Iman Europe & Kaelin Ellis "Masterpiece" Live (2025 NPR Tiny Desk Contest Submission)

Описание: Kaelin Ellis and I are honored to submit "Masterpiece" for this year’s Tiny Desk Contest. As close collaborators, we share a deep love for jazz, hip-hop, R&B, soul, and funk, blending these genres in a way that feels both timeless and fresh.

This song is a true representation of our artistry—Kaelin’s dynamic production, deeply rooted in jazz and experimental soundscapes, provided the perfect foundation for my songwriting, which weaves together themes of self-affirmation, resilience, and transformation. My writing is deeply introspective, poetic, and emotionally driven, and with "Masterpiece," I wanted to create something that not only uplifts but also affirms the listener in their own journey.

I am a descendant of James Reese Europe, a jazz pioneer known for fusing styles, introducing syncopated music, and making jazz a popular sound. He is credited for introducing jazz to Europe. Carrying on that legacy, my music blends past and present, pushing the boundaries of genre while staying rooted in storytelling and soul.

Kaelin is an acclaimed multi-instrumentalist and producer whose work spans from independent projects to collaborations with Lupe Fiasco, Denzel Curry, and Virgil Abloh. His signature sound—melding lush instrumentation with crisp, forward-thinking production—has shaped the identity of "Masterpiece" and the album we’ve been crafting together, Chrysalis, set to release in May 2025.

Our band is made up of myself, Kaelin Ellis, Oh Gosh Leotus, and Josh 2800—a collective of musicians dedicated to pushing sonic boundaries while staying true to the roots of jazz, soul, and groove. For this submission, our background singers weren’t available to film with us, but just imagine how much greater this performance becomes when they’re with us live!

Kaelin and I currently have one collaborative project together titled "Moneymorphosis" and are set to release our second collaborative project this year.

We are incredibly grateful to Tiny Desk for creating a platform that highlights independent artists like us. We have always dreamed of performing on Tiny Desk, and this would be the perfect opportunity to share our artistry in its purest form. Thank you for this chance, for championing musicians of all backgrounds, and for continuing to provide a space where storytelling and sound come together in such an authentic way.

Performed & Written by: Iman Europe
Produced by: Kaelin Ellis
Musicians: Kaelin Ellis, Josh 2800, Oh Gosh Leotus.
Shot & Edited by: Isaiah Pearce
Mixed by: Taylor Alford
Makeup by: Elyse Thoms
Creative Direction by: Iman Europe
Posing / Framing by : Chelsea Bre
Crowd Members: Elyse Thoms, Chelsea Bre, Liston Gregory III, and V E T.

Stream "Masterpiece" here:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/3uWnUQ...
Apple Music:   / masterpiece-single  

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