Best New Artist

The Category Best New Artist was added to the list of Grammys in 1960. It was to recognize a new artist who releases, during the Eligibility Year, the first recording which establishes the public identity of that artist. It doesn’t have to be the first album released by the artist. Former winners who have gone on to successful careers after winning the title include The Beatles, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Sheryl Crow, Tracy Chapman, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Carrie Underwood, Norah Jones, LeAnn Rimes, Tom Jones, The Carpenters among others.

The category is also known to be the only one in which an award has been revoked. In 1990, artists Milli Vanilli revealed that they did not do their own vocals on their debut album. The award was revoked, but was not handed out to another artist.

The award has been handed out 48 times after its inception and of these, 22 has been won by solo female artists, 15 duos and groups and only 11 by solo male artists. 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. 

Winners: Grammys Best New Artist