One of Them Days wins Candle in the Dark

Welcome to the third annual IBAMMYs Culture Awards Show, where we reflect and honor the best and worst cultural moments of the year.

Brittany is joined by Sam Sanders, host of KCRW's The Sam Sanders Show, and Tre'vell Anderson, host of The Seated podcast. All three nominated a person or moment for each of the four categories. NPR's Culture Committee then voted on a winner. Today, we reveal the winners and losers of 2025 and run through the moments we want to remember or forget.

This year's categories & nominees are:

Word of the Year:
"Slop"
"Clock it"
"Labubu"

Villain of the Year:
Sydney Sweeney
Glinda the Good Witch
Billionaires

The Candle in the Dark:
PinkPantheress
One of Them Days
Liniker

Not-on-My-Bingo Card:
KPop Demon Hunters
Yolanda Adams
Katy Perry

Who will win?

(0:00) How will you look back on 2025?
(2:30) The Word of the Year: Slop, Clock It, or Labubu?
(7:51) Villain of the Year: Sydney Sweeney, Billionaires, Wicked Glinda?
(18:07) What brought you joy this year?
(23:23) Not-on-my-Bingo Card: Kpop Demon Hunters, Yolanda Adams, Katy Perry

Support Public Media. Join NPR Plus.

Follow Brittany Luse on Instagram: @bmluse

For handpicked podcast recommendations every week, subscribe to NPR’s Pod Club newsletter at npr.org/podclub.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy