NPR Music Tiny Desk Concerts

Amaare (2023x56)

: 22, 2023

Born in the Bronx but hailing from Accra, Ghana, Amaarae's appearance on NPR Music's Black Music Month lineup proves how far the sounds of West Africa have stretched to influence the U.S. and, more implicitly, just how much the music defies catch-all labels like "Afrobeats." Fountain Baby, the album that's home to most of the songs Amaarae performs at the Desk, represents what she does best. While it may be categorized as "pop" by streaming services, as an experience, Fountain Baby is an overflowing stream of genre-swerving liquid dopamine, lulling and surprising its listener in waves. Pulling influence from a grab bag of global incantations, Amaarae makes African percussion flirt with baile funk and alté, pop punk and garage, resulting in one of most triumphant albums and Tiny Desk Concerts of 2023 so far. SET LIST "Reckless & Sweet" "Wasted Eyes" "Disguise" "Big Steppa" "Co-Star" "HELLZ ANGEL" "SAD GIRLZ LUV MONEY"