Tiny Desk Contest
And the winner is...
Thousands of entries. One winner.
We're excited to name Cure For Paranoia as the winner of the 2026 Tiny Desk Contest.
meet the winner
Cure For Paranoia, the genre-bending project of Dallas-based rapper Cameron McCloud and friends, is a dynamic group whose music is playful and political. McCloud says that he started Cure For Paranoia to share the therapeutic experience that "creating music with his people" offered him. A pre-school teacher by day, he posted a new rap every day on social media for all of 2025.
You can see Cure For Paranoia live this summer at our Tiny Desk Contest On The Road tour.
what the judges said
Robin Hilton
“A perfect mix of catharsis, humor and humanity, Cure For Paranoia’s songs get stuck in your head and won’t let go.”
Bobby Carter
“Cure For Paranoia is destined to be a creative force in the music industry. Cameron and the crew wowed us with creativity and versatility and I can’t wait to see what they bring to the Tiny Desk.”
Anamaria Sayre
"With energy, stunning flow and soul, Cure For Paranoia seems undeniably made for the Tiny Desk."
Alex Marrero
“When this popped up, I immediately felt something different. It just jumped out. The visuals were super cool and creative, BUT I could still totally envision them bringing the heat behind the Desk.”
Celia Gregory
“It's the rhymes and the rizz for me, but also the overall drive of the song and the horns. I can't wait to see what's next for Cameron and Co.”
Jessica Linker
“This inspired performance had it all: confidence, personality, creativity and a dynamic and powerful song.”
Madison McFerrin
“Cure For Paranoia’s energy is infectious, fresh and distinctly theirs — exactly what you want in a Contest winner!”
Katie Crutchfield
"Cure For Paranoia really stood out amongst the rest!"
Tierra Whack
"We finally found the cure."
Here's where you can watch videos from the musicians who've entered the 2026 Tiny Desk Contest. Find your band's entry, or just have a look around at what everyone's been creating.
see the latest
Tiny Desk Contest
FORAGER: Tiny Desk Concert
January 28, 2026 • The witty and unpredictable band from Brooklyn is an in-house favorite of the Tiny Desk Contest judges. We knew it was finally time to bring in FORAGER proper.Tiny Desk Contest
Want to play a Tiny Desk concert? The 2026 Contest is now open for entries
January 14, 2026 • The 2026 Tiny Desk Contest, our annual search for the next great undiscovered artist, is now officially open for entries.
Tiny Desk Contest
A 2025 Tiny Desk Contest judge shares favorite entries in pop and rock performances
July 26, 2025 • NPR Music's 2025 Tiny Desk Contest yielded thousands of entries, including some standouts in the pop and rock categories.Tiny Desk Contest
Here's the full lineup from the 2025 Tiny Desk Contest tour
July 25, 2025 • Meet the stacked list of past entrants and secret headliners who joined Contest winner Ruby Ibarra on the road.