Daniel Caesar: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

25,885,398
0
Published 2018-06-11
June 4, 2018 | Bobby Carter -- Daniel Caesar and his band had a clear vision for their Tiny Desk performance. While already confined to a small space, they opted to congregate at the piano, where producer and music director Matthew Burnett sat to create what feels like a fly-on-the-wall moment. We're presented a purity that's nearly impossible to capture on an album.

The success of Caesar's debut LP, Freudian, has created a groundswell of fanfare and exposure for the 23-year-old singer-songwriter. It was nominated for two Grammys and won two Junos (Canada's equivalent to the Grammys). We've seen him perform on Late Night with Seth Meyers, pop stars are serenading him with his own songs and his set at this year's Coachella festival was one of the most buzzed about (behind the queen Bey, of course). Caesar's is an organic ascent that's yet to reach its peak.

Caesar carries a coy aura about him, until he opens his mouth to sing. The years of training in church, fused with natural talent, is on full display. Supporting vocalists Camille Harrison, Danah Berry and Nevon Sinclair are in tow for the whole ride, providing some of the richest harmonies we've heard at the Tiny Desk. I found myself fixated on the playful manner in which the band members interacted with each other.

Caesar didn't hold back with the set list. He performed his three most-streamed songs (a combined 249,000,000 plays on Spotify alone), including "Best Part," which included a Tiny Desk guest appearance by NPR Music favorite H.E.R.

Set List

"Japanese Denim"
"Get You"
"Best Part (feat. H.E.R.)"

MUSICIANS
Gabriella Wilson (H.E.R.), Ashton Simmonds (Daniel Caesar), Adrien Bent (Drums), Saya Gray (Bass), Matthew Burnett (Piano), Nevon Sinclair (Vocals), Danah Berry (Vocals), Camille Harrison (Vocals)

CREDITS
Producers: Bobby Carter, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Niki Walker, CJ Riculan, Kara Frame; Photo: Morgan Noelle Smith/NPR.

All Comments (21)
  • @nprmusic
    WIN A TRIP TO SEE A TINY DESK CONCERT! Enter here for your chance to win by supporting the content you love: bit.ly/tiny-desk-giveaway (enter before 3/28/24 at 11:59pm PT!) No purchase or donation required for entry. Void where otherwise restricted or prohibited by law. Must be 18 years or older and a resident of the 50 us states, D.C. or Canada (excluding Quebec) to enter. Entry deadline is March 28, 2024 at 11:59:59pm pt. Odds depend on the number of entries received. ARV of total prize: $2,300. Max. 10,000 entries per person. Official rules, including an alternative free method of entry, can be found at propeller.la/support/1936/official-rules.
  • @tifsears
    his voice feels like when someone you love plays with your hair
  • Can we appreciate how lovely the backup singers as well supporting beautifully for the whole arrangement?
  • @miamitten1123
    Kids in year 2070 after hearing Daniel: ”I was born in the wrong generation”
  • @Do_Worrk
    My first kid will be made to Daniel Caesar's music. Guaranteed.
  • @hostkevincq
    teach all ya children that this how real music feels like
  • @lucassalles8216
    it's 2022 and I'm still here hearing to this master piece almost every day, I love this video.
  • @lopo8100
    The fact that Daniel is standing towards the back to blend in with the band and singers says a lot . So that we focus on all of them at once .... I see what you did there πŸ˜‰
  • @claudiar4128
    It's 2023, Daniel recently released Never Enough, and I still play this Tiny Desk regularly. He's a genius. His voice is pure art.
  • @Overkill233
    Set List 0:00 - Japanese Denim 4:39 - Get You 10:50 - Best Part (feat. H.E.R.) Have fun everyone, stay safe. ✌
  • Lol the drummer is having a hell of a good time. Hes been smiling the whole 16 minutes. A good tiny desk performance will do that to you i imagine.
  • @leratophadi2659
    Japanese Denim πŸ˜©πŸ’›πŸ”₯ Daniel Caesar πŸ˜©πŸ’›πŸ”₯πŸ”₯ The vocals πŸ˜©πŸ’›πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯ The band πŸ˜©πŸ’›πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯
  • @bushDid911
    Can we all just take a moment to appreciate how great the bassist is?
  • @kks353
    his voice is like when flowers vibrate in the wind
  • Could you imagine if they got Frank Ocean to do a Tiny Desk?? I would drop dead