The 2026 Grammy nominees for Best New Artist were announced in November 2025, spotlighting a diverse mix of rising stars from pop, indie, and R&B scenes.

Nominees List

These eight artists earned nods for their breakout work over the eligibility period (October 2024–September 2025), blending viral hits, TikTok fame, and critical buzz.

Artist| Genre/Style Highlights| Key Buzz 135
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Olivia Dean| Soulful pop/R&B| UK breakout with heartfelt vocals.
KATSEYE| Global pop/K-pop fusion| HYBE/Geffen girl group debut smash.
The Marías| Indie dream-pop| Decade-building with emotional tracks like "No One Noticed."
Addison Rae| Dance-pop/TikTok star| Debut album Addison singles like "Diet."
sombr| Bedroom pop/indie| NYC cool-kid aesthetic, strong contender.
Leon Thomas| R&B/songwriter| Veteran hitmaker tipped as frontrunner.
Alex Warren| Romantic pop| "Ordinary" Hot 100 dominance.
Lola Young| Alt-pop| Raw emotion, early hype. 9

Trending Context

Nominations dropped amid Grammy excitement, with all eight set to perform at the February 2026 ceremony—a rare full-category showcase. Predictions split: Leon Thomas edges for industry ties, but sombr and Addison Rae ride streaming waves; no clear favorite yet. Forums buzz about TikTok-to-Grammy pipelines, echoing Sabrina Carpenter's 2025 near-win.

Quick Backstories

  • Addison Rae : From TikTok dances to "High Fashion" charting—her pivot thrills voters.
  • The Marías : María Zardoya's tearjerker vibes after years grinding.
  • Leon Thomas : Songwriting cred (think Ariana collabs) boosts his shot.

TL;DR : Olivia Dean, KATSEYE, The Marías, Addison Rae, sombr, Leon Thomas, Alex Warren, Lola Young—watch Leon or sombr for the win.

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