NPR has been bringing the best and the brightest that music has to offer since launching its Tiny Desk Concert series in 2008. Singer Ro James is the latest artist to grace the space and wasted no time showing the intimate audience exactly why he is an artist on the rise.
Opening with his hit single, "Permission," James then proceeded to breeze through "Already Knew That" and "A.D.I.D.A.S. (All Day I)." Clearly at home in front of an audience, regardless the size, he effortlessly showcased the voice that has been garnering attention since he first crept onto the scene.
Decked out in a black brimmed hat, sunglasses and a leather jacket, Ro joked with the audience in between songs, at one point asking whether it was hot in the room or if it was just him because of the jacket. If he was, in fact, sweating, he did a good job of looking the part of a cool, calm and collected performer. Joined by drummer Marlon Lewis, guitarist Greg Moore and bassist Eric Whatley, the acoustic set provided the perfect introduction to James for those not already in the know. For those of us who have been keeping our eye on the 24-year-old, it just further solidified what we already knew to be true: James is a force to be reckoned with. Get into this short-but-sweet set, and if you haven't already, check out his debut album, Eldorado to find out what the fuss is about.
