If I asked you to guess whose Tiny Desk concert has amassed over 44 million views, who would you say? Not CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso, that’s for sure. For years now, NPR’s Tiny Desk has been a staple within the world of music – having hosted great artists like Khruangbin, Leon Bridges, and, not to mention, the late, great, Mac Miller. Artists are invited to jam and play intimate, stripped-back versions of their songs. CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso were invited to partake in El Tiny, a special iteration of Tiny Desk aimed at showcasing and celebrating talent from Latin America. Little did they know this opportunity would go on to change the trajectory – and lives – of the Argentinian duo.

CA7RIEL and Paco met back in elementary school, both heavily invested in music from an early age. CA7RIEL was already proficient on the guitar, while Paco studied violin before moving on to the drums because, as he put it, he wanted to be a “rockstar.” The duo collaborated and dropped music together up until 2020, when they went their separate ways.

During their solo stints, both artists released projects – CA7RIEL’s EL DISKO, and Paco Amoroso’s SAETA. Both projects are definitely worth a listen, as they offer deep insight into what each member brings to the table musically. CA7RIEL’S EL DISKO features a diverse tracklist exploring jarring trap, funk, industrial dance, and neo-soul – this record has it all. On the other hand, Paco Amoroso’s SAETA is more grounded in R&B and house music, with the highlight being Paco’s smooth and charistmatic vocal delivery. Even though both records were solid and well-received, neither quite brought them solo success. Something was missing.

Eventually, the duo reunited and, in 2024, dropped their first full-length commercial project Baño María – a project heavily rooted in reggaeton and trap, while occasionally mixing in elements of EDM, house, and lo-fi. Baño María went on to spark both a Latin American and U.S. tour in early 2025. It seems the duo is committed and are moving forward together for the long run.

Both CA7RIEL and Paco have said in various interviews that they like to “mess around” with their music and keep people guessing their next move. They aren’t lying. Their song “EL ÚNICO” pokes fun at themselves for realizing they’re having relations with the same person. Meanwhile “#TETAS” playfully critiques people’s obsession with appearances and social media trends – all in a funny, catchy, and joyful way. The duo clearly connects with today’s internet culture, portraying themselves as exaggerated “chads” with pointy jawlines and fake abs in the “RE FORRO” music video. You should definitely check that one out – it’s super charming. The plot follows the duo splitting up, only to reunite at the “Latin Chaddys,” an obvious nod to the Latin Grammys. It’s a perfect example of how the group connects with their audience through humor, self-awareness, and an embrace of online trends and culture.

Flash forward 6 months after the release of Baño María we arrive at the turning point, that is their Tiny Desk performance – the duo’s stock value skyrocketed. To the surprise that, even my partner, who doesn’t really keep up with music like that, had heard about the viral Tiny Desk. We both immediately raved about the iconic rendition of “LA QUE PUEDE, PUEDE.” The performance would go on to pull in so many eyes that major festivals had no choice but to book the Buenos Aires-based project: Glastonbury, Coachella, and Lollapalooza, just to name a few. They even have an upcoming performance at Tyler, The Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw.

On March 6, 2025 CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso dropped their most recent project, PAPOTA – a record inspired by their Tiny Desk performance. They even went as far as reusing the same outfits from said performance for both the album cover and the “IMPOSTOR” music video. PAPOTA reflects everything that’s happened since their viral breakthrough, with songs that openly discuss their imposter syndrome and the pressure of living up to fans expectations. Many tracks also dive into their friendship, like “EL DÍA DEL AMIGO” and “RE FORRO” which don’t shy away from the duo’s hardships. From the outside, CA7RIEL and Paco seem to click effortlessly, and honestly, I’d be shocked if they ever split again.

I’m excited to see where CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso go from here. The duo has already found massive success – recently opening for Kendrick Lamar on the Latin American leg of the GNX Tour – and are now on their own European run. Sky’s the limit for these two. Their sound is both experimental and familiar, a perfect reflection of the current landscape of Latin Music.

Catch CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso at Camp Flog Gnaw this November 22-23, either in person or via Amazon’s live feed from the festival.

Links to their artist pages are below – go check them out.