Tiny Desk Concerts is a video series featuring live performances that was first created in 2008 by Stephen Thompson of NPR and co-created and hosted by Bob Boilen, who previously worked on All Songs Considered, in Washington, D.C. The series has faced criticism in the past for its limited range of musical genres, particularly for excluding country and hip-hop, but it has since expanded its musical diversity. After 35 years, Boilen retired from NPR in October 2023, and Bobby Carter was appointed as the new host and series producer for Tiny Desk Concerts. A native of St. Louis, Carter is a well-respected DJ, writer, and public speaker.
Carter’s strong work ethic stems from his upbringing in St. Louis and being raised by a single mother. He credits his style, taste, and sensibility to his St. Louis roots and has always aspired to be a DJ. While in his sophomore year at Riverview Gardens High School, he realized he wanted to pursue a career in radio or music. After discovering that there was more to radio than just playing music or being a personality, he decided to major in broadcast production. Carter’s career began in 1999 when he joined NPR as a DJ for member station WJSU in Jackson, Mississippi, where he gained comprehensive knowledge of the radio industry, including its technical aspects.
After completing his studies at Jackson State University in the summer of 2000, Carter moved to Washington D.C. to become the first intern for the upcoming web music program, All Songs Considered. He was subsequently employed by NPR’s New Media department, where he played a key role in developing the digital framework for NPR’s daily operations, facilitating live and on-demand coverage of significant historical events such as five Presidential elections, the Iraq War, and 9/11. When NPR Music was launched in 2007, he contributed his skills to the team, leading live broadcasts from venues like the 9:30 Club, La Poisson Rouge in New York, The Americana Awards, SXSW, and the Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals.
In 2014, Carter produced his inaugural Tiny Desk Concert. Since then, his work has focused on the intersection of music, technology, and audience engagement. With Boilen’s mentorship, Carter introduced a new, diverse musical sound that encompassed hip-hop, R&B, and punk rock—genres that NPR audiences were not typically associated with at the time. He transformed a simple Tiny Desk celebration for Black History Month in 2021 into a cross-cultural event that integrated music, film, photojournalism, and commentary. Carter utilized this model to assemble new teams for a multi-dimensional, multi-continent, and multi-platform celebration of Black Music Month, LatinX Heritage Month, Asian American/Pacific Islander Month, and Indigenous Peoples Month.
From 2020 to 2022, Carter and the music team adapted to the challenges posed by the pandemic by creating the innovative Tiny Desk [Home] Concerts series, featuring artists such as Kirk Franklin, Tame Impala, Tems, Jazmine Sullivan, and C. Tangana. These home concerts not only helped sustain the Tiny Desk brand but also contributed to NPR’s growth. Carter has introduced a diverse lineup of both well-known and emerging artists, capturing memorable performances from talents like Usher, Mac Miller, Noname, Anderson .Paak, and H.E.R. Even major stars like Usher have utilized Tiny Desk to connect with new audiences.
Carter is a strong advocate for culture in all his endeavors. During his tenure at NPR, he has played a key role in expanding NPR Music’s influence, earning several accolades including multiple Webby Awards, an Anthem Award, and a BET Hip Hop Award nomination. Congratulations to Bobby Carter for his outstanding work.
