Rwandan band, The Good Ones, made an appearance on NPR Music's renowned Tiny Desk Concerts on January 10. Known for featuring illustrious musicians like Dua Lipa, Alicia Keys, Justin Bieber, Mac Miller, and BTS, the Tiny Desk Concert series has become a platform for artists worldwide.
The performance showcased The Good Ones&039; hit songs, including: 'The Farmer,' 'Mon Cheri,' 'Seraphinne', 'You are the Prettiest Woman in the World,' and 'Young People Are the Future.'
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Comprising Adrien Kazigira, Javan Mahoro, and Jeanvier Havugimana, The Good Ones has gained international recognition through collaborations with acclaimed musicians such as Nels Cline, Tunde Adebimpe, Corin Tucker, Kevin Shields, and Joe Lally.
Initially discovered by Grammy-winner Ian Brennan and his wife Marilena Delli in 2009, 'The Good Ones' unique musical style, influenced by local traditions and sung in their native dialect, sets them apart. Brennan, known for producing records across the globe, identified the band's "precious and rare talent” during their first encounter.
Living without electricity and using farming tools as percussion instruments, The Good Ones bring a distinctive flair to their music. Adrien Kazigira, the primary songwriter, weaves intricate harmonies with co-singer Janvier Havugimana, creating a style often likened to "worker songs from the streets" with eerie similarities to American Bluegrass vocals. Javan Mahoro adds his touch with background vocals and percussion.
Globally acclaimed, The Good Ones' music and original compositions have garnered widespread recognition. The group has made appearances on various BBC-radio programs and The Netherlands VPRO national-television breakfast show. Their talent has earned praise from renowned musicians such as Led Zeppelin lead-singer, Robert Plant, and the Grammy-winning, platinum-selling group, Mumford & Sons.
The Good Ones are no strangers to NPR Music's Tiny Desk, having made a previous appearance on Sep 29, 2020, as part of the home edition necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Tiny Desk concert series by NPR Music, inaugurated in 2008, has recorded over 1,000 concerts right at the Tiny Desk in NPR's headquarters in Washington, D.C.
The band boasts four studio albums, namely: "Rwanda...you see ghosts, I see sky," "RWANDA, you should be loved," "Rwanda Is My Home," and "Kigali Y' Izahabu."