NPR Music's video: The Good Ones: Tiny Desk Concert

Felix Contreras | January 17, 2024 It is difficult to merely take in a performance by the Rwandan group known as The Good Ones. The pathos of the band and the country’s recent history permeates the duo’s existence and its music. Adrian Kazigira and Janvier Havugimana were taught music by the latter’s older brother, who then perished during the country’s brutal genocide. They formed a band as a way to process their nation’s trauma and also bring together Rwanda’s three tribes: Tutsi, Hutu, and Abatwa. From the start, the simple guitar fingerpicking style and very sparse rhythm guide the plaintive vocals into a trance-like meditation. The music is a fascinating mix of guitar strumming that combines the kind of cyclical song form you hear on the West African kora and vocal harmonizing common to many African musical traditions. The group’s origin story may be tragic, but The Good Ones’ determination to spread its musical message is an inspiration. SET LIST “The Farmer” “Mon Cheri” “Seraphinne, You are the Prettiest Woman in the World” “Young People Are the Future” MUSICIANS Adrien Kazigira: acoustic guitar, vocals Janvier Havugimana: percussion, guitar, vocals Marilena Umuhoza Delli: translator, spokesperson Marie Reed Elementary School Singers Choir Director: Sandra Granobles Liya Springfield Naomi Quinn Faria Mojeb Markan Beshir Ezra Beshir Zylei Jones Cuore Dea Umutoni Brennan Erick Turcios-Maldonado TINY DESK TEAM Producers: Felix Contreras, Bob Boilen Director/Editor: Kara Frame Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin Series Producer: Bobby Carter Videographers: Kara Frame, Maia Stern, Joshua Bryant Audio Assistant: Neil Tevault Production Assistant: Elle Mannion Photographer: Zayrha Rodriguez Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Ashley Pointer, Hazel Cills VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann