Yahritza y Su Esencia is the latest act to perform live for NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert. Today (Aug. 24), the video of the intimate performance was released, featuring the Mexican-American band playing some of their biggest hits like “Soy El Único.”
NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert celebrates music from around the world and artists across all genres. Yahritza y Su Esencia broke out last year thanks to the record-setting hit “Soy El Único.” Yahritza Martinez was 15 years old at the time and became the youngest Latine artist to appear on the Billboard Hot 100 chart when the song debuted at No. 20. Now her band with her brothers is unlocking a new achievement as part of the Tiny Desk Concert series.
The group opened the performance with a powerful rendition of “Soy El Único.” Vocalist Yahritza Martinez’s voice — which sounds years beyond her age — shined throughout the five-song set. The band also performed their collaboration “Inseparables,” which originally featured Ivan Cornejo. The Martinez siblings rounded out the intimate concert with a stripped-down version of their Grupo Frontera collaboration “Frágil.” Other songs performed are “Dejalo Ir” and “No Se Puede Decir Adiós.”
Yahritza y Su Esencia’s Tiny Desk Concert comes on the heels of the band’s recent controversy in Mexico. Earlier this month, Yahritza and Jairo Martinez apologized after the band was perceived to be disrespectful to their Mexican roots and culture during a press conference. The barrage of online hate they received included many racist comments and death threats.
After viewing the trio’s Tiny Desk concert, there are people online who are ready to move on from the controversy. “You have to forgive Yahritza y Su Esencia, just look at everything they bring,” one person wrote on Twitter in Spanish. “My recommendation of the day is Yahritza y Su Esencia’s Tiny Desk,” wrote another person.
The band is performing concerts across the West Coast on the Obsessed Tour. Next up, Yahritza y Su Esencia will hit the stage at the Observatory in Santa Ana, CA, on Aug. 25.
Check out the sibling trio’s performance on NPR’s Tiny Desk below.