Ruby Ibarra wins NPR Music's 2025 Tiny Desk Contest
Filipino rapper Ruby Ibarra is NPR Music's annual Tiny Desk Contest winner.
In an announcement on their website, NPR Music shared that the local music artist emerged victorious in their contest's 11th edition after she "captivated the judges with her striking originality, lyrical depth and commanding presence."
Ibarra, through her entry Bakunawa, managed to beat nearly 7,500 submissions from other independent artists across the US.
She shared that she was inspired to write her song while pregnant with her first child.
"During the recording of this submission, I was in my last trimester. That time in my life led to a moment of clarity as I thought about how I wanted to step into motherhood: breaking the generational trauma, celebrating and accepting all parts of myself, and reclaiming my power, both old and new—all things that I want to pass onto my daughter through our private moments and through my music," Ibarra said.
According to her, the song's title references the Philippine mythology about a dragon who swallows the moon.
"Similarly, this song interprets the story as a metaphor for resistance and a battle cry against erasure. This song, for me, is a statement that my daughter is my revolution and my hope that she will be liberated from the effects of our cultural history," she highlighted.
NPR Music detailed that Bakunawa "impressed" and "earned high praise" from this year's judging panel, which was comprised of a distinguished group of artists and music industry leaders.
"Ruby's stunning Tiny Desk contest submission was the very first to be featured on our top shelf and the last one standing," said Bobby Carter, Tiny Desk series producer and host.
"Bakunawa covers all the bases: beautifully arranged music, passion, and above all, authenticity. We've never seen or heard anything like Ruby Ibarra. She's special and she's ready. Give it up for our 2025 winner!" he added.
In turn, Ibarra expressed her gratitude towards Tiny Desk and praised them for being "one of the few platforms where music is truly celebrated and artists get to uncompromisingly showcase their artistry, lyrics and stories."
"I'm grateful and overjoyed to be able to share my music in a space where so many of my musical influences have performed. To me, winning this Contest means to be recognized as a songwriter, and is an affirmation that I'm on the right path as an independent artist from the Bay Area," she said.
NPR Music also shared the moment they told Ibarra that she won, where she couldn't help but cover her mouth in disbelief as she said, "Oh my god, I'm shaking."
As the winner, Ibarra will have a chance to hold an intimate concert behind NPR's iconic Tiny Desk in Washington, D.C. Other artists who have had this opportunity include Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter, Doechii, and Usher.
Afterwards, Ibarra will embark on the Tiny Desk Contest On The Road tour and perform for audiences across the country.
The Pinay rapper is known for making songs that revolve around her cultural heritage and her experiences as an immigrant to the US from the Philippines. Members of her band include Ouida, Han Han, June Millington, Anna Candari, Jojo Ramirez, and Camille Ramirez.
