The 2025 Tiny Desk Contest Winner is Ruby Ibarra, who stood out a competitive pool of nearly 7,500 submissions–the largest amount of applicants since the contest’s origin in 2014. Hosted by NPR Music, the annual contest recognizes and celebrates emerging musical talent from across the United States.
As the winner, Ibarra performed at the renowned NPR Tiny Desk that you can watch here on YouTube. This summer she will embark on a national tour where you can witness her powerful storytelling live.
Based in the Bay Area, Ruby Ibarra is a Filipina American rapper, spoken word artist, director, and co-founder of Bolo Music Group. Ibarra commands the stage with lyricism that blends English with various Filipino languages (Tagalog, Bisaya, Waray), highlighting immigration trials and triumphs. Her winning Tiny Desk Contest entry, “Bakunawa” is inspired by the moon-eating dragon of Philippine mythology, as well as the birth of her first child. In her track she reflects on breaking generational cycles while being supported by an intergenerational Filipina band.
A crowd fills the NPR office in anticipation of Ruby Ibarra’s performance.
On her featured Tiny Desk performance, Ibarra once again brings together intergenerational musicians and continues to center Filipino American culture as band mates wear modernized barongs by the Niana Collection and Ibarra sports a cheeky “I ♥ Pinays” shirt. She gives a special shout out to Han Han, who sings on the original Bakunawa track but could not make it to the NPR recording.
Lasi, on the keys, is a music producer, co-founder and president of Bolo Music Group, which he co-launched with Ibarra in 2024.
June Millington is a pioneering guitarist from the American Rock band Fanny active in the 1970s. Fanny was the first all-women rock band to achieve critical acclaim and release an album on a major label. Millington has been called a “godmother of women’s music”.
Sisters Camille (flute and bass) and Jojo (percussion) are session multi-instrumentalists and members of the all-women, 8-piece band Pinay Vltrn.
Ouida, on vocals, is a singer songwriter and Bolo Music Group Artist.
Charito, on vocals, is a singer songwriter, 1/2 of the duo Astralogik, and band mom of Pinay Vltrn.
Thank you to NPR Music and staff for the incredible opportunity to photograph and showcase Filipina talent and storytelling.
Watch Ruby Ibarra perform at NPR’s Tiny Desk here!
