Who’ll Win Best New Artist at the Grammys?
At the 2024 Grammys, best new artist winner Victoria Monét’s nomination for record of the year made her the only breakthrough contender to compete in a Big 3 category (song, record and album of the year). This year, Chappell Roan, Shaboozey and Benson Boone also will comfortably stand proudly alongside veterans who’ve come before. Not only are they poised to earn noms for best new artist, they’re in contention for major awards — where nominees likely will include Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish. Roan and Carpenter are even on track to score bids for the top prize: album of the year. It’s reminiscent of 2020, when new artist contenders included Lizzo, Lil Nas X and winner Eilish, who also won album, song and record of the year. Could Chappell do the same? THR breaks down the newcomers — or somewhat new — gunning for the 2025 best new artist Grammy.
Chappell Roan
Roan is your favorite artist’s favorite artist. Beyoncé, Adele, Lady Gaga, Elton John and SZA are fans of the innovative pop singer, whose Lollapalooza performance was a must-watch. Her 2023 debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess — eligible for album of the year and best pop vocal album — continues to reach new heights on the Billboard charts, and her singles “Good Luck, Babe!” and “Hot to Go!” are certified pop smashes. Winning the best new artist honor at the MTV Video Music Awards foreshadows what her Grammy night might look like.
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Sabrina Carpenter
Should Carpenter even be considered a best new artist nominee? She released her sixth album this year, and while this has been her biggest year, I’d argue she technically marked her breakthrough during the last Grammy cycle when the bops from Emails I Can’t Send — “Nonsense” and “Feather” — were released. Her eligibility will be determined soon at the Recording Academy’s screening meeting — where songwriters, producers, musicologists, et al. determine who qualifies for new artist and other awards. And if she weasels into the category, her massive success with “Espresso,” “Please Please Please” and “Taste” could help her edge out Roan.
Shaboozey
Only three country acts have been named best new artist at the Grammys, and Shaboozey could be next. The hybrid also could make history as a rapper: Only five hip-hop acts have taken the honor. He’s in a good position to win: He’s featured twice on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter, and his anthem, “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” is the year’s longest-running No. 1 hit — and showing no signs of sobering up. He’s nominated for two CMA Awards, and his third album, Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going, continues to hold strong in the top 10 of country charts.
Megan Moroney
Speaking of country acts, Moroney’s star continues to rise. Like “Tennessee Orange” and “I’m Not Pretty” from her 2023 debut, Lucky — oft cited as best country album of that year — the 26-year-old has a knack for storytelling that showcases her story and voice on Am I Okay? Released in July, it’s already reached gold status. She’s nominated for three CMA Awards and has collected new artist honors 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
“Lose Control,” released last year, hit the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and recently logged its 34th week in the top 10 — tying Swift’s “Cruel Summer” as the eighth song to achieve the feat in that chart’s 66-year history. The singer-songwriter’s debut album, I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1), features his big, strong vocals and achieved gold status. And his soulful song, “The Door,” just cracked the top 40.
Sexyy Red
This year hasn’t been the greatest for breakthrough rap acts, but Sexyy Red has emerged as the most successful newcomer. And Grammy voters have been big supporters of female rappers when it comes to best new artist, nominating Ice Spice, Doja Cat, Saweetie, Latto and Megan Thee Stallion, who won in 2021. For more than a year, Sexyy Red has launched viral jams like “SkeeYee,” “Get It Sexyy,” “Pound Town,” “U My Everything” and “Rich Baby Daddy,” the last two with Drake. But after that disastrous BET Awards performance, Sexyy Red might be in the red with voters -— unless they don’t watch BET.
Raye
At this year’s BRIT Awards — the British equivalent to the Grammys — Raye took home six honors and made history for most wins at a single ceremony. That success could be enough reason for her to garner a best new artist Grammy nomination. Though some predicted she would receive a nod for the award at this year’s Grammys, she could still qualify in 2025 and her fate would be determined at the Academy’s screening meeting, like Carpenter. And with songwriting credits for acts like Beyoncé, John Legend, Charli XCX and more, voters might be drawn to support Raye, who has strongly advocated for artists to have full creative freedom as well as 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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