Look at the list of Grammy nominees for 2024, and you will see many familiar names: Taylor Swift, Jon Batiste, and Billie Eilish, among others who have racked up tens and even dozens of nominations in the past. With the same names dominating the charts—and awards shows—year after year, it's hard not to wonder which musical newcomers made the cut in 2024 and if they'll be able to hold their own alongside Grammy veterans.
The Grammys' Best New Artist category is known for showcasing up-and-coming musicians who have made a big impact relative to their time in the industry. Many of the past winners in this category have since become household names, from Megan Thee Stallion, Dua Lipa, and Olivia Rodrigo in recent years to Bette Midler, Crosby, Stills & Nash, and Tracy Chapman back in the early days of the award.
But Best New Artist is not the only category that features first-time nominees. Many Grammy newcomers are nominated in other categories, whether they're considered a new artist or have been releasing music for years. This year, first-timers are up for Best African Music Performance, Best Music Video, and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, to name a few.
Notably, however, many awards categories are left off the Grammys telecast. Genre categories outside of the pop mainstream frequently go untelevised but are no less important for the artists and fans of the genre. Additionally, the Recording Academy, the body behind the Grammy Awards, has received criticism for its inconsistent—and, some allege, unfair—voting process, which makes it easier for already-famous artists to score votes.
Stacker compiled a list of 10 newcomers using news reports and information from the Recording Academy to highlight just some of this year's first-time Grammy nominees. The Grammys will be presented on Feb. 4, 2024, at 8 p.m. EST. Before you tune in, read on to learn more about the artists being recognized for their musical accomplishments for the first time.
