Fantastic Negrito: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert
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Published 2015-03-09
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
All Comments (21)
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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!!!
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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.
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As soon a the first notes came out of his mouth I was hooked.
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Congrats on your Grammy for best Contemporary Blues Album! You rock!!
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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.
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Sooooo much soul.
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Love when a performer can use their entire being as an instrument.
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"there's no tomorrow, it's here, it's on" ... maximum impact!
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The singer has so much energy it makes me want to jump around!
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I hate when people say music is dead or they listen to such trash when there is talent like this that exists
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Damn this guy has a lot of soul. I'm so happy he won!!!
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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!
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Girl drummer, hell yeah!
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He is amazing. His music has soul.
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This guy has the kind of voice that can adapt to almost any style.
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Holly SHIT!!! Power, pure Power!!! Tiny Desk Concerts are introducing me to music again!
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I hear the spirits of my ancestors in this song. Fantastic indeed.
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He opened for Chris Cornell last night at a show in Indianapolis. He blew me away! I look forward to seeing more from him!
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Something nice about seeing someone sing a foot away from the mic without an in-ear monitor - obviously super present in the moment and vibing the room. Like a singalong around a campfire.
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Showing this some love in 2022.
