These 9 Gospel Tiny Desk Concerts Will Make You Shout
- Laila Day
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
Over the course of time, NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series has included a range of musicians who made gospel music mainstream. All of the Gospel Tiny Desk concerts, sorted by year, are listed below:
Brian Courtney Wilson: A Gospel Classic Deserving of a Revisit!
In NPR’s gospel collection, Brian Courtney Wilson’s 2010 Tiny Desk performance is a timeless treasure. This session, being more than 14 minutes long, features Wilson at the beginning of his now-thriving career. It's also the oldest gospel Tiny Desk Concert found on YouTube.
Wilson performed a blend of traditional hymns and modern gospel, including "All I Need" mixed with "I Need Thee," "Oh I Need Thee," "Do Not Pass Me By," and "Already Here," his hit song.
Since 2010, Courtney-Wilson has grown greatly as an artist after releasing several albums, securing his position in gospel music. More profound worship, moving storytelling, and even more advanced vocal techniques are all examples of how his music changed over time.
Is it time for NPR to bring Brian Courtney-Wilson back? Returning to Tiny Desk would give fans a chance to witness his growth up close and reintroduce his impactful sound to new listeners.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard: NPR's Comeback for Gospel Music!
The 2019 Tasha Cobbs Leonard Tiny Desk Performance was a comeback for gospel music on the NPR Platform. It was a major turning point for gospel, as it was the first Tiny Desk Concert during NPR’s peak for this music field.
Three of her popular hits, “Break Every Chain,” “You Know My Name,” and “The River of the Lord,” were performed in her gracious set, which lasted more than 16 minutes.
This performance was filled with great intensity of emotion, resonating with both gospel fans and newcomers. Many commenters expressed joy and gratitude for NPR’s choice to expand their audience and include a gospel artist, and the performance received widespread praise in the YouTube comments and the media.
Kirk Franklin: Gospel Fans Love Them Some Kirk!
Among the most exciting performances in NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series came from Kirk Franklin in 2021. In just 15 minutes, he delivered a great set of some of his most well-known songs, making it the most viewed gospel performance of Tiny Desk history.
He performed hits “Love Theory”, “Silver and Gold”, “Melodies from Heaven”, and “I Smile”, bringing his signature energy and genuine fire to this platform. Released during the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic, it was a breath of fresh air in the midst of national quarantine.
The performance quickly went viral, racking up over 17 million views on NPR's channel. With the support of a stellar band and amazing vocalists, Franklin turned the session into a memorable moment of worship.
Jonathan McReynolds & Mali Music: A Joyful Holiday Collab
In December 2021, Jonathan McReynolds and Mali Music performed a soulful 20-minute session of gospel and Christmas songs on NPR’s Tiny Desk, allowing warmth and joy to flow into the holidays. Their chemistry and musicianship created a joyful, cozy vibe that made the performance special for gospel fans.
Their setlist included seven songs: Christmas Time Is Here, O Come All Ye Faithful, Silent Night, Mary, Did You Know?, Joy to the World, Movin' On, and Go Tell It on the Mountain. A standout moment was their performance of Movin On, a fan favorite and collaboration between the two artists. Their voices and verses beautifully underscored the song's message of hope and resilience.
With more than 580,000 views and counting, the performance left a lasting impression on the Tiny Desk and gospel community.
Shirley Caesar: The Timeless Gospel Legend
The legendary gospel singer Shirley Caesar made a stunning 13-minute appearance on NPR’s series in 2022, bringing her enduring voice and presence.
Her set selection, which has over 220,000 views by far, featured gospel classics, demonstrating her timeless dedication to justice and faith.
The set included four songs: It's Alright, It's Ok, I Remember Mama, Armor Of God, and Take Your Knee Off My Neck. Caesar's Tiny Desk performance was more than just music; it was a call to action and a time of worship!
Maverick City Music: A Spirit-Filled Experience
As the first Christian group to perform on the iconic NPR music series, Maverick City Music made news in 2022 with an incredible Tiny Desk Concert—and they definitely made it count!
The group, which is well-known for its lively and contemporary style of gospel worship music, gave a limited but powerful performance that left a great impact on both the live audience and viewers.
The group performed 4 of their hits, including “Man of Your Word”, “Million Little Miracles”, “Jireh”, and “Kingdom,” with a memorable moment as Kirk Franklin joins MCM 11 minutes in, adding his intensity to the set.
The group’s sincere devotion and the smooth blend of classic gospel with features of modern Christian music have attracted over 3.6 million views on YouTube, proving that gospel music can reach far beyond the walls of the church and into the hearts of a global audience.
Tamela Mann: A Testament to Faith and Strength
Tamela Mann’s Tiny Desk performance in 2023 was an amazing set of gospel power. She sang four of her very own (Finished, Change Me, Take Me to the King, I Can Only Imagine) during her 21-minute performance, which was touching. With this performance, Mann solidified her position as a gospel powerhouse.
With 464,000 views and counting, this Tiny Desk is a must-watch because of her impact on the gospel industry. She gave listeners an encouraging message after the last notes of I Can Only Imagine ended: “Let’s just hold on to faith, hold on to hope, hold on to joy, because it still exists in our society.”
Tye Tribbett: Everything Will Be Alright!
Gospel star Tye Tribbett’s incredible 18-minute performance on NPR’s series in 2023 had viewers on the edge of their seats! Tribbett’s performance was highly anticipated, and he did NOT let his fans down!
Tribbett delivered a medley of six songs, including “No Way”, “Get Up”, “Victory”, “Everything”, “He Turned It”, and “We Gon’ Be Alright”.
Fans were so excited to see a gospel veteran like Tribbett step onto the Tiny Desk stage; the numbers speak for themselves—the performance received 1.9 million views since it was released.
From the moment he started, his memorable stage presence and unique vocals created an atmosphere of praise that went beyond the small space of the NPR studio.
Kierra Sheard-Kelly: Gospel Tiny Desk or a Sunday Service?
Kierra Sheard-Kelly’s 23-minute anointed performance on NPR’s series in 2024 showcased a set of 10 of her hits, showing her powerful vocals and devotion to gospel music.
Her set included the songs "You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet," "You Don’t Know," "Yes," "Love Like Crazy," "Praise Offering," "It Keeps Happening," "Indescribable," "Something Has to Break," "" "All Yours," "Hang On," and "Miracles."
Sheard-Kelly's performance, with 785,000 views and counting, has truly stood out, showing how much the presence of God can reach through gospel music. “I don’t want to make this Tiny Desk a Sunday morning service”, she humorously stated, accurately expressing her ability to create a Sunday morning worship experience in NPR’s venue. But she did. This is a part of what makes her a force in gospel music.
Marvin Sapp: Absolutely Worth the Wait!
A master in gospel music, Marvin Sapp’s Tiny Desk demonstrated his decades-long influence. The 18-minute performance, released Feb. 2025, has already reached 1.2 million views and counting.
Sapp sang exerpts from 12 of his songs: I Believe, Not the Time Not the Place, Grace and Mercy, Perfect Peace, Shout Unto God, Here I Am, Praise Him in Advance, You Are God Alone, He Has His Hands on You, My Testimony, The Best in Me, Never Would Have Made It.
This performance was a moment of ministry as much as a demonstration of his vocal ability.
“What’s funny is, I saw some of y’all singing these songs, and y’all weren’t even born when I recorded them,” he joked at the end of his performance.
After the show, he spent time talking and praying with the crowd, reaffirming that ministry always comes first for him.
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