It’s that time of the year when we take a look back and reflect on what’s happened in the last twelve months. As usual, we all come up with lists of the best and worst — viral moments, music, films, books, and more. We’ve seen your Spotify wrapped, yes, and the lists of best albums of the year. But in an age where online content is just as important as the official works, we thought we might rank some of our favourite Tiny Desk concerts of 2024. Because, why not? An incredible number of artists has joined the NPR project and given us a wide array of touching, danceable, viral, and surprising performances this year. Here’s the ones we liked best.
In April of 2008, when YouTube was far from the platform that it is today (both in terms of content, reach, and influence), the first Tiny Desk concert by NPR saw the light. The artist that kicked it off was American singer-songwriter Laura Gibson, who gave a small concert after being invited by NPR creator Bob Boilen and NPR editor Stephen Thompson. Now, sixteen years later, their Tiny Desk series has become a global phenomenon that helps people worldwide discover emerging talent as well as see their favourite artists in an intimate setting.
It’s incredibly hard to choose just a few artists for this list. In 2024, we’ve seen the likes of Billie Eilish, Sean Paul, Doechii, The Marías, Nelly Furtado, Big Sean, Tinashe, Dua Lipa, Tierra Whack, Chaka Khan, Hot Chip, Chappell Roan, Kehlani or Ne-Yo, among more emerging artists, joining the tiny studio of NPR to give incredible live performances. But we decided to go for it, and here’s our selection.
Billie Eilish
This is one of the latest of the year, but it went straight to the top. We’re all familiar with Billie’s talent to touch your soul with her incredibly soothing voice, and of course the Tiny Desk environment was perfect for her. After releasing one of the most acclaimed albums this year, Hit Me Hard and Soft, and winning her second Academy Award for Barbie’s What Was I Made For, the American singer and her brother, Finneas, close this year by performing hit songs from her latest LP including L’Amour De Ma Vie, The Greatest, and Birds of a Feather.
Doechii
The rapper is living one of her sweetest moments of her career. She’s toured the world after releasing her mixtape Alligator Bites Never Heal, which is nominated to Best Rap Album in the 2025 Grammys — she’s also nominated as Best New Artist. Her energy, drive, and unmatched aura make her one of the coolest rappers today, and her Tiny Desk just proved that. Also known as Swamp Princess, she used the opportunity to rap eight different songs, including Denial Is a River, Nissan Altima, Bullfrog, Boom Bap and Catfish.
Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso
If you haven’t seen their performance yet, you should. It is, without a doubt, one of the most viral concerts of the year — and for a good reason. The Argentinian duo has been working together and separately for several years now, but it’s clear that when they join forces, they are unstoppable. After listening to their concert, you’ll be singing “La mano arriba todo el mundo que llegó Paquito” non-stop. Incredibly charismatic, playful, and cheeky, this one is not to miss.
Chappell Roan
One of the biggest stars to come out of 2024 is Chappell Roan. Her outrageous looks, infectious melodies, and sincere lyrics have taken over the world by storm. It was Good Luck, Babe! that put her on the spotlight, and then people discovered her 2023 album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. In her Tiny Desk concert, she took the opportunity to sing some of the LP’s songs, including Pink Pony Club, Red Wine Supernova, California, and Picture You.
Nelly Furtado
If there is a singer that defined the late ‘90s and early 2000s, that’s Nelly Furtado. For Millenials and early Gen Z kids, she was the epitome of coolness. But all of a sudden, she disappeared. Luckily for us, she’s back and better than ever — if you don't believe me, just take a look at her twenty-minute concert where she sings anthems like Say It Right, Explode, Eat Your Man, Love Bites, Get Ur Freak On, or Powerless (Say What You Want).
Big Sean
It isn’t every day that you see a rapper sing accompanied by a string quartet of violins and cello. But hey, the world is full of surprises. And so is Big Sean, the Detroit-born artist who gave one of the most brilliant performances of the year. And also one with the longest setlist in Tiny Desk history — fourteen songs in total, including Memories, Blessings, Play No Games, My Last, Beware, Bounce Back, and I Don’t F*** With You.
Chaka Khan
The woman, the myth, the legend; Chaka Khan is a force of nature. At seventy-one years old, she proved that she’s still got it — the vocals, the attitude, the talent. In one of the longest concerts at Tiny Desk (over half an hour long), the artist and her band play some of the most iconic songs over her career, which spans over fifty years already, including Tell Me Something Good, What Cha’ Gonna Do for Me, Stay, Through the Fire, or I’m Every Woman. Just goosebumps.
Hot Chip
Somebody on the comments said “this is the most ‘cool uncle’ energy ever assembled in one place” and they couldn’t be more spot-on. The British synthpop band is mostly known for their electronic music, which can easily put anyone to dance on just a few beats. However, for their Tiny Desk concert, they went more acoustic and showed a new side to them. If you’re curious to know how Ready for the Floor or Boy from School sound when played by drums, guitars, and keyboards, have a listen.
Kevin Kaarl
The Mexican singer-songwriter has one of the most soothing voices we’ve ever heard. His indie-drenched vocals and heart-wrenching lyrics, where he speaks about heartbreak, coming of age, or dead relatives, make anyone who listens to him tear-eyed. The acoustic setting is his comfort zone, which is why his Tiny Desk concert feels so natural and welcoming. Together with his cousin and band mate, Bryan, he sings some of his most famous tracks including Vámonos a Marte, Te quiero tanto, Me va a costar, or San Lucas.
The Marías
Headed by Puerto Rican lead singer Maria Zardoya, the band has carved a space over the past years in the packed music industry. Her beautiful voice matches perfectly her sad girl energy, and the band’s Tiny Desk concert is a testament to that. With songs like Real Life, Cariño or No One Noticed, the band gives one of their most emotive performances of the year.