Puerto Rican singer-songwriter and Latin rock icon Draco Rosa is the latest artist to perform at NPR’s Tiny Desk, delivering a career-spanning set that blended psychedelic rock, jazz, and Latin rhythms. The four-song performance featured “Lie Without a Lover,” “Quiero Vivir,” and “Todo Marcha Bien,” before closing with an extended rendition of “Vagabundo,” the title track from his acclaimed 1996 album, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.
After rising to fame as a member of Menudo in the 1980s, Rosa went on to co-write and produce some of Ricky Martin‘s biggest hits, including “Livin’ la Vida Loca,” “She Bangs,” and “The Cup of Life.” His solo career, meanwhile, saw him embrace a darker, more experimental sound, with Vagabundo becoming a landmark album in Latin alternative rock.
Performance Details
For his Tiny Desk performance, Rosa was accompanied by a six-piece band, including Puerto Rican jazz trumpeter Charlie Sepúlveda, whose playing brought a distinctive improvisational dimension to the extended finale.
The concert is part of NPR’s 2026 El Tiny series, celebrating Latin music during Hispanic Heritage Month. This year’s performances have also included Alex Ferreira, who reunited with Silvana Estrada for “Me Pierdo Contigo,” and YENDRY, who returned for her second Tiny Desk appearance. Los Tigres del Norte will be the last El Tiny Guest
Watch the Performance
Watch Draco Rosa’s Tiny Desk Concert below.
The performance is a testament to Rosa’s enduring talent and influence in the Latin music scene, and a great addition to the El Tiny series. With his unique blend of psychedelic rock, jazz, and Latin rhythms, Rosa continues to inspire and entertain audiences around the world. The Tiny Desk concert series has once again brought together some of the most talented artists in the industry, and Draco Rosa’s performance is definitely one to remember.
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