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Grammys' Best New Artist: A Look Back at Icons
2 Feb
Summary
- Many Best New Artist winners achieved significant fame post-award.
- Some winners like Billie Eilish made history with major category sweeps.
- Chappell Roan advocated for livable wages and healthcare for artists.
The Grammy Awards' Best New Artist category has consistently recognized groundbreaking talent, with winners often achieving significant career milestones shortly after their win. Billie Eilish, for example, made history in 2020 by sweeping all four major categories, including Best New Artist, at just 18 years old.
More recently, artists have used their acceptance speeches to address industry issues. In 2025, Chappell Roan called for livable wages and healthcare for artists. Victoria Monét, a previous winner in 2024, achieved her breakthrough after years of songwriting for other artists.
Past honorees include Adele, who won in 2009, and John Legend in 2006. LeAnn Rimes remains the youngest winner at 14 in 1997. Other notable past winners include Sam Smith, Megan Thee Stallion, and Olivia Rodrigo, underscoring the award's role in spotlighting emerging global music stars.
