The Winner Takes It All: Understanding the Tiny Desk Contest The National Public Radio (NPR) Tiny Desk Contest has been a musical phenomenon since its inception in 2008.
Conceived by Bob Boilen, host of NPR's popular music program All Songs Considered, the contest was designed to discover new talent and create engaging content for NPR audiences.
A History of Innovation: How the Tiny Desk Contest Began The idea behind the contest was born out of Boilen's desire to showcase artists in an intimate setting – his own tiny desk at NPR headquarters.