A group of up-and-coming singers receive nominations for the coveted Best New Artist of the Year trophy Grammy Awards
At the 2026 ceremony, Addison Rae, Alex WarrenKatseye, Leon ThomasThe Marys, shadow, Olivia Dean i Lola Young all assent noted. While some of the musicians are new to the industry during the eligibility period, others like Thomas (best known for roles in victorious i The Backyardigans, as well as releasing several albums before 2024 Mutt) have been playing and recording music for years.
If there is a difference in the timeline of these artists’ careers, how do you choose the best new artist? And how are apparently established artists classified? Keep scrolling for a full breakdown:
How the best new artist recognizes musicians
According to the official Grammys web sitethe category is intended to recognize “an artist whose release in the year of eligibility achieved a major breakthrough into the public consciousness and made a notable impact on the music landscape.”
Victoria Monét accepts the ‘Best New Artist’ award onstage during the 66th Annual GRAMMY Awards on February 4, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesWhat are the guidelines for being nominated for Best New Artist?
Like all Grammy categories, members of the Recording Academy vote for Best New Artist. Because there can be a large number of “new” musicians making an impact in the music industry, there are eligibility requirements that must be met in order to be considered. For example, an artist must have released at least five singles or one full-length album. Artists, however, cannot have previously released more than three albums or 30 singles.
Performers also cannot have achieved prior prominence prior to the current eligible year or have been considered for the new artist category at least three times.
“This also applies to solo artists who arise from having performed as a member in previous groups,” reads an explanation on the Grammys website. “That’s right, being considered three times previously as a solo artist, in a previous band, or a mix of the two means that an artist is ineligible for Best New Artist consideration.”
Eligibility windows
Take the 2025 Grammys, when both Sabrina Carpenter i Chappell Roan they were nominated for Best New Artist. The two pop princesses had released music before the 2025 eligibility windowbut their respective careers reached new heights that year, meaning they could still be considered for nomination. (Roan eventually won the category that year.)
“In such a weird way, I guess I’ve tried to do my best and be enjoying what I’m doing without being too aware of what’s going on,” Carpenter said. Grammy.com in December 2023. “The love of what I do is in the actual creation of things, so I’ve been making a lot of music and writing so much over the last year. To see this cool, organic reaction is great. But right now, it’s hard to understand.”
Carpenter also received four other nominations at the 2025 ceremony, including Album of the Year and Song of the Year. In addition to Carpenter’s album Short ‘N Sweet being recognized as a whole, their singles “Espresso” and “Please Please Please” were also honored. It won trophies for Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Pop Vocal Album.
Who is nominated for Best New Artist in 2026?
The 2026 Grammy for Best New Artist will be awarded to either Addison Rae, Alex WarrenKatseye, Leon ThomasThe Marys, shadow, Olivia Dean i Lola Young. The eight groups will also perform on the broadcast.
Fans will have to tune in to CBS on Sunday, February 1, 2026 to find out which honoree will take home the Best New Artist award in 2026.