Marvin Sapp: Tiny Desk Concert

Ashley Pointer | February 28, 2025
The morning that Bishop Marvin Sapp came to NPR, he told me that it was his kids who really emphasized how important it was for him to accept our invitation to perform: "They told me, 'Dad, Tiny Desk is for the culture.' "

Backed by a four-piece band and a six-piece choir, Sapp transforms our office into a sanctuary, performing an 11-song medley of praise and worship hits that span more than three decades in music and ministry. From the moment his set begins, the spirit moves through the room, filling every corner with raw emotion, joy and reverence.

From Sapp's early days with the trailblazing '90s gospel group Commissioned to penning anthems like "Never Would Have Made It" — a song that transcends church walls — his impact is woven into the fabric of Black culture. "What's funny is, I saw some of y'all singing these songs, and y'all weren't even born when I recorded them," Sapp jokes, underscoring his intergenerational influence. Yet, despite his legendary status, Sapp took time after the performance to speak and pray with members of our audience, choosing ministry first, above all else.

SET LIST
"I Believe"
"Not the Time, Not the Place"
"Grace and Mercy"
"Perfect Peace"
"Shout Unto God"
"Here I Am"
"Praise Him in Advance"
"You Are God Alone"
"He Has His Hands on You"
"My Testimony"
"The Best in Me"
"Never Would Have Made It"

MUSICIANS
Bishop Marvin Sapp: vocals
Curtis Lindsey: keys, music director
Thaddeus Johnson: bass
Tavarius "Varo" Johnson: drums
Sam Mitchem: guitar
Christina Michelle: background vocals
Gus Lacy: background vocals
Shaki Wilson: background vocals
Jarmone: background vocals
A. D. Gillispie: background vocals
Melissa Lee: background vocals

TINY DESK TEAM
Producers: Bobby Carter, Ashley Pointer
Director/Editor: Joshua Bryant
Audio Technical Director: Josh Newell
Host/Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Kara Frame, Maia Stern, Mitra I. Arthur
Audio Engineer: Josephine Nyounai
Production Assistant: Dora Levite
Photographer: Michael Zamora
Tiny Desk Copy Editor: Lars Gotrich
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins

#nprmusic #tinydesk #marvinsapp