Ruby Ibarra performs with all-Filipino band on NPR's' Tiny Desk Concert
Filipino-American rapper and producer Ruby Ibarra made her NPR Tiny Desk Concert debut, performing with an all-Filipino band.
NPR said that out of 7,500 entries from independent artists across the country, Ibarra emerged victorious at this year's contest.
"Ibarra's Contest entry, Bakunawa, stunned this year's panel of judges with its multilingual, intergenerational band and passionate emcee," they wrote. With her was an all-Filipino band, consisting of R&B singer Ouida, members of Pinay Voltron and Astralogik, and June Millington.
The 34-year-old musician, who hails from Tacloban City, began with Bakunawa before performing 7000 Miles and Someday.
During the performance, Ibarra reflected on how journey as an artist. She revealed that six years prior, she and her band, The Balikbayans, had submitted an entry for Tiny Desk but didn't win, admitting she was "pretty heartbroken."
Despite the disappointment, she expressed gratitude for how that journey helped her "see [herself] more clearly," emphasizing that this win in 2025 was "so much better."
"Six years ago, I submitted for the Tiny Desk for the very first time with my band, The Balikbayans, and this last song was that submission. We didn't win at that time, and I admit I was pretty heartbroken. But I have to say that winning this time around was so much better. And that journey in between, [those] six years, has allowed me to see myself more clearly—to recognize that I don't ever have to compromise my art, and I never have to ask permission to be myself. So that journey has been everything and I'm so grateful for all the communities that we've met," she said before singing the last song.
Earlier this month, 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.
Ibarra is known for making songs that revolve around her cultural heritage and her experiences as an immigrant to the US from the Philippines. Born in the Philippines and raised in the United States, her music career began after seeing Filipino rapper Francis Magalona on TV.
She officially launched her career in 2015, signing with Beatrock Music, and released her debut album, Circa 1991, two years later, addressing social justice issues like immigration and trauma.
Since then, Ibarra has worked on projects with The Filipino Channel, performed at festivals, and earned endorsements. Beyond music, she co-founded the Pinay Rising scholarship program for Filipina students in 2020 and received the Creative Promise award from Vilcek Foundation in 2023.
Watch the performance below.
