- The 2026 Grammy race for Best New Artist is considered a wide-open and unpredictable field, lacking the clear frontrunners of previous years.
- Influencer-turned-singer Alex Warren is the predicted frontrunner to win, thanks to the overwhelming radio and streaming success of his hit ballad, “Ordinary.”
- British singer-songwriter Lola Young is hailed as the artist who should win, celebrated for her raw, vulnerable lyrics and the viral success of her song “Messy.”
- Other strong contenders include artists who have recently had major career breakthroughs, such as Yungblud, Sombr, Megan Moroney, and The Marías.
An Unpredictable Race for Grammy Gold
The field for the 2026 Best New Artist Grammy is shaping up to be a complete head-scratcher. According to Cecilia Winter, Editorial Lead for Global Hits at Spotify, the obvious nominee choices that were present last year are not as apparent this time around. This uncertainty has created one of the most exciting and unpredictable races in recent memory. “A lot has been going on in specific genre spaces,” Winter notes, but a single, dominant new artist has yet to emerge, leaving the door open for a diverse group of contenders.
The Predicted Winner vs. The People’s Champion
H3: Who Will Likely Win? Alex Warren
All signs point to Alex Warren taking home the golden gramophone. His dominance on radio and streaming platforms with the unabashedly romantic ballad “Ordinary” makes him a commercial powerhouse. Winter states that Warren is in a “pantheon of male vocalists who are full of love, and yearning, and heartbreak,” a style that has historically been well-recognized by the Grammys. His massive online following and chart success create a compelling case for his victory.
H3: Who Should Win? Lola Young
While Warren may have the numbers, British artist Lola Young has captured critical acclaim and a dedicated audience with her fierce authenticity. Following the viral success of “Messy,” Young proved she wouldn’t be boxed in, releasing music that stayed true to her raw and relatable songwriting. “She has built this really sticky audience because of these super raw, vulnerable, relatable lyrics,” says Winter, highlighting her compelling voice and sound as reasons she deserves the award.
Other Notable Contenders
The list of potential nominees also includes several artists who achieved breakthrough success during the eligibility period. British rocker Yungblud raised his profile significantly, while witty Nashville singer Megan Moroney and the genre-bending indie-pop act The Marías also had game-changing years, making this one of the most exciting nomination fields to watch.
Image Referance: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/grammys-2026-best-new-artist-predictions-nominees-1235441076/
