GRAMMYs
Poll

2018 GRAMMYs Poll: Who Will Win Best New Artist?

Facebook Twitter Email
Alessia Cara, Khalid, Lil Uzi Vert, Julia Michaels, and SZA are officially the 60th GRAMMY nominees for Best New Artist — who will voters choose?
Brian Haack
GRAMMYs
Nov 28, 2017 - 5:42 am

Alessia Cara, Khalid, Lil Uzi Vert, Julia Michaels, and SZA: all five Best New Artist nominees for the 60th GRAMMY Awards are performers on the rise with promising futures.  

Who do you think GRAMMY voters will choose? Cast your vote now!

Polls

Who will GRAMMY voters choose for Best New Artist for the 60th GRAMMYs?

60th GRAMMY Awards: Full Nominations List

The 60th GRAMMY Awards will take place at Madison Square Garden in New York on Jan. 28, 2018, airing live on CBS from 7:30–11 p.m. ET/4:30–8 p.m. PT.

GRAMMYs
News

Here Are The Contenders For Best New Artist | 60th GRAMMYs

Facebook Twitter Email
Alessia Cara, Khalid, Lil Uzi Vert, Julia Michaels, and SZA are officially the 60th GRAMMY nominees for Best New Artist
Brian Haack
GRAMMYs
Nov 28, 2017 - 5:36 am

The Best New Artist category for the 60th GRAMMY Awards is positively stacked with talented creators who have built names for themselves on their own terms.

Best New Artist Nominees | 60th GRAMMY Awards

Some are songwriters who broke into the business penning hits for big-name artists before transitioning into their own solo careers; others are independent phenoms who leveraged their social media followings and artist amplification platforms such as SoundCloud to build a grassroots critical mass that made it impossible for the industry to ignore them.

All five will surely be names to watch in the coming years. Here's a closer look at this year's Best New Artist nominees:

Alessia Cara

Alessia Cara's debut single, "Here," became a sleeper hit in early 2015, and was dubbed by MTV as the "new song for everyone who secretly hates parties."

Her debut album arrived soon after, with the third radio single "Scars To Your Beautiful" becoming a chart hit late last year when it climbed to No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100

Leaving no doubt that the Canadian singer has officially arrived, in 2017 she was tapped for some impressive marquee collaborations on Zedd's "Stay" and Logic's "1-800-273-8255." The former is nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, while the latter is up for Song Of The Year.

Khalid

Singer/songwriter Khalid's explosive viral success with self-released tracks on SoundCloud saw the young artist tapped for numerous "artists you need to know" lists by publications such as Billboard and Rolling Stone just months after his high school graduation.

His first official single, "Location," released before the end of his senior year. The video collected more than 17 million plays on YouTube by the time his debut album, American Teen, dropped last March, and he promptly sold out every tour date of his 2017 summer tour.

Khalid is also featured alongside Alessia Cara on Logic's Song Of The Year and Best Music Video-nominated "1-800-273-8255."

The 19-year-old is nominated for a total of five GRAMMY Awards this year, with his Best R&B Song-nominated "Location" and Best Urban Contemporary Album-nominated American Teen rounding out his nods.

Polls

Who will GRAMMY voters choose for Best New Artist for the 60th GRAMMYs?

Lil Uzi Vert

With a rapid-fire series of mixtapes starting in late 2015 and stemming across 2016, Lil Uzi Vert carved himself a noticeably standout niche into the exploding cloud rap genre. With a sound often meandering between rock and hip-hop stylings, Vert's music has been sometimes called "emo rap," though the 23-year old artist strives hard to avoid genre labels.

Released in August, his debut album, Luv Is Rage 2, hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

During his recent sit-down with Zane Lowe on Beats 1 Radio, Vert was quick to stir the pot when Lowe tried to nail down a name for his sound, summing himself up saying, "I think it's [unidentifiable] … I just pulled up in a UFO, that means I'm an alien. [laughs] That's all I can say."

Lil Uzi Vert is also nominated alongside breakout trap trio Migos for his feature verse on their summer smash hit "Bad And Boujee."

Julia Michaels

Prior to stepping into the solo spotlight with her breakout debut single "Issues," Julia Michaels had already built an illustrious songwriting resume packed with writing credits for top-tier artists including Demi Lovato, Fifth Harmony, Gwen Stefani, Hailee Steinfeld, Linkin Park, and Justin Bieber.

Speaking to the Recording Academy about "Issues," Michaels revealed that the song was originally written over two years previously with the intent of giving away to a songwriting client, but she felt it too personal to give up, and sparked her decision to make the jump into becoming a performing artist.

Julia Michaels On Writing "Issues"

"I just thought, 'I can't do that. I can't give this song to somebody'," Michaels explained.  "That was my very first feeling of wanting to sing my own words."

Michaels is nominated for two GRAMMY Awards this year, with "Issues" bringing the singer/songwriter an additional nod for Song Of The Year.

SZA

SZA began stirring up underground buzz as early as 2012, with her self-released debut EP, See.SZA.Run, which caught the attention of independent hip-hop label Top Dawg Entertainment, which signed her in early 2013.

After releasing a pair of acclaimed EPs over the next two years, Top Dawg kept a tight lid on any and all details about SZA's eventual debut album, Ctrl, which was eventually released this past June. Though the album's success — gold certification and a No. 3 peak position — has resulted in somewhat of a whirlwind for the singer/songwriter, it's given her a new perspective on her fans.

SZA's "Drew Barrymore" Connection

"Being noticed on a very different end of the spectrum is very intense, but it makes me feel like I have a responsibility because I feel like every person that I'm meeting at a meet-and-greet or at a show — or that's listening to my album or that I'm seeing on the internet — I see that they're genuine reflections of me," SZA told GRAMMY.com.

Along with her Best New Artist nod, SZA has also drawn a Best R&B Song nomination this year for "Supermodel."

The 60th GRAMMY Awards will take place at Madison Square Garden in New York on Jan. 28, 2018, airing live on CBS from 7:30–11 p.m. ET/4:30–8 p.m. PT.

60th GRAMMY Awards Song Of The Year nominees

Song Of The Year nominees, 60th GRAMMY Awards
Photos: WireImage.com

Poll

2018 GRAMMYs Poll: Who Will Win Song Of The Year?

Facebook Twitter Email
Bruno Mars, Daddy Yankee, Jay-Z, Julia Michaels, Justin Bieber, Logic, Luis Fonsi, and more are officially the songwriters nominated for Song Of The Year at the 60th GRAMMYs — who will GRAMMY voters choose?
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Jan 23, 2018 - 1:10 pm

The Song Of The Year category at the 60th GRAMMY Awards represents a diverse range of genres, from pop to hip-hop and R&B. Not to mention, these songs all have great stories behind them, from the summer hit of 2017 to Bruno Mars' fourth nomination in the category.

Song Of The Year Nominees | 60th GRAMMY Awards

The nominees include "Despacito," performed and co-written by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber, was also created by the talents of songwriters Jason "Poo Bear" Boyd, Erika Ender and Marty James Garton. "4:44," performed and written by Jay-Z was co-written by producer No I.D. Julia Michaels' collaborators on "Issues" were Benny Blanco, Mikkel Storleer Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, and Justin Drew Tranter.

"1-800-273-8255," performed by Logic featuring Alessia Cara and Khalid was co-written by the performers along with Arjun Ivatury. In addition to Mars, who performed and co-wrote the nominated track, other songwriters nominated for "That's What I Like" are Christopher Brody Brown, James Fauntleroy, Philip Lawrence, Ray Charles McCullough II, Jeremy Reeves, Ray Romulus, and Jonathan Yip.

Which song do you think GRAMMY voters will choose to win Song Of The Year? Cast your vote now!

Polls

Who will GRAMMY voters choose for Song Of The Year for the 60th GRAMMYs?

The 60th GRAMMY Awards will take place at Madison Square Garden in New York on Jan. 28 airing live on CBS from 7:30–11 p.m. ET/4:30–8 p.m. PT.

 

60th GRAMMY Nominees By Region
Photo

Kendrick Lamar To Jay-Z: 2018 GRAMMY Nominees By Region | L.A. To NYC

Facebook Twitter Email
From the West and Midwest to the South and Northeast, learn where 60 60th GRAMMY nominees were born in the United States
Tim McPhate
GRAMMYs
Jan 12, 2018 - 4:45 pm

As far as the 60th GRAMMY Awards go, the compass is pointing east this year with the milestone telecast taking place at the venerable Madison Square Garden in New York on Sunday, Jan. 28.

But it goes without saying, when it comes to the hundreds of music creators who can call themselves 60th GRAMMY nominees, all signs point to disparate locations on the map.

There is, among others, Lorde, who is from Auckland, New Zealand; Ed Sheeran from England; Chronixx from Kingston, Jamaica; Antonio Sánchez from Mexico City; Juanes from Colombia; Petra Müllejans from Düsseldorf, Germany; and Dmitri Hvorostovsky from Krasnoyarsk, Russia.

And then there's the United States, with nominees hailing from Southern California all the way to Bedford, N.H.

For a different slice of the 60th GRAMMY nominees, we broke up a select group of 60 nominees according to their U.S. birthplace by region: West, Midwest, South, and Northeast. In each region you'll find 15 nominees, offering you a taste of the directional sense of how these nominees got from point A — home — to point B — Music's Biggest Night.

West

60th GRAMMY Nominees, West Region

Out West, a variety of nominees were born in California, including Childish Gambino, Kendrick Lamar, Big Sean, Tyler, The Creator, Warryn Campbell, Tina Campbell, Beck, Julian Lage, and Kehlani. Representing Las Vegas is Imagine Dragons' Dan Reynolds. India.Arie and Ben Glover hail from Colorado while Raul Midón is from the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico. Rounding out the region is a pair of Northwest entries: Natalie Grant from Seattle and Wynne from Portland, Ore.

Midwest

60th GRAMMY Nominees, Midwest

In the Midwest, SZA was born in St. Louis, the Gateway to the West. Oklahoma and Kansas are represented by country and classical royalty in Reba McEntire and Joyce DiDonato, respectively. Illinois, the Prairie State, counts Chicago native Common and Decatur native Alison Krauss as two of its own. Julia Michaels, now a Southern California resident, was born in Davenport, Iowa. The state of Indiana spawned the likes of Offa Rex's Chris Funk, comedian Jim Gaffigan and Bruno Mars collaborator Philip Lawrence. Ohio represents hard rock in the Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl and jazz with pianist Fred Hersch. Actor/filmmaker Mark Ruffalo calls Kenosha, Wis., his home, while gospel great CeCe Winans came up through the heart of Motown in Detroit. Two legends round out the region: the inimitable Bob Dylan from Minnesota and the late great Glen Campbell from Arkansas, which was once dubbed the Land of Opportunity.

South

60th GRAMMY Nominees, South Region

Starting in the South, in Texas we find jazz singer Jazzmeia Horn, "American Idol" alum Kelly Clarkson and master singer/songwriter Rodney Crowell. R&B songstress Ledisi and jazz pianist John Beasley call Louisiana home. "Cover Me Up" singer/songwriter Jason Isbell hails from Green Hill, Ala. Killer Mike and Khalid, a pair of rappers, represent the Peach State. Gospel singer Le'Andria was born in Palatka, Fla. August Burns Red's Jake Luhrs' hometown is Greenville, S.C. There are two Virginia natives — Chris Eldridge and Pharrell Williams. "Stay" singer/songwriter Lisa Loeb is from Bethesda, Md. Rapsody represents the Tar Heel State. Rounding out the region are Baltimore rapper 6LACK and Washington, D.C., funnyman Dave Chappelle.

Northeast

60th GRAMMY Nominees, Northeast Region

Up in the Northeast region, there is Jay-Z from Brooklyn, N.Y. Other New Yorkers include Lady Gaga, Cardi B, Gillian Welch, and Lana Del Rey. Producer/songwriter Jack Antonoff and the Boss, Bruce Springsteen, call New Jersey home. Representing the Keystone State are jazzers Joey DeFrancesco and Christine McBride, pop queen Pink, rapper Lil Uzi Vert and comedian Kevin Hart. Rounding out the region are Seth McFarlane, from Kent, Conn.; composer Adam Schoenberg: Northampton, Mass.; and comedienne Sarah Silverman from Bedford, N.H.

Khalid

Khalid

Photo: Justin Lloyd/Newspix/Getty Images

News

Khalid, Lil Uzi Vert, Julia Michaels Partner With GRAMMY Awards, Uber

Facebook Twitter Email
The three current Best New Artist nominees will surprise aspiring musician Uber drivers, with segments to air during the 60th GRAMMY Awards
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Jan 12, 2018 - 9:37 am

Ever fantasize about your favorite artist crashing your Uber ride? Now, thanks to the 60th GRAMMY Awards Uber partnership with three Best New Artist GRAMMY nominees — Khalid, Lil Uzi Vert and Julia Michaels — the rideshare company will make that dream come true for unsuspecting aspiring musician Uber drivers.

Best New Artist Nominees | 60th GRAMMY Awards

Each Best New Artist nominee will share their career stories and give a leg up to the aspiring musicians who will be surprised by the encounter. Lil Uzi Vert will surprise a Philadelphia rapper; Khalid will pair up with a beat maker; and Michaels will swap stories with an aspiringsinger.

Fans will have the chance to live vicariously through the selected Uber drivers with videos of the interactions, which will air during the 60th GRAMMYs on Jan. 28 on CBS.

"In music, everyone is working towards that big break," Amy Friedlander Hoffman, who heads experiential marketing for Uber, told Billboard. "That's why we are thrilled to partner with the GRAMMYs to further the ambitions of artists​ ​and fans alike​.​"

"The Recording Academy is proud to partner with Uber, one of today's more innovative brands, to build a multifaceted, fully immersive program worthy of the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards," added Evan Greene, the Recording Academy's Chief Marketing Officer. "This partnership is creating unique and unexpected opportunities to connect with music’s biggest night."

The 60th GRAMMY Awards will take place at New York City's Madison Square Garden on Sunday, Jan. 28. The telecast will be broadcast live on CBS at 7:30–11 p.m. ET/4:30–8 p.m. PT.