NPR Music’s 2025 Tiny Desk Contest acquired greater than 7,000 entries, together with some standouts within the folks and nation genres.
MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST:
NPR Music’s 2025 Tiny Desk Contest simply wrapped up its nationwide tour with winner Ruby Ibarra, a rapper from the Bay Space. In the meantime, our judges additionally found tons of nice new musicians by means of the competition, so we’re sharing a few of the finest this summer time on ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. Robin Hilton is a contest choose, additionally host of Tiny Desk and All Songs Thought-about. And he is again to speak about the very best folks and nation entries from this yr’s contest. Robin, my fellow host, welcome.
ROBIN HILTON, BYLINE: Hey, Mary Louise.
KELLY: Hey. The place ought to we begin?
HILTON: Oh, so many to select from. However let’s begin with what was probably the most memorable efficiency I noticed. It is from a Nashville artist named Ollie Gabriel, and the music he despatched in known as “Ric Aptitude.” And it’s extremely a lot rooted in nation, however it does one thing that we have been listening to lots the place artists mix basic nation sounds with rap.
KELLY: OK. For sure, I have not heard this music ‘trigger it is new. Let’s hearken to it, “Ric Aptitude.”
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “RIC FLAIR”)
OLLIE GABRIEL: (Singing) I met this woman once I was driving by means of Kentucky. Stopped for a chew and he or she was strolling out of Buc-ee’s. I moseyed over, requested her, do you want a buddy? She say she with it. Obtained the digits. I used to be fortunate. She circled. I used to be locked in a stare. That form of girl make a Nature Boy rise, Ric Aptitude, woo.
KELLY: (Laugher) It is already caught in my head.
HILTON: (Laughter) Proper?
KELLY: What caught you about this one, Robin?
HILTON: Properly, I imply, I feel it stands by itself. It is clearly very infectious. However I feel to kind of actually get the entire bundle, you bought to look at the video. Ollie Gabriel is a star. He’s so magnetic, completely charming. It is form of thrilling to look at.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “RIC FLAIR”)
GABRIEL: (Singing) Woo.
KELLY: OK, who’s subsequent?
HILTON: Let’s hear a music known as “10,000 Ft.” That is by an Arkansas singer and guitarist named Jeff Scott. He is acquired this basic nation voice. He mentioned that he was impressed by folks and nation greats like John Prine or Merle Haggard, and I feel you’ll be able to actually hear that.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “10,000 FEET”)
JEFF SCOTT: (Singing) I purchased me a beer on the cafe in ideas it’d preserve myself sane. And there was no trying behind me as I set foot on the aircraft. However the sky fell down like water. And the entire world, it got here into view. And 10,000 ft over Tulsa (ph), I began lacking you.
KELLY: Oh, I feel you possibly can not have introduced us two extra completely different songs. That is simply him, his voice, his guitar and that is it, proper?
HILTON: Yeah, I imply, some artists go actually, actually huge. Some go actually, actually small. You may have only a huge an affect whatever the manufacturing. You already know, we simply wish to join with what they’re making an attempt to say.
KELLY: Yeah. OK, so you’ve got acquired one final entry you wish to share with us. And I am curious what path you are going to take us in.
HILTON: Yeah, it is truly a type of smaller performances. It is very spare, very intimate. Only a solo guitar and singer from San Diego who goes by the identify Shua. And I will simply say that that is a type of entries that had me bawling my eyes out the second I heard it. It’s so stunning, so transferring. The music that Shua did known as “Damaged.” And I feel that the lyrics can simply wreck you in the absolute best method.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “BROKEN”)
SHUA: (Singing) Can I name at 1 a.m.? Feeling like a wreck once more. Tempted to chop myself in two. I would like a health care provider, do not know who. By some means, I do know it is my fault. I ain’t prayed sufficient in any respect. That is what they mentioned once I confessed. God, are you able to hear me? Are you able to inform me, did you make me like this? Did you set me collectively damaged, damaged, damaged? Did you make me like this? Will I all the time be so damaged, damaged, damaged?
KELLY: I can hear it.
HILTON: Proper?
KELLY: I can hear what had you bawling your eyes out.
HILTON: Oh, and that voice, too, proper?
KELLY: Properly, Robin Hilton, thanks a lot for coming to share a few of the finest folks and nation entries from this yr’s Tiny Desk Contest.
HILTON: Thanks for having me.
KELLY: All proper, it is Robin Hilton of NPR Music. And you may watch all these entries, and 1000’s extra, at npr.org/tinydeskcontest.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “BROKEN”)
SHUA: (Singing) Come work your magic. Present it off.
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