Billboard reports that six artists who were denied the best new artist Grammy could now find themselves in contention for album of the year at the 2027 Awards. The nominations for the 69th annual Grammy Awards will be revealed on Nov. 16, and among them, those same six artists who previously fell short in that category now have a chance at the biggest prize in the room.
The Six Losers
Six artists have been nominated for best new artist and lost: Taylor Swift, Rosalía, Noah Kahan, Phoebe Bridgers, Kacey Musgraves, and RAYE. All six have since released an album this year that could put them back into contention for the most coveted trophy in the industry.
Swift’s Long Road Back
Taylor Swift was nominated for best new artist at the 2008 ceremony, where she lost to Amy Winehouse. Since then, she has become the standard-bearer for comeback stories at the Grammys. She has been nominated for album of the year seven times, and her odds look excellent this year.
Her album The Life of a Showgirl is the record in question. Billboard puts Swift in contention for a nod, and her history suggests she is a lock. She has won album of the year four times before — for Fearless, 1989, Folklore, and Midnights — and she remains one of the most decorated artists in the format.
Rosalía’s Critical Turn
At the 2020 ceremony, Rosalía was up for best new artist but came up short against Billie Eilish. Her album Lux has drawn critical acclaim, and Billboard says she carries a strong shot at a nod.
Kahan’s Strong Case
Billboard describes Noah Kahan as a strong contender, and his album The Great Divide is the record in play. He was nominated for the new artist prize in 2024, though he lost to Victoria Monét.
Bridgers and Bridgers
She came close in 2021, losing out to Megan Thee Stallion, but Phoebe Bridgers remains a serious contender for her album Lost Weekend.
Bridgers has spent years building a reputation as one of the most distinctive voices in indie rock, and her 2021 nomination for best new artist put her in the national spotlight. Her album Lost Weekend is the record in question.
Musgraves’ Long Wait
She was nominated for an award and came up short against Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, though her album Middle of Nowhere gives her a second opportunity. The nomination came in 2014, where she fell short.
The award for best new artist, which came with her 2014 nomination, helped bring Musgraves to a wider audience. Five years later, her album Golden Hour took home the prize for album of the year. Now her latest record, Middle of Nowhere, stands ready to give her another chance at that same honor.
RAYE’s First Chance
She was nominated in 2025, where she came up short against Chappell Roan. Her album This Music May Contain Hope is what gives her a shot now.
This Music May Contain Hope is the album that could put RAYE in contention for an album of the year nomination.
The Historical Pattern
Previously snubbed artists have come back to take home album of the year at the Grammys before. On Feb. 1, at the 68th annual ceremony, three of the album of the year nominees had already lost best new artist earlier in their careers.
- Justin Bieber, who lost in 2011 to Esperanza Spalding
- Kendrick Lamar, who lost in 2014 to Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
- Sabrina Carpenter, who lost in 2025 to Chappell Roan
Fourteen Grammy winners have received both honors, with seven losing best new artist before claiming album of the year as a lead artist in a later season. Among them is Swift, the sole artist in Grammy history to take home album of year four times.
Other musicians have won what many consider the most important Grammy award after losing best new artist. Those artists include Eric Clapton, Robert Plant, Toto, The Chicks, Mumford & Sons, and Musgraves.
The Career Advice
Seven artists will hear their names left off the list when the winner of best new artist is named on Feb. 7. A word of warning to each of those seven: losing that title doesn’t mean your career is over. You’ve only just begun.
For decades, the Grammys have favored performers who continue to produce excellent work year after year. That these six musicians remain in the running for album of the year despite losing best new artist demonstrates the awards show’s preference for lasting achievement and musical excellence rather than a fleeting instant of acclaim.
The Numbers Behind the Story
Here is a breakdown of the key facts from the report:
- Grammy Awards: 69th annual ceremony, nominations announced Nov. 16
- Best new artist losers in contention for album of the year: Swift, Rosalía, Kahan, Bridgers, Musgraves, and RAYE
- Swift’s album of the year nominations: Seven total, including wins for Fearless, 1989, Folklore, and Midnights
- Lamar’s album of the year nominations: Five times as a lead artist
- Kanye West’s album of the year nominations: Four times, after losing best new artist in 2005 to Maroon 5
| Artist | Best New Artist Loss | Album of the Year Win |
|---|---|---|
| Taylor Swift | 2008 (lost to Amy Winehouse) | Fearless, 1989, Folklore, Midnights |
| Kendrick Lamar | 2014 (lost to Macklemore & Ryan Lewis) | Multiple nominations |
| Kanye West | 2005 (lost to Maroon 5) | Multiple nominations |
What We Make of It
The path is plain to see: artists who fall short at best new artist do not vanish. Instead, they return, usually with stronger records and a sharper focus. Swift, Rosalía, Kahan, Bridgers, Musgraves, and RAYE are all in the conversation for album of the year, and their histories show they know what it takes to win.
These six artists have been nominated for best new artist, lost, and kept making music anyway. The Grammys tend to recognize acts that keep evolving, and these musicians fit that profile exactly. They now have an opportunity to show that the loss was merely the start of their tale, not its conclusion.
There is no need for an artist to despair after losing the title of best new artist. The loss simply means the journey has barely begun.
Source material: “6 Artists Who Lost the Best New Artist Grammy Could Be Nominated for Album of the Year at 2027 Awards,” Billboard.
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