and I was back home in the motherland!

[@kuyakeno]

How am I just now finding out Berhana dropped an album in October, man I'm so late to the party 😭 Break Bread such a good song!

[@Noahsjpgs]

love the vibes

[@Gladiator1163]

Beautiful

[@badiraha]

Beautiful!

[@zipho]

beautiful set

[@XxQueenChristinaxX]

Found Berhana back in 2016 when I watched the video to his song “Janet”. Always love seeing artists grow and gain recognition.

[@eyobetsy888]

That EP is unmatched, so dope seeing his evolution

[@darrenbaxter7034]

I luv this station ❤

[@aidafandino6663]

Awesome 🙌🏻

[@cormackjames]

Thank you!

[@GotPride650]

I'm late to this tiny desk session, but definitely won't be late to see you live at the SF Independent!

[@chrisbullock6477]

I literally enjoyed each and every song.

[@DigitalHalos]

I was looking for words to impart how lucky I felt hearing this musician I hadn't heard before, here; and then he dedicated the last song, to being grateful for life's small moments that are intrinsically more special because of the limited time and attention we all have here.. That made me treasure this even more. SO glad to have found a new musician with so much talent, and magic

[@Loveit45]

i love and been a fan for a while

[@BigGlockGucci]

Someday its gonna be my day 🙏

[@aegresen]

Made my day, what a fun jam

[@sunnydaysatl]

This made me an even bigger fan.

[@HoneySnowflake]

I haven't heard Berhana in years! Such a fan since 2015

[@dthedad7330]

Beautiful and dope!

[@dawitfg3296]

We been here for last year after ol we got the special one Ethiopian artist Ethiopia 🇪🇹 best musical KEBROM glade to see u guys

[@Justice_H2O]

Beautiful music and people

[@liluwish]

So beautiful! So blessed to come across this

[@claytonmckenzie4181]

This was amazing!!

[@sherrayreynolds2725]

If this ain’t the 2024 Stevie Wonder mixed with Musiq Soulchild & J. Cole! Lawd… I love it. We need more artists like this. ❤️❤️❤️

[@kccarrillo4793]

Perfect description. I’m hearing all the Songs in the key of life instruments and harmonies. Only newer and fresher.

[@christinetaylor4607]

Got the Stevie vibe straight away. Sa cool. Musical bliss. Gem. Hx. Uk

[@Dowinohue]

Wish this is how the album sounded. This was my intro, so hope that doesn’t sound rude, I checked out the new album, but prefer the sound here at tiny desk to their album versions. This was absolutely fantastic.

[@sarutaii]

Been rockin wit you since 2018, love this for you!! Can't wait for the concert in April 💞

[@HM-nb3rf]

all tracks were amazing, long time fan.

[@michaellam9819]

WOAH BERHANA Haven't seen ya in foreverrrr

[@douglasclare5106]

Can't wait to see him in April! One of my favorite artists out there.

[@kerentegadya9565]

That was beautiful ❤️✨

[@MsMalikkaRogers]

Just saw this, three weeks later, but I'm watching. I'm a fan.

[@Yeqzz]

Yessiiirr lets goo

[@FranciscoHernandez-bt2tc]

He should have been on here so long ago, glad to see this!!! 🫡💪🏽🫶

[@jordanwyns8666]

Solid! So good, thank you NPR!

[@AudenimLock]

Gotta love a tiny desk concert 😌 never fails to bring good vibes

[@bongs1995]

King! 🙌🏿

[@sonnybudiharjo6235]

Now i am a new fan..what an amazing music n voices ❤❤❤

[@elephantdoodoo]

“Going Home” is 🔥💛

[@sydneybaelovinlife]

I’ve always enjoyed his music but this album particularly, I’m obsessed with. Sooo happy to be watching this!

[@LamideArtisan]

Beautiful music, wonderful sound on Valentine's. The last one for me was a favourite, 'Going Home', the kirar with Berhana's talk going into the song was potent. 🕊🎵💛

[@TirraOmilade]

So excited to find this artist and his band! Definitely getting ready to download ALL the music! WOW!

[@dadechick69]

I'm officially a fan! ❤

[@chairmandiego]

late to the party but been a fan of berhana for a while 🙏

[@samrodriguez8097]

I swear I looked up this yesterday and there was nothing. 19 hrs later, here it is… Berhana 😍😍😍😍😍

[@YoItsMikeee]

Don’t sleep on him, man’s has GREAT songs that have been out!! Glad he’s getting this platform

[@kishastanley344]

I like this group 🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷

[@hoeletariat7962]

he’s so talented

[@aprilfontenot9354]

Very nice! Glad I found a new artist and amazing new music!

[@notetommy6392]

Love the recorded and produced tracks... but this blew me away. The live performances are amazing, and the sound engineers at tiny desk killed it like they always do!!!!!!! Gives a whole new layer to these songs!

[@caleboblepias7700]

i just wish someday sounded like that on the album 😭😭😭

[@pacificcoastpianos]

SO excited to see this talented artist getting the exposure he deserves! 🩶

[@KeepingUpWithFizahK]

I love this! Listening from Singapore 🎉

[@joaoh7660]

Wow ❤

[@Goddesswstrn]

Another Brilliant artists performance at the Tiny Desk concert 🎉⚘🎶✨🖤

[@iresine31]

Golden is such a beautiful song and hearing this version just gives it that much more dimension! He sounds incredible live ❤

[@theinfamouspokeinrichmondc3543]

Ok...Im here for this. My first time hearing Ethiopian Jazz but as a Jazz head...I like it ALOT!!

[@lshani.]

A ‘jazz head’ that’s never heard Ethiopian jazz?! 🤯

[@selahbeatsandtracks4932]

Im so honored to hear ethio jazz touches here.

[@user-ry1mu6qv7t]

I am glad I know this amazing singer. WOW! Each song is a gem in itself. Thank you Berhana.

[@liloly17]

Man I was praying to hear Janet or Grey Luh but this is still beautiful

[@janettn]

omg i used to listen to him all the time.. i started watching tiny desk again and im really happy to see him here :)

[@egebreyesus3693]

Elelelelelelele!🎉 ❤

[@carolinejohnson9749]

needed this years ago

[@pizzzicato]

oh my god, i was not informed!!!! thank you npr music

[@vec875]

Great stuff. I can hear the influences of Ms. Badu and Sir Wonder.

[@rechasebass]

Oh snap!!

[@zenimages]

WOW!!!!

[@chrisleno782]

We golden…🗣️We GOoooo🤌🏾✌🏾🔥🔥🔥✨