The 2026 Grammy nominations just dropped and honestly, the Best New Artist category is a total fever dream. It’s wild. For years, people complained that the Recording Academy was basically just a "TikTok trends" committee, but the 68th Annual Grammy Awards list feels different. It’s a mix of soul, indie-pop, global girl groups, and artists who have actually been grinding in the shadows for a decade.
If you’re looking for the official grammy nominee best new artist list, here’s who is currently fighting for the slot: Olivia Dean, KATSEYE, The Marías, Addison Rae, sombr, Leon Thomas, Alex Warren, and Lola Young. It’s a weird list, right? You’ve got a social media titan like Addison Rae sitting right next to an R&B veteran like Leon Thomas. But that’s the Grammys in 2026. It’s no longer just about who has the most followers—it’s about who actually "arrived" in the cultural zeitgeist this year.
The "New" Artist Loophole: Why Some These Names Sound Familiar
Let’s address the elephant in the room. Some of these "new" artists aren't exactly new.
Take Leon Thomas. Most people remember him from Victorious back in the Nickelodeon days. He’s been a Grammy-winning producer for years, working with SZA and Drake. But the Academy’s rules are specific: you’re "new" when you achieve a prominent public breakthrough. His album MUTT was so undeniably good that the industry finally had to stop seeing him as "the guy from that TV show" and start seeing him as a solo powerhouse.
Then there’s The Marías. They’ve been an indie darling staple since 2017. If you’ve ever been to a coffee shop in Echo Park, you’ve heard them. But their 2024 album Submarine and a massive 2025 Coachella set pushed them from "indie cool" to "Grammy-nominated cool." It’s the same path Sabrina Carpenter took last year. You work for ten years, and then suddenly, the world acts like you were born yesterday.
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Breaking Down the 2026 Frontrunners
If we’re being real, the competition is basically split into three camps: the Pop Savants, the Global Pioneers, and the Soulful Sensations.
The Global Power of KATSEYE
KATSEYE is probably the most fascinating name on this list. They are a "global girl group" formed through a collaboration between HYBE and Geffen. They’ve got members from the Philippines, South Korea, and Switzerland. Their song "Touch" was everywhere this year. They represent a shift in how the Academy views international pop—not as a separate "World Music" category, but as the new standard for the main stage.
The Addison Rae Redemption Arc
Stop rolling your eyes. Addison Rae’s "Diet Pepsi" wasn't just a catchy song; it was a legitimate pop pivot that caught everyone off guard. She went from being a TikToker who makes music to a musician who happens to be on TikTok. The production on her debut album Addison had critics comparing her to early Madonna. It’s the kind of reinvention the Grammys usually love to reward.
The British Invasion: Lola Young and Olivia Dean
The UK is sending its absolute best this year. Lola Young is basically the antidote to "perfect" pop. Her track "Messy" is raw, gritty, and sounds like it was recorded in a basement while someone was having a breakdown. On the other side, Olivia Dean is pure elegance. If you haven't heard The Art of Loving, go fix that. She opened for Sabrina Carpenter and basically stole the show every night.
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The Massive Snubs We’re Still Processing
Every year, the grammy nominee best new artist list leaves someone out, and 2026 had some heartbreaking misses. Benson Boone was the name on everyone’s lips. After "Beautiful Things" took over the planet, he seemed like a lock. But he actually received a nod in 2025, which disqualified him for a repeat this year.
The Weeknd remains in his "it's complicated" relationship with the Academy. Even with the massive success of Hurry Up Tomorrow, he was largely shut out of the big categories again. It feels like the bridge isn't just burned; it’s been demolished and the debris has been cleared away.
Then there’s the country/rap vacuum. In 2025, we had Shaboozey and Jelly Roll. This year? The Best New Artist list is remarkably light on those genres. No Ella Langley. No BigXThaPlug. It’s a choice that has a lot of people questioning if the Academy is retreating back into its pop/indie shell.
What it Actually Takes to Win
Winning Best New Artist is often a curse (just ask Starland Vocal Band), but it’s still the most coveted trophy for a rising star. To win, an artist needs three things:
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- Narrative: Leon Thomas has the "long-overdue" narrative.
- Impact: KATSEYE has the global reach.
- Critical Respect: The Marías and Olivia Dean have the "artist's artist" vibe.
Honestly, it’s a toss-up. If the Academy wants to look "cool," they’ll go with The Marías or Lola Young. If they want to acknowledge the new reality of the music business, it’s Addison Rae or KATSEYE.
How to Keep Up With the Nominees
If you want to actually understand why these people were nominated, you can’t just look at their Spotify numbers. You have to see the vision.
- Watch the Netflix docuseries Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE to see how much work went into that group.
- Listen to Leon Thomas’s MUTT on high-quality headphones. The production is a masterclass.
- Check out Alex Warren’s YouTube journey. He’s one of the few who successfully transitioned from "content creator" to a legitimate singer-songwriter with "Ordinary."
The 68th Grammy Awards will air live from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 1, 2026. Whether your favorite won or got snubbed, this specific crop of artists represents the most diverse sounds we've seen in the Best New Artist category in over a decade.
Next Steps for Music Fans:
Start by creating a "2026 BNA Nominees" playlist and listen to one full album from each artist. Don't just listen to the singles. The Grammys are (theoretically) about the body of work, so find the deep cuts on Lola Young’s I’m Only Fucking Myself or The Marías' Submarine to see who truly deserves the win.