Who’ll Win Best New Artist at the Grammys?

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As a seasoned music enthusiast with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that this year’s crop of emerging artists is truly remarkable. From country to pop-rock, soul to rap, these young talents are pushing boundaries and setting new standards for their respective genres.

At the 2024 Grammys, the breakthrough artist Victoria Monét received a nomination for record of the year, making her the sole contender in the emerging category to compete in one of the Big 3 categories (song, record, and album of the year). This year, Chappell Roan, Shaboozey, and Benson Boone are set to join established artists who have previously been nominated. These newcomers not only stand a chance at being recognized as best new artist, but they’re also up for major awards, with potential nominees including Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Billie Eilish. Remarkably, Roan and Carpenter are on course to secure bids for the highest accolade: album of the year. This is a similar situation to 2020, where contenders for best new artist included Lizzo, Lil Nas X, and eventual winner Billie Eilish, who went on to win awards in all three major categories (album, song, and record). Could Chappell Roan follow in Eilish’s footsteps? THR provides an overview of the newcomers vying for the 2025 Best New Artist Grammy.

Chappell Roan

Roan is an artist that other renowned musicians admire greatly. Artists such as Beyoncé, Adele, Lady Gaga, Elton John, and SZA are among Roan’s fans. Their appreciation stems from the groundbreaking pop singer whose Lollapalooza performance was a must-see event. Her 2023 debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, is not only nominated for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album but also continues to soar on the Billboard charts. The singles “Good Luck, Babe!” and “Hot to Go!” have been certified as pop hits. Winning the title for Best New Artist at the MTV Video Music Awards hints at what her Grammy night could look like.

Sabrina Carpenter 

Is it fair to categorize Carpenter as a “best new artist” nominee, given that she has already released six albums? This year may be her most successful, but I believe her breakthrough was actually during the previous Grammy cycle, when songs like “Nonsense” and “Feather” from her album “Emails I Can’t Send” were first released. The Recording Academy will soon decide her eligibility at their screening meeting, where professionals like songwriters, producers, and musicologists determine who qualifies for new artist and other awards. If she manages to qualify despite her past work, her recent hits such as “Espresso,” “Please Please Please,” and “Taste” could potentially give her an edge over Roan in the competition.

Shaboozey

As a passionate fan, it’s thrilling to consider that Shaboozey could be joining an exclusive club: only three country artists and five hip-hop acts have ever been named Best New Artist at the Grammys. With his two appearances on Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” and the unstoppable success of his No. 1 hit, “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” which has been reigning supreme for the longest time this year, Shaboozey is certainly making a strong case for himself. To top it off, he’s also nominated for two CMA Awards, and his third album, “Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going,” continues to dominate country charts, holding steadfast in the top 10. The stage could be set for him to create history!

Megan Moroney 

Discussing country artists, Moroney’s fame is steadily climbing. Similar to her hits “Tennessee Orange” and “I’m Not Pretty” from her 2023 debut album, which was often praised as the best country album of that year, the 26-year-old has a talent for storytelling that resonates in her latest release, Am I Okay?. This album, released in July, has already achieved gold status. She’s been nominated for three CMA Awards and has won new artist accolades at the ACM and CMT awards.

Benson Boone 

His VMA performance alone (falsetto and backflips!) of his breakout, “Beautiful Things,” helps him stand out among the best new artists. One of the most successful songs of the year, the hit has dominated everything from radio to streaming services to TikTok, where the pop-rock singer has gained 3 million-plus followers this year. “Slow It Down” and “Pretty Slowly” continue to jump on the charts, and Boone is proving he’s more than a singles artist: his debut album, Fireworks & Rollerblades, has spent its entirety in the top 20.

Teddy Swims

Last year’s hit single ‘Lose Control’ climbed to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart and has now spent 34 weeks within the top 10, matching Taylor Swift’s ‘Cruel Summer’ as one of only eight songs to do so in the 66-year history of the chart. The singer-songwriter’s first album, titled I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1), showcases his powerful voice and has been certified gold. Recently, his emotional ballad, ‘The Door,’ made it into the top 40.

Sexxy Red 

2022 hasn’t been a banner year for breakout rap talents, but Sexxy Red has stood out as the most promising newcomer. Notably, Grammy voters have shown a strong preference for female rappers in the best new artist category, nominating Ice Spice, Doja Cat, Saweetie, Latto, and Megan Thee Stallion, who won in 2021. For over a year now, Sexxy Red has released hit singles like “SkeeYee,” “Get It Sexxy,” “Pound Town,” “U My Everything,” and “Rich Baby Daddy,” the latter two collaborations with Drake. However, her less-than-impressive performance at the BET Awards could potentially affect her standing among voters – unless they didn’t catch that show.

Raye

This year at the BRIT Awards, comparable to the Grammys in America, Raye amassed six awards and set a record for most wins at a single event. Her impressive performance could potentially earn her a nomination for the Best New Artist Grammy. Although some anticipated she would be nominated this year, there’s still a chance for her in 2025, as her eligibility will be decided during the Academy’s screening meeting, similar to Carpenter’s. Additionally, Raye has contributed to the songwriting of notable artists such as Beyoncé, John Legend, Charli XCX, and others. This may encourage voters to support her cause, which advocates for artists’ creative freedom and better rights for songwriters.

This story appeared in the Sept. 19 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.

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2024-09-19 19:26