Grammy Award for Best New Artist

"Best New Artist" redirects here. For other uses, see Best New Artist (disambiguation).
Grammy Award for Best New Artist
Country United States
Presented by National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
First awarded 1959
Last awarded 2015
Official website grammy.com

The Grammy Award for Best New Artist has been awarded since 1959.[1] Years reflect the year in which the Grammy Awards were handed out, for records released in the previous year. The award was not presented in 1967. The official guidelines are as follows: "For a new artist who releases, during the Eligibility Year, the first recording which establishes the public identity of that artist." Note that this is not necessarily the first album released by an artist.

It is sometimes asserted, with varying degrees of sincerity, that winning the award is a curse, as several award winners (particularly from the late 70s and early 80s) were never able to duplicate the success they experienced in their debut year.[2][3] This viewpoint was expressed by former Starland Vocal Band member Taffy Danoff in a 2002 interview for VH1's 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders: "We got two of the five Grammys - one was Best New Artist. So that was basically the kiss of death and I feel sorry for everyone who's gotten it since."[4]

The category is also notable for being the only category in which a Grammy Award was vacated. This occurred in 1990 after it was revealed winners Milli Vanilli did not do their own vocals on their debut album. The award was revoked, but was not handed out to another artist.

Of the 48 awards presented in the category since its inception, the honor has been presented to 24 solo female artists, 15 duos or groups, and 11 solo male artists. Between 1997 and 2003, all the winners were solo female artists. Also, for 14 years, no winner was a solo male artist. In 2006, John Legend broke this trend, which started with Marc Cohn in 1992. Only four 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 and Norah Jones in 2003.

1984 marked the first time that all of the nominees were from outside of the United States (Winner Culture Club, Eurythmics, and Musical Youth were from England, Big Country was from Scotland, and Men Without Hats were from Canada).[5]

In 2010, Lady Gaga's exclusion from the Best New Artist category has 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 2009. The new rule states that an artist can be nominated as long as the artist hasn't released an entire album and doesn't win.[6][7][8] Jennifer Hudson faced the same situation as she was ineligible because she had been nominated with Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media for Dreamgirls in 2008.[8]

Recipients

The Beatles members John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison (clockwise from top left)
The Carpenters members Karen Carpenter and Richard Carpenter
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Cyndi Lauper
Sade
Mariah Carey
Toni Braxton
Sheryl Crow
Lauryn Hill
Christina Aguilera
Alicia Keys
Norah Jones
Evanescence
Maroon 5
John Legend
Carrie Underwood
Amy Winehouse
Adele
Zac Brown Band
Esperanza Spalding
Bon Iver lead singer and guitarist, Justin Vernon
fun. lead singer Nate Ruess
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Sam Smith
Year[I] Recipient Nominees Ref.
1960 Darin, BobbyBobby Darin  USA
1961 Newhart, BobBob Newhart  USA
1962 Nero, PeterPeter Nero  USA
1963 Goulet, RobertRobert Goulet  USA
1964 The Swingle Singers  FRA
1965 The Beatles  ENG
1966 Jones, TomTom Jones  WAL
1967 no award [II]
1968 Gentry, BobbieBobbie Gentry  USA
1969 Feliciano, JoséJosé Feliciano  PUR [9]
1970 Crosby, Stills & Nash  USA  ENG
1971 The Carpenters  USA [10]
1972 Simon, CarlyCarly Simon  USA [11]
1973 America  USA [12]
1974 Midler, BetteBette Midler  USA [13]
1975 Hamlisch, MarvinMarvin Hamlisch  USA
1976 Cole, NatalieNatalie Cole  USA [14]
1977 Starland Vocal Band  USA [15]
1978 Boone, DebbyDebby Boone  USA
1979 A Taste of Honey  USA [16]
1980 Jones, Rickie LeeRickie Lee Jones  USA [17]
1981 Cross, ChristopherChristopher Cross  USA [18]
1982 Easton, SheenaSheena Easton  SCO [19]
1983 Men at Work  AUS [20]
1984 Culture Club  ENG [5]
1985 Lauper, CyndiCyndi Lauper  USA [21]
1986 Sade  ENG [22]
1987 Hornsby, BruceBruce Hornsby and the Range  USA [23]
1988 Watley, JodyJody Watley  USA [24]
1989 Chapman, TracyTracy Chapman  USA [25]
1990 Vacated[III] [26]
1991 Carey, MariahMariah Carey  USA [27]
1992 Cohn, MarcMarc Cohn  USA [28]
1993 Arrested Development  USA [29]
1994 Braxton, ToniToni Braxton  USA [30]
1995 Crow, SherylSheryl Crow  USA [31]
1996 Hootie & the Blowfish  USA [32]
1997 Rimes, LeAnnLeAnn Rimes  USA [33]
1998 Cole, PaulaPaula Cole  USA [34]
1999 Hill, LaurynLauryn Hill  USA [35]
2000 Aguilera, ChristinaChristina Aguilera  USA [36]
2001 Lynne, ShelbyShelby Lynne  USA [37]
2002 Keys, AliciaAlicia Keys  USA [38]
2003 Jones, NorahNorah Jones  USA [39]
2004 Evanescence  USA [40]
2005 Maroon 5  USA [41]
2006 Legend, JohnJohn Legend  USA [42]
2007 Underwood, CarrieCarrie Underwood  USA [43]
2008 Winehouse, AmyAmy Winehouse  ENG [44]
2009 Adele  ENG [45]
2010 Zac Brown Band  USA [46]
2011 Esperanza Spalding  USA [47]
2012 Bon Iver  USA [48]
2013 fun.  USA [49]
2014 Macklemore & Ryan Lewis  USA [50]
2015 Sam Smith  ENG [51]

^[I] Each year is linked to the article about the Grammy Awards held that year.
^[II] Award for Best New Artist was not presented during the 9th Grammy Awards.[52][53]
^[III] Milli Vanilli were originally presented with the award, but were later stripped of it after it was discovered that they did not do their own vocal on their debut album. The award was not presented to any other artist, making the 1990 recipient vacant.

See also

References

General
Specific
  1. ↑ http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/10993760/
  2. ↑ "The Grammys: The curse of the Best New Artist award?". The Washington Post.
  3. ↑ http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/6827316/
  4. ↑ Taffy Danoff (Interviewee) (2002). VH1's 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders (TV-Series). North America: VH1.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Gates, Chuck (February 24, 1984). "Jackson dominates Grammy list". Deseret News. Deseret News Publishing Company. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  6. ↑ "Grammys change rules for best new artist". MSN Music. July 7, 2010. Retrieved October 10, 2010. Eligibility change was caused by Lady Gaga's exclusion
  7. ↑ Michaels, Sean (July 8, 2010). "Lady Gaga snub prompts change in Grammy rules". The Guardian (London). Retrieved October 10, 2011. Eligibility rules for best new artist category revised following exclusion of the dance-pop diva last year
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Grein, Paul (July 7, 2010). "Drake Should Thank Gaga Now". Yahoo! Music. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
  9. ↑ "'Now' Singers To Get Grammys". St. Petersburg Times. February 11, 1969. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  10. ↑ "Elite of the Record Industry Await the Grammy Awards". The Palm Beach Post. March 14, 1971. Retrieved April 22, 2010.
  11. ↑ "Hayes, King Top Record Nominees". Deseret News. Deseret News Publishing Company. January 31, 1972. Retrieved April 22, 2010.
  12. ↑ Campbell, Mary (January 22, 1973). "Grammy Seekers: Musicians Vie For Top Awards". Kentucky New Era. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
  13. ↑ Deutsch, Linda (January 19, 1974). "Stevie Wonder Nominated For Six Grammy Awards". The Day. The Day Publishing Company. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  14. ↑ Shaw, Sarah (February 13, 1976). "Janis Ian Leads Grammy Nominees". Pittsburgh Press. E. W. Scripps Company. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
  15. ↑ Kalina, Mike (February 14, 1977). "The Grammys". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
  16. ↑ "Bee Gees Head Lists For 6 Grammy Awards". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. The News-Journal Corporation. January 9, 1979. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
  17. ↑ Arar, Yardena (January 9, 1980). "Grammy awards field a definite mixed bag". The Spokesman-Review. Cowles Publishing Company. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
  18. ↑ "Newcomer Is Top Grammy Nominee". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. January 20, 1981. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
  19. ↑ "Lennon, Jones lead Grammy nominees". The Milwaukee Journal. January 14, 1982. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
  20. ↑ "Toto, Stevie Wonder top Grammy nominations". Lodi News-Sentinel. January 12, 1983. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  21. ↑ "David Foster Leading Grammy Nominations". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. January 12, 1985. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  22. ↑ "Best new artist category causes Grammys' only stir". The Gazette. Canwest. February 26, 1986. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  23. ↑ "Veterans top Grammy nominations". The Herald. The McClatchy Company. January 8, 1987. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  24. ↑ McShane, Larry (January 15, 1988). "Irish rockers among Grammy nominees". The Telegraph. Telegraph Publishing Company. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  25. ↑ De Atley, Richard (January 11, 1989). "Grammy nominations: Tracy Chapman, Bobby McFerrin lead pack". Pittsburgh Press. E. W. Scripps Company. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  26. ↑ "Grammys reach out to young listeners". Lodi News-Sentinel. February 21, 1990. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  27. ↑ Pareles, Jon (January 11, 1991). "Grammy Nominees Announced". The New York Times. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  28. ↑ Snider, Eric (February 26, 1992). "Cole's 'Unforgettable' wins song of the year". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  29. ↑ Antczak, John (January 8, 1993). "Clapton leads the pack of Grammy nominees". Deseret News. Deseret News Publishing Company. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  30. ↑ "Sting Leads Grammy Nominations With Six". Reading Eagle. Reading Eagle Company. January 7, 1994. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  31. ↑ "The line forms for Grammys". St. Petersburg Times. January 6, 1995. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  32. ↑ Strauss, Neil (January 5, 1996). "New Faces in Grammy Nominations". The New York Times. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  33. ↑ Strauss, Neil (January 8, 1997). "Babyface, Celine Dion And Pumpkins Compete For Multiple Grammys". The New York Times. p. 2. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  34. ↑ Strauss, Neil (January 7, 1998). "Grammy Nominations Yield Surprises, Including Newcomer's Success". The New York Times. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  35. ↑ "Top Grammy nominations". The Register-Guard. January 6, 1999. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  36. ↑ "Santana nominated for 10 Grammy Awards". Lodi News-Sentinel. January 5, 2000. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  37. ↑ Strauss, Neil (January 4, 2001). "Broad Field, No Standout In Grammy Nominations". The New York Times. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  38. ↑ Pareles, Jon (January 5, 2002). "U2 Receives 8 Grammy Award Nominations". The New York Times. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  39. ↑ "Grammy Nominations Announced". Fox News Channel. January 7, 2003. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  40. ↑ "Grammy Awards nominees battle to stand the test of time". Lawrence Journal-World. The World Company. February 6, 2004. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  41. ↑ "Who gets a Grammy?". The Boston Globe. February 11, 2005. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  42. ↑ Moss, Corey (February 3, 2006). "Why (Fill In The Blank) Deserves The Best New Artist Grammy". MTV. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  43. ↑ Stout, Gene (February 12, 2007). "The best -- and worst -- Grammy moments of 2007". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  44. ↑ Kot, Greg (February 10, 2008). "The Grammys: Who will win and who won’t but should have". The Providence Journal. A. H. Belo. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  45. ↑ "The real Grammy drama is in the smaller categories". The Providence Journal. A. H. Belo. February 8, 2009. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  46. ↑ "Beyonce tops Grammy nominations with 10 nods". Daily Times. December 4, 2009. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  47. ↑ Martens, Todd (December 1, 2010). "Grammys 2011: Justin Bieber, Florence + the Machine and the best new artist crop". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
  48. ↑ List of nominees for the 54th Grammy Awards
  49. ↑ List of nominees for the 55th Grammy Awards
  50. ↑ List of nominees for the 56th Grammy Awards
  51. ↑ "57th Grammy Nominees". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
  52. ↑ List of winners: 9th Grammy Awards
  53. ↑ GRAMMY Flashback: The Year Without A Best New Artist

External links