Grammy Award for Best New Artist

Further information

Of the 65 acts who have won the award since its inception, 34 are solo female artists, 19 are duos or groups, and 12 are solo male artists. Of the solo male artists, half were given the award in its first decade; since 1970, only six solo male artists have won the award, the most recent being Chance the Rapper in 2017. From 1997 to 2003, and again from 2018 to 2025, all the winners were solo female artists.

Only five artists have won both Best New Artist and Album of the Year in the same year: Bob Newhart in 1961, Christopher Cross in 1981, Lauryn Hill in 1999, Norah Jones in 2003, and Billie Eilish in 2020. Of these, Cross, Jones, and Eilish had songs winning Record of the Year and Song of the Year for the same year, with Cross as the sole songwriter, Eilish as co-writer, and Jones lacking songwriting credit, which therefore made her miss out on completing the single year big four Grammy achievement, a feat that only Cross and Eilish attained; while Adele was the only artist to win all General field Grammys from separate occasions. Only two artists have lost Best New Artist yet won Album of the Year in the same year: Vaughn Meader in 1963 and Alanis Morissette in 1996.

For the award's first several years of existence, comedians and comic acts were regularly nominated, and one, Bob Newhart, won the award. However, this ended abruptly after 1963, and since then, only one comedian has been nominated for the award: Robin Williams in 1980. (That same year, the semi-comic act The Blues Brothers was also nominated.) Of all the winners, only three have been country artists. In 1997, LeAnn Rimes became the first country artist and (at age 14) the youngest artist to win the award. She was followed by Carrie Underwood in 2007 and Zac Brown Band in 2010. Additionally, 2017 marked the first time that two country artists were nominated in this category in the same year, in which Maren Morris and Kelsea Ballerini were both nominated. In 1990, Tone Lōc became the first rap artist to be nominated. In 2012, Skrillex became the first electronic-music artist to be nominated.

Eleven female rappers have been nominated for the award; Neneh Cherry, Lauryn Hill, Nicki Minaj, Iggy Azalea, Saweetie, Latto, Ice Spice and Doechii; with 2021 marking the first time that multiple female rappers were nominated in the same year, when Chika, Doja Cat and Megan Thee Stallion were all nominated. Hill and Megan Thee Stallion are the only winners.

The Judds, Indigo Girls, Wilson Phillips, SWV, The Chicks, Haim, Chloe x Halle and Katseye are the only all-female groups to be nominated for the award.

The Beatles, Tom Jones, Graham Nash of Crosby, Stills & Nash; Culture Club, Sade, Amy Winehouse, Adele, Sam Smith and Dua Lipa are the only British or English winners. Anne Murray, Men Without Hats, Corey Hart, Glass Tiger, Crash Test Dummies, Shania Twain, Alanis Morrisette, Nelly Furtado, Avril Lavigne, Feist, Drake, Justin Bieber, Alessia Cara and Kaytranada are the only Canadian artists to be nominated with Cara winning in 2018, the only woman to win a major category that year. Sheena Easton and Big Country are the only Scottish artists to bo nominated, with Easton winning in 1981. Lana Cantrell, Men at Work, Natalie Imbruglia, Iggy Azalea, Courtney Barnett and The Kid Laroi are the only Australian artists to be nominated, with Men at Work winning in 1983. The Swingle Sisters and Domi Louna from Domi & JD Beck; are the only French artists to be nominated, with the former winning in 1966, also the first foreign act to do so.

Astrud Gilberto, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Eumir Deodato, Morris Albert and Anitta are the only Brazilian artists to be nominated. Neneh Cherry and Ace of Base are the only Swedish artists to be nominated. Andrea Bocelli and Måneskin are the only Italian artists to be nominated.

In 1961, Miriam Makeba became the first South African artist to be nominated. In 1969, José Feliciano became the first Puerto Rican and blind artist to be nominated and win the award. In 1986, A-ha became the first Norwegian artists to be nominated while Sade became the first Nigerian to be nominated and win. In 1993, Jon Secada became the first Cuban to be nominated. In 2004, Sean Paul became the first Jamaican to be nominated. In 2012, Nicki Minaj became the first Trinidadian to be nominated. In 2020, Rosalía became the first Spanish and first all Spanish-language artist to be nominated. In 2021, Kaytranada became the first Haitian to be nominated. In 2022, Arooj Aftab became the first Pakistani artist to be nominated. In 2026, Sophia, Yoonchae and Manon from Katseye, became the first Philippine, South Korean and Swiss artists to be nominated.

1984 marked the first time that all of the nominees were from outside the United States (winner Culture Club, Eurythmics, Musical Youth, and Big Country were from the United Kingdom, and Men Without Hats were from Canada).

Natalie Cole, A Taste of Honey, Jody Watley, Tracy Chapman, Mariah Carey, Arrested Development, Toni Braxton, Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Esperanza Spalding, Chance the Rapper, Megan Thee Stallion, Samara Joy and Victoria Monét are the only African Americans to win the award.

Boy George of Culture Club, Tracy Chapman, Sam Smith, Billie Eilish, Megan Thee Stallion, Victoria Monét, and Chappell Roan are the only LGBT+ artists to win the award.

David Crosby and Carl Palmer hold the distinction of being the only artists to be nominated twice for this award. Palmer was nominated both times as a member of a supergroup: Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Asia, while Crosby was nominated as a member of The Byrds and won as a member of the supergroup Crosby, Stills & Nash.

Eight artists who have been nominated for Best New Artist have later been awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award: The Beatles (1965, 2014), Chicago (1970, 2020), Cream (1969, 2006), Jefferson Airplane (1968, 2016), Antônio Carlos Jobim (1965, 2012), Led Zeppelin, (1970, 2005), Leontyne Price (1961, 1989), and John Prine (1972, 2020).

Process

From 1995 to 2021, members of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences nominated their choices for the best new artist. A list of the top twenty artists was given to the Nominations Review Committee, a specially selected group of anonymous members, who initially selected the top five artists to gain a nomination in the category in a special ballot; the number of nominated artists was increased to eight in 2018. The rest of the members then vote on a winner from the final nominees. In 2021, it was announced that the Nomination Review Committees would be disbanded, and the final nominees for best new artist would be decided by votes from members. Starting in 2022, the number of nominees in the category increased to 10. However, the decision to expand the number of nominees in this category was made 24 hours before the nominees were announced after an early version of the nominations list had already been circulated. This allowed Baby Keem and Arooj Aftab to be nominated as they were the artists who received the most votes besides the other eight nominees. As of the 2024 ceremony, the number of nominees has been reduced to eight.

Rules changes

Over the years, the eligibility rules for this category have changed several times. In 2010, Lady Gaga's exclusion from the Best New Artist category caused the Recording Academy to change eligibility requirements for the next ceremony. She was ineligible for the nomination because her hit "Just Dance" had been nominated in 2008. The new rule stated that an artist may be nominated as long as that artist has not previously released an entire album and has subsequently not won a Grammy. In June 2016, the Grammy organization amended the Best New Artist rules once again, to remove the album barrier "given current trends in how new music and developing artists are released and promoted". To be eligible in the category of Best New Artist, the artist, duo, or group:

• Must have released a minimum of five singles/tracks or one album (until 2020 there was a maximum of 30 singles/tracks or three albums, but this maximum limit was removed for the 2021 awards season)
• May not have entered into this category more than three times, including as a performing member of an established group.
• Must have achieved a breakthrough into the public consciousness and impacted the musical landscape during the eligibility period.

These new rules were put in effect with the 59th Annual Grammy Awards. The category was then expanded to include eight nominees in 2019. Starting in 2021, screening committees were charged with determining whether the artist had attained a breakthrough or prominence prior to the eligibility year. Such a determination would result in disqualification.

Recipients

Years reflect the year in which the Grammy Awards were handed out, for records released in the previous year.

thumb|right|120px|[[Megan Thee Stallion]] won in 2021.

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

Notes

Each year is linked to the article about the Grammy Awards held that year.

The Grammy Award for Best New Artist was not presented during the 9th Grammy Awards.

Milli Vanilli were originally presented with the award on February 21, 1990, but the award was revoked on November 19, 1990, following an admission by band members Fab Morvan and Rob Pilatus that they were not the actual singers on the album. The category was declared vacant for 1990.

References

General

Specific

References

1. "Just what is 'alternative'? - today > entertainment - Music - TODAY.com". TODAY.com.
2. "The Grammys: The curse of the Best New Artist award?". The Washington Post.
3. (January 14, 2005). "And the winner is ... what's your name again?". TODAY.com.
4. (2002). "VH1's 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders". [[VH1]].
5. (1990-11-20). "Milli Vanilli's Grammy Rescinded by Academy : Music: Organization revokes an award for the first time after the revelation that the duo never sang on the album.".
6. Holden, Stephen. (5 December 1990). "Winner of Grammy Lost By Milli Vanilli: No One". The New York Times.
7. Grein, Paul. (January 22, 2020). "Grammy Best New Artist Winners: 26 Record-Holders, From Youngest to Oldest to First Award Taken Back".
8. (March 8, 1997). "''Billboard'' Magazine. March 8, 1997".
9. Christina Vinson. (March 9, 2021). "Top 10 Country Grammy Awards Moments". [[The Boot (website).
10. Shawn S. Lealos. (November 3, 2015). "Carrie Underwood sets new record after first six albums debut at number one". [[AXS (ticket merchant).
11. Claire Suddath. (February 1, 2010). "Grammy Awards 2010: The Zac Brown Band".
12. Paul Grein. (December 7, 2016). "Grammy Whisperer: Eight records that were set in this year's noms". [[Hits (magazine).
13. Gates, Chuck. (February 24, 1984). "Jackson dominates Grammy list". Deseret News Publishing Company}}{{Dead link.
14. [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-feb-21-ca-10032-story.html Behind Grammy's Closed Door]
15. Aswad, Jem. (2018-06-28). "Grammys Expand Major Category Nominations From Five to Eight".
16. Wyman, Bill. (February 11, 2011). "The Grammys: the secret committee that alters the membership's nominations". Slate.com.
17. Grein, Paul. (2021-04-30). "Recording Academy Votes to End Grammy Nomination Review Committees". Billboard.com.
18. Grein, Paul. (2021-11-23). "Why Are the 2022 Grammys Jumping From 8 to 10 Nominees In Big Four Categories?". Billboard.com.
19. (2021-11-24). "At Last Minute, Kanye West, Taylor Swift Added as Top Grammy Nominees". The New York Times.
20. Paul Grein. (June 16, 2023). "Here Are the 10 Biggest Changes to the Grammy Awards Process for 2024".
21. (July 7, 2010). "Grammys change rules for best new artist". [[MSN Music]].
22. Michaels, Sean. (July 8, 2010). "Lady Gaga snub prompts change in Grammy rules". [[The Guardian]].
23. "Press Release, 16 June 2016".
24. [https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/recording-academy-announces-61st-grammy-awards-update Recording Academy Announces 61st GRAMMY Awards Update]
25. [https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/recording-academy-announces-changes-63rd-annual-grammys-releases-rules-and-guidelines Grammy.com, 10 June 2020]
26. [https://www.vulture.com/2018/01/the-greatest-grammys-snubs-of-all-time.html The Greatest Grammys Snubs of All Time]
27. "Grammy Awards Winners". [[Grammy Award]]s.
28. "Grammy Award Nominees 1959 - Grammy Award Winners 1959".
29. "1960 Grammy Awards".
30. "Grammy Award Nominees 1962 - Grammy Award Winners 1962".
31. "Grammy Award Nominees 1963 - Grammy Award Winners 1963".
32. "Grammy Award Nominees 1964 - Grammy Award Winners 1964".
33. "Grammy Award Nominees 1965 - Grammy Award Winners 1965".
34. "1966 Grammy Awards".
35. "Grammy Award Nominees 1968 - Grammy Award Winners 1968".
36. (February 11, 1969). "'Now' Singers To Get Grammys". [[St. Petersburg Times]]}}{{Dead link.
37. "Grammy Award Ceremony 1970 - Grammy Award Winners 1970".
38. (March 14, 1971). "Elite of the Record Industry Await the Grammy Awards". [[The Palm Beach Post]]}}{{Dead link.
39. (January 31, 1972). "Hayes, King Top Record Nominees". Deseret News Publishing Company}}{{Dead link.
40. Campbell, Mary. (January 22, 1973). "Grammy Seekers: Musicians Vie For Top Awards". [[Kentucky New Era]].
41. Deutsch, Linda. (January 19, 1974). "Stevie Wonder Nominated For Six Grammy Awards". The Day Publishing Company.
42. "Grammy Awards Nominee 1975 - Grammy Award Winners 1975".
43. Shaw, Sarah. (February 13, 1976). "Janis Ian Leads Grammy Nominees". [[E. W. Scripps Company]].
44. Kalina, Mike. (February 14, 1977). "The Grammys". [[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]}}{{Dead link.
45. "Grammy Award Nominees 1978 - Grammy Award Winners 1978".
46. (January 9, 1979). "Bee Gees Head Lists For 6 Grammy Awards". The News-Journal Corporation.
47. Arar, Yardena. (January 9, 1980). "Grammy awards field a definite mixed bag". [[Cowles Publishing Company]].
48. (January 20, 1981). "Newcomer Is Top Grammy Nominee". [[Sarasota Herald-Tribune]].
49. (January 14, 1982). "Lennon, Jones lead Grammy nominees". [[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
50. (January 12, 1983). "Toto, Stevie Wonder top Grammy nominations". [[Lodi News-Sentinel]].
51. (January 12, 1985). "David Foster Leading Grammy Nominations". [[Spartanburg Herald-Journal]].
52. (February 26, 1986). "Best new artist category causes Grammys' only stir". [[Canwest]].
53. (January 8, 1987). "Veterans top Grammy nominations". The McClatchy Company.
54. McShane, Larry. (January 15, 1988). "Irish rockers among Grammy nominees". Telegraph Publishing Company.
55. De Atley, Richard. (January 11, 1989). "Grammy nominations: Tracy Chapman, Bobby McFerrin lead pack". E. W. Scripps Company.
56. (February 21, 1990). "Grammys reach out to young listeners". Lodi News-Sentinel.
57. Pareles, Jon. (January 11, 1991). "Grammy Nominees Announced". [[The New York Times]].
58. Snider, Eric. (February 26, 1992). "Cole's 'Unforgettable' wins song of the year". St. Petersburg Times }} {{Dead link.
59. Antczak, John. (January 8, 1993). "Clapton leads the pack of Grammy nominees". Deseret News Publishing Company.
60. (January 7, 1994). "Sting Leads Grammy Nominations With Six". Reading Eagle Company.
61. (January 6, 1995). "The line forms for Grammys". St. Petersburg Times }} {{Dead link.
62. Strauss, Neil. (January 5, 1996). "New Faces in Grammy Nominations". The New York Times.
63. Strauss, Neil. (January 8, 1997). "Babyface, Celine Dion And Pumpkins Compete For Multiple Grammys". The New York Times.
64. Strauss, Neil. (January 7, 1998). "Grammy Nominations Yield Surprises, Including Newcomer's Success". The New York Times.
65. (January 6, 1999). "Top Grammy nominations". [[The Register-Guard]]}}{{Dead link.
66. (January 5, 2000). "Santana nominated for 10 Grammy Awards". Lodi News-Sentinel.
67. Strauss, Neil. (January 4, 2001). "Broad Field, No Standout In Grammy Nominations". The New York Times.
68. Pareles, Jon. (January 5, 2002). "U2 Receives 8 Grammy Award Nominations". The New York Times.
69. (January 7, 2003). "Grammy Nominations Announced". [[Fox News Channel]].
70. (February 6, 2004). "Grammy Awards nominees battle to stand the test of time". The World Company.
71. (February 11, 2005). "Who gets a Grammy?". [[The Boston Globe]].
72. Moss, Corey. (February 3, 2006). "Why (Fill In The Blank) Deserves The Best New Artist Grammy". [[MTV]].
73. Stout, Gene. (February 12, 2007). "The best -- and worst -- Grammy moments of 2007". [[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]].
74. Kot, Greg. (February 10, 2008). "The Grammys: Who will win and who won't but should have". [[A. H. Belo]].
75. (February 8, 2009). "The real Grammy drama is in the smaller categories". A. H. Belo.
76. (December 4, 2009). "Beyonce tops Grammy nominations with 10 nods". [[Daily Times (Pakistan).
77. Martens, Todd. (December 1, 2010). "Grammys 2011: Justin Bieber, Florence + the Machine and the best new artist crop". [[Los Angeles Times]].
78. [http://www.grammy.com/files/54thpresslist.pdf List of nominees for the 54th Grammy Awards]
79. "58th Annual GRAMMY Awards Winners & Nominees". The GRAMMYs.
80. "57th Grammy Nominees". [[Los Angeles Times]].
81. "Here Is the Complete List of Nominees for the 2017 Grammys".
82. [https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/60th-grammy-awards-full-nominees-list#General 60th GRAMMY Awards: Full Nominees List] Field Grammy.com, November 28, 2017
83. (February 11, 2019). "Grammys 2019: Full list of winners". 9Honey Celebrity.
84. (November 18, 2019). "2020 GRAMMY Awards: Complete Nominees List".
85. Williams, Chris. (November 24, 2020). "Grammy Awards Nominations 2021: The Complete List".
86. (November 11, 2021). "2022 GRAMMYs Awards Show: Complete Nominations List".
87. (November 15, 2022). "2023 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Complete Nominees List".
88. (October 11, 2024). "2024 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Complete Nominees List".
89. (August 11, 2024). "2025 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Complete Nominees List".
90. "Past Winners Search". The GRAMMYs.
91. (February 4, 2013). "GRAMMY Flashback: The Year Without A Best New Artist". POP! Goes The Charts.