Burna Boy — Tiny Desk Concert (NPR), 2019

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Why this recording

Recorded in November 2019 between two sold-out shows in Washington, this Tiny Desk breaks with Burna Boy's usual stage mode: producer Bobby Carter describes a more reflective, restrained performer. Six musicians are credited around him, including two keyboardists, a backing singer and Otis “Bdoc” Mensah on bass, a full band squeezed behind the desk. All four songs, played in under fifteen minutes, come from African Giant. Josh Rogosin engineered the audio.

— Simon Janvier, live-sound professional and editor of the catalogue

Recording technical sheet

Rights-holding channelNPR Music
Source statusOfficial — broadcaster or organiser
Uploaded
Exact runtime
ResolutionHD (720p+)
Source qualityProfessional (multi-camera)

Metadata checked on YouTube on 29 September 2026; direction, camera setup and sound documented by the editors.

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Published on August 10, 2026 by Simon Janvier

Filmed live concert by Burna Boy for NPR Music’s Tiny Desk, recorded in 2019 at the radio’s offices in Washington. A Nigerian singer and songwriter, Burna Boy was by then one of the biggest names in African music, a pioneer of “afro-fusion” that grafts soul, dancehall and varied influences onto an afrobeat foundation inherited from Fela Kuti. The year 2019, marked by the album African Giant and a contribution to the Beyoncé-led soundtrack The Lion King: The Gift, saw him break through internationally. This live concert, more intimate and restrained than his usual shows, foregrounds songwriting and voice. The multi-song live format runs through four tracks: “Gbona”, “Wetin Man Go Do”, “Dangote” and “Ye”. Backed by his band, Burna Boy delivers a performance that distils the highlights of African Giant. Captured by NPR Music (editorial production: Bobby Carter). Nigerian afrobeats to discover as a filmed live concert. Year: 2019. Part of NPR Music’s acclaimed Tiny Desk series, this full live session can be watched online.

Setlist

  1. Gbona
  2. Wetin Man Go Do
  3. Dangote
  4. Ye

Personnel & credits

  • Burna Boy — vocals
  • Bobby Carter — editorial producer (NPR Music)
Category

What to watch next

Burna Boy appears once more in the catalogue, and NPR Tiny Desk, Washington D.C. gathers 101 recordings in all.

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