The 2024 Grammys ‘The Best New Artist’ category just might be one of the Grammys most exciting categories. Every year, rising artists who have the potential to become great, legendary artists in the future are honored. Though the nominees might be fresh debutantes or have been in the field for decades, the best new artist honor is for the moment they are living in, the present, and how they are breaking boundaries with unique and distinctive voices, visions, and music. On November 10, 2023, the nomination announcements for the 2024 Grammys best new artist contenders were revealed, them being Ice Spice, Victoria Monet, Coco Jones, Jelly Roll, Gracie Abrams, Fred Again…, Noah Kahan, and finally the husband and wife duo The War and Treaty.
Let’s get to know a little more about the nominees for best new artist at the 2024 Grammys, who just might be the voices of tomorrow.
Victoria Monet
Victoria Monet is an R&B singer who has had a great behind-the-scenes presence in pop music and has been releasing solo music since 2014 with her debut EP, Nightmares & Lullabies: Act 1. This 34-year-old songwriter is known for writing various hit songs for some of the biggest pop stars, including Ariana Grande, Chloe x Halle, Blackpink, and more. She has also been nominated for three Grammys due to her excellent songwriting prowess. Victoria started getting more recognition for her own singing as she developed her own artistry. Her 2020 independently released EP, Jaguar which made a breakthrough and was critically acclaimed for its luxurious r&b melodies and classy undertones. She has now received seven nominations at the 2024 Grammys, including best new artist and record of the year for On My Mama.
The War and Treaty
Tanya and Michael Trotter Jr., the husband and wife duo, found each other in 2010 and began their lasting partnership both in love and in music. The War and Treaty was originally formed in 2014 and changed to its iconic name in 2017. They have been gaining fans in an astonishing rate with their emotional songs inspired by country, soul and gospel music. In 2022, they signed with UMG Nashville, and in March 2023, they released Lovers Game under their first major label, which hit big, earning them two nominations for best new artist and best American roots song for their blank page.
Fred Again…
Fred Gibson, a British producer and DJ, has co-written and produced tracks for famous artists like Rita Ora and Ed Sheeran. He rose to popularity during the pandemic since, when people couldn’t go to clubs, his mix-and-match dance tracks brought nostalgia and euphoria. Starting with his actual life album in 2020, he expanded it into three studio albums, the latest being Actual Life 3 in 2022. Even before his release of his own complex creations, Fred was already lauded as one of the most prominent producers, as he also won producer of the year at the Brit Awards, becoming the youngest producer at 26. In addition to being the best new artist, he was also nominated for best dance/electronic music album for Actual Life 3.
Coco Jones
Coco Jones, also known for her acting roles in the 2012 Disney Channel original movie Let It Shine and the Pecocks Bel-air series, has been in the music field for more than a decade. Jones spent the majority of the past years as an independent singer and actress, dropping four EPs and scoring roles in films like 2018’s Flock of Four and 2022’s Bel-air. Last year, after she signed a contract with Hugh Standardz and DEF Jam Records, she released her first major album EP, I Didn’t Tell You, featured on Babyface’s Grammy-nominated Girls Night Out and earned her first no. 1 spot on Billboard’s mainstream r&b/hip-hop airplay chart with the slutry ICU.
Noah Kahan
Noah, a 26-year-old folk pop singer, first teased his Songstick Season on TikTok in 2020, which went viral in the next two years, culminating with his first official release as the lead track off his 2022 LP Songstick Season. The album followed suit as a great success, earning him a spot on five billboard charts upon its release, including top rock and alt albums, and prompting collaborations with Kacey Musgraves, Hozier, and Post Malone. As he starts with a stadium/arena tour at Las Vegas and New York’s Madison Square Garden, he enjoys the limelight with his hard-earned first Grammy nomination as best new artist.
Gracie Abrams
Ever since Gracie’s debut single Mean It in 2019, she has caught the attention of fans, media, and fellow singers with her confessional lyrics and her soft, raspy voice. Her various admirers include big-name singers like Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo, as both of them invited her to be the opening act for their respective tours. The 24-year-old singer Gracie released her debut studio album, Good Riddance, co-written by her and the national’s Aaron Dessner, allowing her talents to bloom further.
Jelly Roll
The singers, who had a turbulent journey before becoming one of country music’s most exciting new artists, developed a unique mix of hip-hop and country, leading him to a grand Ole Orphy debut in 2021 and the smash hit Son of a Sinner and his ballads of the broken. Jason Deford, the 38-year-old star’s success with Son of a Sinner, continued to release successful singles Need a Favor and Save Me, which earned him a nomination for best country duo or group performance of the year for his duet version with Lainey Wilson, along with his nomination for best new artist.
Ice Spice
The 23-year-old artist Ice Spice had a breakthrough with 2022’s Munch (feeling you), followed by Bikini Bottom and In Ha Mood, which were equally popular. The successful singles led up to her January debut EP, Like…?, and in less than a year, Isis Gaston released collaborations with Pink Pantheress, Niki Minaj, and Taylor Swift, becoming the first artist to land four top 10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2023. Though she hasn’t even released a debut studio album, she’s an undeniable phenomenon and is being led to be one of the nominees for the 2024 Grammys for best new artist.
