Tori Kelly Delivers Intimate Tiny Desk Performance Highlighting New Album and Sing Cover

On September 10, 2026, NPR Music’s Tiny Desk series welcomed singer‑songwriter Tori Kelly to its Washington, D.C. studio. The performance, produced by Ashley Pointer and directed by Joshua Bryant, showcased Kelly’s latest studio effort, God Must Really Love Me, and a cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Don’t You Worry ’Bout a Thing” that she performed in the animated film Sing.

Kelly arrived at the desk while her all‑woman band was already rehearsing. The group, composed of Tiny Desk alumnae, included guitarist Jordan Waters, bassist Kyla Wright, keyboardist Lynette Williams, drummer Taylor “The Pocket Queen” Gordon, and background vocalists Chelsea “Peaches” West, RaVaughn Brown, and Mariah Bernard. Kelly herself handled vocals, guitar, and a toy glockenspiel, adding a playful texture to the set.

The setlist reflected the breadth of Kelly’s catalog and the themes of her new album. She opened with “Hurts So Good,” a track that appears on God Must Really Love Me, followed by “Without You,” “Fly,” and the Sing cover of “Don’t You Worry ’Bout a Thing.” The performance continued with “Bird,” “Control,” and “Tokyo,” the latter two also from the 2026 release. The set included brief previews of “Nobody Love” and “Dear One,” offering listeners a taste of the album’s full track list.

God Must Really Love Me was released on June 12, 2026, through Epic Records. The fourteen‑track album explores Kelly’s faith journey and her experience as a new mother. Critics have noted the record’s blend of gratitude, anxiety, and grounded joy. Reviewers from Melodic Mag and Shatter the Standards highlighted the restrained production of “Pray For You” and the nuanced approach to forgiveness in “Pray For You.” Other outlets, such as Eulalie Magazine and Architeg Prints, described the album as an intimate look at Kelly’s personal life, noting the marriage, her son, and her spiritual perspective.

Kelly’s career began on YouTube, where she built a fan base before advancing to American Idol’s ninth season in 2010. She released her debut EP Handmade Songs in 2012, followed by the major‑label EP Foreword in 2013, which entered the U.S. Billboard 200’s top 20. Her debut studio album, Unbreakable Smile (2015), peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 and produced three singles that entered the Billboard Hot 100. Kelly’s second album, Hiding Place (2018), earned two Grammy Awards for Best Gospel Album and Best Gospel Performance/Song.

In addition to her recording career, Kelly has expanded into voice work. She voiced the character Meena in the Sing franchise, performing the Wonder cover that appeared on the film’s soundtrack. The song, originally written by Stevie Wonder in 1973, was included on the Sing soundtrack released by Republic/Universal Pictures in 2016.

The Tiny Desk concert was recorded with a small crew: audio engineer Josephine Nyounai mixed the session, while Valentina Rodríguez Sánchez handled additional audio engineering. Videographers Joshua Bryant, Maia Stern, and Bronson Arcuri captured the performance, and the series editor Lars Gotrich oversaw the final edit.

The show was praised for its intimacy and the energy Kelly brought to the stage. NPR’s own framing of the performance emphasized her “commanding voice” and the genuine joy she carried into the room. The Tiny Desk series, known for stripped‑down performances in a small office setting, has become a platform for artists to showcase their music in a relaxed environment.

As of the date of the concert, Kelly remains an active figure in the music industry, with her latest album adding to a catalog that spans pop, gospel, and soul. Her Tiny Desk performance serves as a concise representation of her current artistic focus and her continued engagement with fans through live, intimate shows.

The concert is available on NPR Music’s website and YouTube channel, where viewers can watch the full set and hear the blend of original songs and the Sing cover performed by Kelly and her band.