The YouTube video of which has amassed over 99 million views so far, making it the 3rd most popular video in the Tiny Desk series. Their performance with Paak at his NPR Tiny Desk Concert in August 2016 is possibly their most significant appearance to date. They took their own interpretation of this, being 'indigenous to the music' by paying homage to the influential musicians before them. Free Nationals is a term which means the first settlers of America before Columbus came, the people indigenous to the land.
The idea for their name came from their mentor Shafiq Huisayn.
The band went on to produce for Anderson and frequently tour with him. Kelsey and Callum joined them soon after and they formed the Free Nationals. Paak while studying at Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California in the late 2000's. Guitarist José Ríos and keyboardist Ron Avant met Anderson. The group consists of José Ríos (lead guitar, backing vocals), Ron 'T.Nava' Avant (keyboard, rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Kelsey Gonzales (bass guitar, bass synth) and Callum Connor (drums, percussion, backing vocals). Free Nationals are an American R&B band formed in Los Angeles, California.
