NPR Music’s 2025 Tiny Desk Contest bought 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 way of the competition, so we’re sharing a number 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, nevertheless it does one thing that we have been listening to so much the place artists mix basic nation sounds with rap.
KELLY: OK. For sure, I have never heard this music ‘trigger it is new. Let’s take heed to it, “Ric Aptitude.”
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “RIC FLAIR”)
OLLIE GABRIEL: (Singing) I met this lady once I was driving by way of Kentucky. Stopped for a chunk 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. Received the digits. I used to be fortunate. She rotated. I used to be locked in a stare. That type 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 believe it stands by itself. It is clearly very infectious. However I believe to type of actually get the entire package deal, you bought to look at the video. Ollie Gabriel is a star. He’s so magnetic, completely charming. It is type of thrilling to look at.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “RIC FLAIR”)
GABRIEL: (Singing) Woo.
KELLY: OK, who’s subsequent?
HILTON: Let’s hear a music referred to as “10,000 Toes.” That is by an Arkansas singer and guitarist named Jeff Scott. He is bought this basic nation voice. He stated that he was impressed by folks and nation greats like John Prine or Merle Haggard, and I believe you possibly can actually hear that.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “10,000 FEET”)
JEFF SCOTT: (Singing) I purchased me a beer on the cafe in ideas it would preserve myself sane. And there was no wanting behind me as I set foot on the airplane. However the sky fell down like water. And the entire world, it got here into view. And 10,000 toes over Tulsa (ph), I began lacking you.
KELLY: Oh, I believe you 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’ll be able to have only a huge an impression whatever the manufacturing. You already know, we simply wish to join with what they’re attempting to say.
KELLY: Yeah. OK, so you have bought one final entry you wish to share with us. And I am curious what route you are going to take us in.
HILTON: Yeah, it is truly a kind of smaller performances. It’s extremely spare, very intimate. Only a solo guitar and singer from San Diego who goes by the title Shua. And I will simply say that that is a kind of entries that had me bawling my eyes out the second I heard it. It’s so stunning, so shifting. The music that Shua did known as “Damaged.” And I believe that the lyrics can simply wreck you in the very best approach.
(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 physician, do not know who. One way or the other, I do know it is my fault. I ain’t prayed sufficient in any respect. That is what they stated 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 at all times 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 number 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’ll 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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