Angélique Kidjo plays NPR’s 1 000th Tiny Desk Concert

Tiny Desk Concerts is a platform for live gigs created by musician and NPR broadcaster Bob Boilen. The performances are traditionally hosted at his office in Washington, DC, but were held remotely during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

Backed by a band including Nigerian bassist Michael Olatuja and Chilean drummer Edgardo ‘Yayo’ Serka, among others, Kidjo performs songs from her 2021 Grammy-winning album Mother Nature as well as other staples from her catalogue, such as ‘Afirika’ and a tribute rendition of Miriam Makeba’s 1967 global hit ‘Pata Pata’.

She is also joined by Zambian rapper Sampa the Great for a rendition of their collaboration ‘Free & Equal’.

“I want to thank Tiny Desk for forecasting so many different talents from around the world,” Kidjo said, confessing to discovering the rapper via the Tiny Desk platform. “We need different spaces, because this world is just shrinking. This song and this young girl that’s coming from my continent is an example of what we can do when we all come together.”

Boilen said: “I can’t imagine a more inspiring spirit to help us celebrate than Angélique Kidjo. He also lauded the singer’s “crucial role in spreading the music of Africa and the spirit of love in all that she does.”

“When I started the Tiny Desk series in April 2008, I never imagined its impact. So many artists’ voices have been raised and shared with music fans worldwide through these performances,” he said.

Kidjo, who performed at the Hollywood Bowl on 14 September, is scheduled to headline Global Citizen Festival in New York next week.