Grammy Awards 2025: Best New Artist Category Contenders Unveiled

The debate over who will clinch the coveted Best New Artist award at the 2025 Grammy Awards has intensified, as Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan emerge as frontrunners. This was discussed in detail on the latest episode of the Billboard Shop Podcast, where hosts Katie Atkinson and Keith Caulfield examined the contenders and dynamics of this prestigious category.

According to Billboard Awards Editor Paul Grein, Carpenter and Roan are among a plethora of artists who have made significant impressions on the Billboard Hot 100 over the past year. Other prominent names include chart-topping artist Shaboozey, along with Tommy Richman, Benson Boone, and Teddy Swims, each of whom have seen remarkable success in recent months.

The podcast highlighted that Sabrina Carpenter recently returned to the number one spot on the Billboard 200 albums chart with her album Short ‘n Sweet. Meanwhile, Shaboozey continues his dominance on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart, holding the top position for the 13th consecutive week, despite strong competition from artists like Billie Eilish, The Weekend, and Playboi Carti. In another musical update, Lady Gaga‘s new album Harlequin debuted at the top of two Jazz album charts.

Beyond the Best New Artist category, the Grammy Awards are drawing attention across various artistic domains. Rolling Stone recently predicted nominees for several Grammy categories, offering insights on potential winners. Among them, Beyoncé’s work in the country music realm, represented by her album Cowboy Carter, stands out. Industry experts anticipate her recognition in the country album category after being overlooked by the CMA Awards.

Storme Warren, a veteran broadcaster, expressed his belief that Beyoncé’s album deserves acknowledgment for capturing the essence of country music interwoven with Black musical influences. Similarly, Rachel Whitney of Spotify‘s Nashville editorial team anticipates Beyoncé’s nomination due to the album’s exceptional narrative and compositional depth.

Not to be overlooked are contributions from other acclaimed artists such as Chris Stapleton with Higher, an album lauded for its excellence and consistent presence in award considerations. Lainey Wilson, following her previous success, returns with Whirlwind, which critics view as an evolution of her artistic journey. Kacey Musgraves and Sturgill Simpson are also in the spotlight for their albums that revisit and reinterpret traditional country themes.

Amidst this coalition of talent, the Grammy Awards 2025 promise to be a celebration of a diverse and innovative music scene. Fans and artists alike await the official announcements, set to be unveiled on November 8, 2024.