5 up-and-coming music stars to watch for potential Grammy noms
2024 has seen a huge influx of new artists rising high on the charts. Some of them are already showing signs of sticking around, like alt-pop breakout Chappell Roan or balladeer Benson Boone. However, some of the prominent new acts on the charts have yet to notch a second hit or develop enough of a fanbase to ensure their success beyond their one big hit. Names like Djo, Tommy Richman, Shaboozey, Artemas, and Dasha still need to prove their staying power, and as such, one does wonder how they’ll be received by the industry, particularly at the Grammys, which are oftentimes a make-or-break for a new artist looking to prove that they are on their way to the top, rather than a flash in the pan. So how will these new names fare there?
Shaboozey experienced his big break this year after featuring on two songs on Beyoncé’s acclaimed country pivot, “Cowboy Carter.” He followed that up with a hit of his own: the fun “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” which has peaked at number-two on the Billboard Hot 100 as of this writing. The burgeoning star hasn’t yet been fully embraced by the country industry, but he’s getting there. “A Bar Song” is close to entering the top 10 on country radio, which is quite fast for a new artist, and his newest album, “Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going,” had a decent performance in its first week, debuting in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 and showing some staying power after four weeks on the chart. Plus, with co-signs from Beyoncé and other Grammy nominees like Noah Cyrus, you can expect him to get a fair shot at some nominations. His most likely are Best Country Song and Best New Artist, where he could follow Jelly Roll and Jimmie Allen as the only country BNA nominees since the nomination review committees were eliminated.
Speaking of country, there’s Dasha, a breakout thanks to her hit “Austin.” The song became a viral hit on TikTok, recently entered the top 20 on the Hot 100 and is still rising in most formats. Most importantly, it’s a top-30 country radio hit, and it’s still showing signs of growth. Dasha’s main challenge with the Grammys is that she hasn’t had a big hit album or released a strong follow-up single. However, if “Austin” can reach the top 10 on country radio, we might see it in Best Country Song, especially as it will be one of the first songs on the alphabetical ballot. As for a Best New Artist nomination, Dasha might still be too green. Oftentimes voters prefer artists with a bit more of an established presence.
Moving from country to alternative and pop, there’s Djo, who you might know better as actor Joe Keery from “Stranger Things” and “Fargo.” The singer and actor has found success this year with “End of Beginning,” a retro piece of alt-pop which peaked in the top 20 of the Hot 100. The song has also reached the top 10 on the Rock and Alternative Airplay chart, meaning it might be well on its way to a Best Alternative Music Performance nomination. Plus, Djo has been making the rounds, presenting at the Brit Awards and doing promo on Apple Music and NME. Still, just like Dasha, the lack of a follow-up single or big industry connections or features on other artists’ songs could hurt his chances at a Best New Artist nom.
British artist Artemas is in a similar lane musically, making alternative pop music with a darker edge. The singer went viral this year with his hit “I Like the Way You Kiss Me” thanks to TikTok. The song’s genre submission is a bit of a mystery, since it could theoretically be slotted in Pop Solo Performance, Dance Pop Recording or Alternative Music Performance. The song’s streaming success also hasn’t really translated to exposure on pop or alternative radio, and there’s little indication thus far of Artemas being an industry darling.
R&B/pop star Tommy Richman might be in a similar boat. His “Million Dollar Baby” reached number-two on the Hot 100. But like Artemas, he has kept a low profile on the promotional circuit and hasn’t had a major follow-up hit song. That said, at least Richman is signed to the label of popular singer Brent Faiyaz, who has gotten a Grammy nomination before. His song is also faring well on radio, reaching the top 20 on pop radio. That said, as it stands, I wouldn’t bet on either Artemas or Richman getting much love at the Grammys.
When it comes to breakouts at the Grammys, it’s smart to bet on more established new artists who have shown promise on the charts and garnered industry support. Still, keep an eye out for all these above mentioned artists, especially in the months to follow when awards campaigning is in full force. They may surprise us.
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