Every February, the music industry comes together to celebrate the very best artists in the game, during what’s known as Music’s Biggest Night. As the nominees are announced, heads turn towards the less familiar names as much as the established acts: who are the artists being honored with nominations, and how has their music resonated? Noting the repeat nominees who came up on SoundCloud — from Fred again.. and Tyler, The Creator to Doechii and Billie Eilish — there are a host of artists in 2026 who have either been nominated for the first time, or are excitedly manifesting hearing their name called at the podium for the first time.
Some of these artists are fresh on the scene, making an immediate mainstream impact, while others have been grinding away at their craft for years, and are now stepping into the spotlight. In the category of Best New Artist, there’s a wealth of young talent, with a dominant strain of pop: from vocalists Olivia Dean, Addison Rae and Lola Young to indie-leaning acts Alex Warren, sombr and The Marías. R&B artist Leon Thomas has snared an impressive six first-time nominations, after the success of his breakthrough 2024 album, ‘MUTT.’
Throughout Music’s Biggest Night, a wide variety of genres and scenes are represented. Coming from the Baltimore hardcore punk scene, Turnstile are nominated for their 2025 album ‘NEVER ENOUGH;’ British rock musician and vocalist YUNGBLUD, having taken the US by storm completely selling out the North American leg of his Idols World tour in 2025, is a triple nominee, including for his star-making live performance of the late rock legend Ozzy Osbourne’s “Changes.” Latin American and Mexican music has a strong showing, with acts like Nicki Nicole, CA7RIEL & Paco Amaroso, Fuerza Regida and Grupo Frontera all nominated, and the next generation of country-folk acts is represented by Jesse Welles and Sierra Hull.
Dive into this exclusive collection of tracks — featuring JID, Ayra Starr, FLO, PinkPantheress, Laufey and more — and discover the artists who are primed for awards season in 2026.
LISTEN TO THE AWARDS SEASON BREAKOUTS PLAYLIST ON SOUNDCLOUD NOW
JID, “Wholeheartedly”
Atlanta’s JID is nominated for Best Rap Album, for ‘God Does Like Ugly,’ and Best Melodic Rap Performance, for his track “Wholeheartedly,” which marks a collaboration with Ty Dolla $ign and 6lack. Dive into JID’s episode of SoundCloud’s ORIGINS, and discover more about the rising rap’s journey, from his first upload in 2014 to his first Grammy nomination over a decade later.
Dijon, “Yamaha”
Maryland producer, vocalist and songwriter Dijon is nominated for his production work on Justin Bieber’s ‘SWAG.’ He also won critical acclaim for his Prince-indebted 2025 solo album, ‘Baby.’
Leon Thomas, “My Muse”
Running ahead with an impressive six nominations, stemming from his breakthrough album ‘MUTT,’ R&B vocalist and producer Leon Thomas is a real contender.
PinkPantheress, Anitta, “Illegal”
British vocalist and producer PinkPantheress is nominated for Best Dance Pop Recording, for her track “Illegal,” and for Best Dance/Electronic Album, for ‘Fancy That.’ Here, she remixes “Illegal” with Brazilian pop star Anitta.
FKA twigs, “HARD”
A fixture of British electronic pop music for over a decade now, FKA twigs is nominated in the Best Dance/Electronic Album category for ‘EUSEXUA.’
DESTIN CONRAD, Teezo Touchdown, “THE LAST TIME”
Vocalist and songwriter DESTIN CONRAD is nominated in the Best Progressive R&B Album category for ‘LOVE ON DIGITAL.’ On this track, he collaborates with fellow 2026 nominee, Teezo Touchdown.
FLO, “Recently Deleted”
British R&B girl group FLO, who have collaborated with the likes of KAYTRANANDA, are first-time nominees this year in the Best Progressive R&B Album category, for ‘Access All Areas.’
Tyler, The Creator, “Darling, I” feat. Teezo Touchdown
Rap vocalist Teezo Touchdown is nominated for Best Rap Performance in 2026 for his feature on this Tyler, the Creator track, from Tyler’s 2025 album ‘DON’T TAP THE GLASS.’
sombr, “undressed”
Breakthrough indie pop act sombr is nominated in the key Best New Artist category this year, off the back of his hugely successful debut album, ‘I Barely Know Her.’
The Marías, “Lejos de Ti”
LA-based group The Marías have been blending indie, ambient and pop for over a decade — but the slow-rippling success of their 2024 album ‘Submarine’ helped lead to their nomination this year, for Best New Artist.
Laufey, “Lover Girl”
Icelandic vocalist Laufey’s latest album, ‘A Matter of Time,’ is nominated in this year’s Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album category.
Jesse Wells, “Red”
Bringing a Bob Dylan radical folk energy into 2026, vocalist, songwriter and guitarist Jesse Welles is a four-time nominee this year, in the Americana, Folk and American Roots categories.
Lukas Nelson, “Pretty Much”
The son of iconic country music artist Willie Nelson, Lukas Nelson is nominated this year in the Best Traditional Country Album category for 2025’s ‘American Romance.’
Alex Warren, Gigi Perez, “Eternity”
After the runaway success of his track “Ordinary” and album ‘You’ll Be Alright, Kid,’ vocalist and songwriter Alex Warren is nominated as a Best New Artist in 2026.
Sierra Hull, “Spitfire”
Tennessee-born bluegrass artist Sierra Hull sings, writes, and plays the mandolin and guitar. She’s grabbed four nominations this year, including for her 2025 album, ‘A Tip Toe High Wire.’
Olivia Dean, “A Couple Minutes”
With her sunshine energy and oh-so sweet pop songs, British vocalist Olivia Dean earned her nomination for Best New Artist thanks to her 2025 debut album, ‘The Art of Loving.’
Addison Rae, “Fame is a Gun”
Blending Lana Del Rey-style sentimental storytelling with a Britney Spears-esque pop edge, Addison Rae shot to fame with her breakthrough 2025 album, ‘Addison.’ She’s nominated for Best New Artist this year.
Tate McRae, “Just Keep Watching”
In 2025, Canadian vocalist and dancer Tate McRae delivered fresh pop hits like “Revolving Door”; she’s nominated in this year’s Best Dance Pop Recording category.
KATSEYE, “Internet Girl”
LA-based girl group KATSEYE blends high-energy electronic music with forward-thinking pop. They’re nominated as Best New Artist and in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
Zara Larsson, “Midnight Sun”
Swedish pop vocalist Zara Larsson had a breakthrough year in 2025 with her latest album, ‘Midnight Sun.’ The title track is nominated in the Best Dance Pop Recording category, and marks her first time being nominated.
Lila Iké, Protoje, “All Over the World”
Jamaican vocalist and songwriter Lila Iké released her debut album, ‘Treasure Self Love,’ in 2025. She’s a first-time Grammy nominee this year, in the Best Reggae Album category.
ROSÉ, Bruno Mars, “APT.”
Breaking from K-pop girl group BLACKPINK, ROSÉ went solo and made this hit track with Bruno Mars, which is nominated in three categories this year. She’s the first Korean female solo artist to be nominated for a Grammy.
Ayra Starr, Wizkid, “Gimme Dat”
Nigerian vocalist and songwriter Ayra Starr is nominated for Best African Music Performance for this collaborative track with Wizkid, blending Afrobeats, R&B and Afropop.
Nicki Nicole, “FORTY”
Argentinian vocalist and songwriter Nicki Nicole’s 2024 album, ‘NAIKI,’ is nominated in the Best Música Urbana Album category.
CA7RIEL, Paco Amaroso, “GIMME MORE”
With their high octane mix of trap, hip-hop, EDM and pop, Argentine duo CA7RIEL and Paco Amaroso are nominated in the Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album category for ‘PAPOTA.’
Fuerza Regida, Grupo Frontera, “COQUETA”
Fuerza Regida and Grupo Frontera are both nominated in the Best Música Mexicana Album category; on this track, the Mexican-American bands collaborate.
Turnstile, “BIRDS”
Baltimore hardcore punk band Turnstile are nominated across the Alternative, Rock and Metal categories via their 2025 album ‘NEVER ENOUGH.’
Amyl and the Sniffers, “U Should Not Be Doing That”
Australian punk band Amyl and The Sniffers are nominated in the Best Rock Performance category for this track from their 2024 album, ‘Cartoon Darkness.’
Lola Young, “SPIDERS”
After the runaway success of her breakthrough 2024 track “Messy,” British vocalist and songwriter Lola Young is nominated for Best New Artist.
YUNGBLUD, The Smashing Pumpkins, “Zombie” — 136K
Named in three Rock categories, British rock vocalist and musician YUNGBLUD collaborates with The Smashing Pumpkins on this fresh version of his nominated track.
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