Who Are CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso & Why Is Their ‘El Tiny’ Desk Performance Going Viral?
Courtesy of the artist.
Argentinean artist duo CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso are garnering global attention. On Oct. 4, the artists’ performance on NPR Music’s ‘El Tiny’ desk series came out, featuring five of their tracks in a reimagined way – complete with subtitles for non-Spanish speakers to understand the duo’s vibe. Now, it’s going viral on social media.
CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso are known for their experimental music spanning electronic, hip-hop, trap, and pop, but also for unfusing chaotic energy and humor to their work. Before becoming a duo, both singers had successful solo careers in Argentina’s trap and experimental indie scene. They both even have solo sessions with Bizarrap. After releasing multiple singles together since 2018, the duo finally debuted their first album BAÑO MARÍA in April. Now, it looks like they’re expanding their audience even more.
For this mini-set, the duo implemented different vocal harmonizations, percussion, and brass arrangements to bring a new twist to their popular tracks. Their band included Javier Burin on keys, Anita B Queen on background vocals, guitar, and sampling, Eduardo Giardina on drums, and Felipe Brandy on bass. After a rhythmic start with “DUMBAI,” they dove into a playful rendition of their charismatic track “EL ÚNICO,” making it unique by switching out their house beat for a more orchestral and jazzy feeling. They also performed other songs like a mesh of “Mi Deseo” and “BAD BITCH,” followed by a reimagined version of “BABY GANGSTA,” complete with a harmonized finish. They ended the set with a fast-paced, climatic version of “LA QUE PUEDE, PUEDE.”
New fans are discovering the experimental pair thanks to the Tiny Desk Concert. A YouTube user, @julioelizaldepiano, wrote: “This is like Anderson .Paak meets Snarky Puppy meets New Jeans in Spanish. Absolutely incredible.” Another YouTube user, @joeyzazasalas, wrote: “Good Lord! Can’t understand any espanol, but music is the universal language and what freaking great music & artistry!”
Multiple videos of the performance are also going viral over on TikTok. A TikTok user, @nolascobruh, described the duo as: “If Anderson .Paak, Oliver Tree, and Stromae merged together and spoke Spanish. I love it.” Another TikTok user, @pagida_, commented: “I can’t comprehend what I just watched. This is the coolest thing ever. musicality, collective creativity, arrangement, merging of numerous styles and more. Well done. I’m impressed!”
Other social media users are asking for studio-recorded versions of their performances. TikTok user, @easyliving, wrote: “Y’all just need to redo this whole album and invite everyone in that room 🔥🔥🔥🔥.”
This Tiny Desk Concert is part of NPR Music’s ‘El Tiny’ takeover in celebration of Our Heritage Month. Other artists who participated this year include Eladio Carrión, Ivan Cornejo, and Daniel, Me Estás Matando.
Check out Paco Amoroso and CA7RIEL’s NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Concert below.