Here’s Why Tokischa Is Disappointed by Her NPR Tiny Desk Performance

Following the release of the NPR Tiny Desk featuring Tokischa, the Dominican rapper had further thoughts on her performance — and let’s just say she wasn’t too satisfied with the final results.

“I knew el tiny was bad since I recorded it, without rehearsing, without warming up my voice, in the hustle and bustle, sick, in the middle of a tour,” she wrote on Twitter. “I asked for another date, but it was not possible, se le dio rulay, the musicians gave it, I owe them a good live sesh ? thank you ? and sorry ?.”

Ya sabía q me había quedado mal el tiny desde q lo grabé, sin ensayar, sin calentar la voz, en ajetreo, enferma, en medio de tour, pedí otra fecha pero no se podía, se le dio rulay, lo músico si le metieron, yo les debo un buen live sesh ? gracias ? y sorry ?

— Tokischa Peralta (@tokischa_) October 12, 2022

In case you missed it, Toki’s NPR Tiny Desk performance was released yesterday (Oct. 12) and featured reworked arrangements of some of her most popular tracks — completely different from the original pieces. She performed a total of six songs: “Perra,” “Hola, “Somos Iguales,” “Delincuente,” “ESTILAZO,” and even an unreleased corrido titled “Kilos De Amor.”

ppl hating on tokischa on her tiny desk. y’all just don’t get it that’s mother

— niah (@_n1ah) October 12, 2022

The result garnered mixed opinions from social media users. However, most are replying to the “Linda” singer’s concerns with encouragement. A Twitter user wrote: “Toki, you did very well. You got out of tune but only a little bit and that’s normal, it happens to everyone. The beautiful thing was to see how you went out of your comfort zone and managed to do super good versions of your songs. Not everyone dares to do that. You don’t owe anything to anyone. You are yourself out loud!”

Toki, lo hiciste muy bien. Desafinaste pero solo un poco y es normal, a todo el mundo le pasa. Lo hermoso fue ver como saliste de tu zona de confort y lograste hacer versiones súper buenas de tus canciones. No todo el mundo se atreve. No le debes nada a nadie. Eres tú en alta!?

— Jennifer (@CurlyJennifer) October 12, 2022

Another fan wrote: “Don’t worry my love, several points: That’s not going to stop your career from being successful. People will continue to enjoy your music anyway. Whether you sing beautifully or badly, you will still be a Tokischa.”

Others chimed in about the importance of representation. “I loved it. None of the Dominican Republic’s urban artists can say they did what you did. I loved that you sang in other genres super unexpectedly. I felt your vibe which is what people like.”

A mi me encanto. Ninguno de los del género urbano en RD puede decir que hizo lo que hiciste. Ame que cantaras en otros género súper inesperado. Se sintió tu vibra que es lo que la gente le gusta.

— Steven Gonzalez (@Saggx324) October 12, 2022

Whether or not Toki felt fully prepared for the NPR Tiny Desk performance, what remains true is the set’s creativity and uniqueness that is heard throughout her reimagined song versions. That amount of effort speaks for itself.

ICYMI, watch Tokischa’s Tiny Desk concert here: