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

[@nprmusic]

Want to play your own Tiny Desk concert? Unsigned musicians, enter the 2024 Tiny Desk Contest between Jan. 23 and Feb. 21. Learn more: npr.org/tinydeskcontest.

[@Obongjayar]

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

[@Joey_not_joseph]

Thank YOU 🙏🏼 SUGA SUGA SUGA!!!! 💜🔥

[@Rex382]

You are a star 🌟 🎶🖤🖤

[@nprmusic]

[@tanahowell3422]

@@nprmusic wow ❤

[@jahmilla9139]

you a great artist not just a big artist, but a great one omo iya 🙏🏾🦅

[@davidesparon1487]

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.

[@halcyonacoustic7366]

I recognized his face

[@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.

[@daisy-zh7gk]

Thanks! Can you recommend any good way to start with his stuff? this is the sort of thing which is great to get a real person’s opinion on :)

[@TheNewYear75]

same! give a recommendation in da chat

[@TheAfricanbread]

​@@daisy-zh7gklisten to message in a hammer, gone girl, frens. There's just so much but start with those.

[@TheAfricanbread]

​@@TheNewYear75listen to message in a hammer, gone girl, frens. There's just so much but start with those.

[@samshaw8765]

I found him when he released Creepin back in 2016. I had that song on repeat 24/7! Check out his old stuff as well, he has such versatility

[@aweleutomi3996]

So happy he’s finally getting his flowers proper!! Amazing alt artist from the motherland 🇳🇬

[@user-bh5ic5mq9c]

I wish it was me, incredible, beautiful, moving. Makes me cry thinking of my younger sister.

[@darcysdiary]

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

[@bc2297]

A true voice, carries such feeling in his words.

[@ZERO2A100]

Hands down one of the best performances I've seen on tiny desk

[@ilb9387]

YES! Been listening to OB for a while now and LOVED his performance at Love Supreme, one of the most emotive performers I’ve ever seen. GREAT JOB 🤩

[@joanne4692]

You sound like a myriad off other human sounds, like a beatbpx.i love ya.❤❤❤❤

[@paytonpurvis2556]

Amazing. Beautiful. Lovely.

[@peterdofferhoff2500]

Next level. This band is Grammy.

[@dellze13]

Just realizing I Adore You is basically a cut and mix of excerpts from another one of Obongjayar’s songs. What a talent he has.

[@manovardasauste]

This is gettng better every time I listen to it. Writing my PhD thesis in the middle of the night and this tiny desk concert keeps me going. OB you are incredible. unique. wow.

[@Woopo83]

I’m supporting since the Bassey and Everything is recorded days. It’s been such an amazing run so far. Wonderful!

[@ekpereusoro8159]

Nothing short of breathtaking. Obongjayr is a musical genius 🫡

[@ruru6105]

Thank you Fred Again

[@ujelisunar6115]

this is mind blowing songs and the way of singing the song. i love it

[@Spark__ii]

Obongjayar is lit

[@m.h0656]

Incredible.

[@Apo023]

omgomgomg NPR MADE MY DAY! my favorite person did may favorite show and it just dropped!! sooooo happy for this! Big fun of OB and Some Nights I Dream of Doors... sweet and sour pleasure that I had on daily repeat for a abundant amount of time and "wish it was me" still punch me in the guts. Much thanks to Obongjayar&band and Tiny Desk! love from Croatia 😘

[@nicholasogollo7769]

"I have seen the future. In the future we won💪❤"

[@michelleperera3501]

Ob amazing. Band amazing. Every song, note and lyric perfect. I’ve danced similar for the last 30 years. This performance bought a new boogie I never knew existed.

[@SwaggAffiliated13]

Beautiful, new age fela 🫶🏾

[@patdalymusic]

New fan here - this is great! "You matter to me."

[@crosswordztv]

That drummer😩😩😩🖤🖤🖤🔥🔥🔥

[@josiahfaamasino5961]

On point that band is straight fire

[@MET709]

I am now in love with Ciaran Corr 🎸

[@cherrydrums]

One of my favorite TDCs EVER

[@brooklyn5793]

Totally funky and I absolutely love it! ❤

[@colerobinson2628]

Thanks fred you done it again...

[@jembenson]

Why have i never heard of this guy. Absolutely loved this vibe

[@greyswanlet]

Since I heard Creeping I have been closely following this amazingly talented and beautiful soul. Listen to the song he sang his family in their front room and if you don’t feel moved to tears then I’m afraid you need to get in touch with your own heart ♥️

[@thelashaeproject]

I can't help but to keep coming back to this.

[@elguaje7.]

I found you because of Fred again. I like your style man

[@James-ic7vx]

Obongjayar is a real gift

[@maraciama2996]

Wow !

[@wandirikarimimugambi5292]

That bass player is EVERYTHING!

[@KUKULIVE]

I like this! If this going to be a represntation of one of Nigerian music, I can rest well.

[@dailyelevation2813]

Inspiration

[@guevarafreddy]

Amigos de NPR...Liberen eL video de Cypress HILL para Venezuela

[@kinsoundstudios]

I wish it was me. Tears

[@PositiveV2023]

Thank you for noticing this guy been listening for years wondering why he’s views are so low. OB is from another planet bro 🇳🇬

[@gfxsham]

Wunderbar, danke

[@TosingerT]

Nice, very nice

[@Nolanthegardener]

Amazing!

[@levicohen7333]

Shoutout to Danny brown for giving this man a huge platform! That’s how I learned of his amazing music

[@bhdgrafix]

Fell in love at first listen

[@whitzala]

Doing Africa PROUD!!!! Please listen to his music, his latest album has so many dope messages and relatable themes

[@pongamissi7123]

gosh, loving it!!!

[@mafaldafati9422]

Fela influences 🐐

[@kolawole9845]

Bless up

[@AseelShaq]

What a beautiful A-R-T-I-S-T

[@justlis2]

What a vibe 👏🎶

[@manuelmnguni1969]

Amazing

[@peternmesoma8764]

The bassist is on fire 💥💥💥

[@doublehsword6508]

Wow wow wow

[@soymushi]

So happy to have OB here ❤‍🔥

[@philippanful1660]

That bass guitarist is going innnn!!!

[@sydneyphiri6408]

Always knew this man was talented

[@lol71627]

they're the best!!!

[@maxmendelsohn7721]

Simi brought me here!

[@iamnykira]

Such a powerful voice

[@mav9143]

I Wish It Was Me always gets me

[@halakaddoura]

💜

[@FabioDish]

Strabiliante!!

[@isaacstephen9397]

This band is fire🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 It’s crazy how these white guys understand and effortlessly playing African juju music💯💯💯💯💯

[@federeeco3198]

eargasm

[@ZahraofLagos]

FINALLYYYYY

[@Lovetoall14]

Ibibio Nation!

[@d.a.schwab4410]

That rhythm section tho

[@tamaramccullough2983]

🔥🔥🔥🔥❤️

[@papablacksheeps]

🖤🦍🏴

[@notasktransfert2138]

I don't really know what he is saying in his song but I like the vibe🔥

[@Ivettevilla]

💥💥💥

[@WarrenFINNE-ed7kh]

This is really funny to me and I don't know what to think about it

[@nikot4447]

pająk

[@wrathfulpanic3128]

THIS is afrobeat

[@redgremlin2162]

bass player on smoke homyjeeza

[@thea42]

💪 ❤

[@titoosato9962]

Wow

[@zurieltemmy]

jayar !

[@martinebonita2658]

Whaaaaaattttttt

[@TheProudBoysWorld]

Yess Obongjayar has got Tiny desk 👏🏽🔥

[@Bossajoe]

Sam Jones on drums ❤

[@NicestBlackQueen]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@boobubu]

So in loveeeeeeeeeeee

[@_all_around_us]

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

[@majesticcasual]

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

[@epitomeofmediocrity4212]

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

[@nenadpopov3601]

Omg yes, I couldn't figure out who he reminds me of, good ol' Fela

[@brettweist5257]

Dude I've thought the same thing about obongjayar and Fela Kuti for years now, so happy someone else was thinking it!!!!

[@pleunmaarleveld959]

Fela? Not at all...

[@isaacobaido3814]

Powerful delivery.

[@o.t9358]

He's style is more funky that jazzy like fela

[@mikenihan9260]

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

[@mr.e2297]

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!

[@DonPasquale_]

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

[@ingridexel5525]

Same here.

[@user-vl4zi9vl8g]

That's how I just found him last night (pause).

[@ellenico4107]

Same

[@natsaij.g1942]

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

[@omogolo1]

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

[@davidkooijmans3238]

This is the guy that sings on Fred Again his newest track if I’m not mistaken:)

[@DnDnFamily]

Same! Ive been listening to his albums on repeat since discovering hm

[@peternmesoma8764]

He's one of my best 💥💥

[@peternmesoma8764]

The bassist 💯💯

[@flowill7304]

Hmm 🤔

[@toomuchmustard3067]

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

[@samuelndubueze3678]

Because it's not our style 😂😂😂😂😂

[@Olphas]

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

[@Boogalyhu]

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

[@timileyinakinsanya5732]

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