Kokoroko: Tiny Desk Concert

Kokoroko: Tiny Desk Concert with tags npr, npr music, national public radio, live, performance, tiny desk, tiny desk concert, tony desk, tiny concert

Bobby Carter | October 20, 2025

Onome Edgeworth, Kokoroko’s band leader and percussionist, told us: “Up until today, I thought, ‘No chance. This is going to go horribly wrong.’ ” It’s not uncommon for bands to come into our space with doubts. Still, in Edgeworth’s case, the insecurities were quickly shed: the NPR crowd gave “good vibes” and, more importantly, this young group of British musicians is just so naturally talented.

The timing couldn’t be better for this Tiny Desk. The themes and motivation behind Kokoroko’s latest album, Tuff Times Never Last, speak directly to what many people are going through right now, but also convey a radical mission to choose joy. Musically, Kokoroko takes a massive leap and shows more confidence in the members’ individual and harmonic vocal ranges. On songs like “Together We Are” and “Idea 5 (Call My Name),” they’re simply going for it and nailing it. At the Desk, their fusion of funk, jazz, afrobeats and R&B offer a magically singular experience.

SET LIST

“Never Lost”

“Together We Are”

“Idea 5 (Call My Name)”

“Sweetie”

MUSICIANS

Sheila Maurice-Grey: vocals, trumpet

Noushy Nanguy: vocals, trombone

Onome Edgeworth: percussion

Duane “Hurcs” Atherley: bass, background vocals

Tobi Adenaike: guitar, background vocals

Yohan Kebede: keys, background vocals

Joel “JC” Clarke: drums

TINY DESK TEAM

Producer: Bobby Carter

Director/Editor: Kara Frame

Audio Technical Director: Josephine Nyounai

Host/Series Producer: Bobby Carter

Videographers: Kara Frame, Joshua Bryant, Sofia Seidel, Grace Raver

Audio Engineer: Valentina Rodriquez Sanchez

Production Assistant: Dhanika Pineda

Tiny Desk Team: Maia Stern, Josh Newell

Series Editor: Lars Gotrich

Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed

Executive Director: Sonali Mehta

Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson, Robin Hilton

#tinydesk #nprmusic #kokoroko

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