Grammys 2025: Early Best New Artist contenders include Benson Boone, Teddy Swims …

This is already shaping up to be an interesting year for Best New Artist at the Grammys. The category might lack a clear frontrunner so far, as it is early in the year, but we do have some serious contenders who might pick up more steam closer to voting time this fall. Plus, an open field might make it even more interesting, unlike years where the winner was rather obvious like when Olivia Rodrigo and Billie Eilish prevailed.

TikTok breakout Benson Boone might be positioning himself as the one to beat. He had already achieved some recognition before 2024 with his viral tracks “In the Stars” and “Ghost Town,” the latter of which charted on the Billboard Hot 100. However, he’s having his big break this year with the massive “Beautiful Things.” The track has led the global charts and so far peaked at number-three on the Hot 100. Boone seems like the kind of artist whom the Recording Academy would like: he’s a singer-songwriter, a strong vocalist, and makes pop-rock music which could appeal to many branches of the academy. However, we might have to wait until his debut album comes out to find out if Boone is just a one-hit wonder or a bona fide pop star; previous TikTok breakouts like Gayle, Dove Cameron, and Raye have all been snubbed from this category.

Another major contender is Tate McRae. She isn’t really new, having achieved multiple top-50 hits. However, her song “Greedy” has been a real catalyst for success, peaking in the top five of the Hot 100 and topping the global charts for weeks. McRae’s previous success, if anything, kinda helps, considering the Grammys sometimes shy away from new artists who aren’t at least somewhat established or have multiple hits by voting time. Plus, McRae’s “Think Later” album has done pretty well, debuting at number-four in the US and achieving another hit with “Exes,” which so far has peaked in the top 40 of the Hot 100. She would also continue the unbroken streak of female winners in the category going back to Alessia Cara’s 2018 win.

Also in the mix is Teddy Swims, who has achieved a lot of success in the past few months. Swims is best known for his hit “Lose Control,” which has so far peaked at number-two on the Hot 100, the highest for any BNA contender this year so far. While the original version of “Lose Control” was released too early to be eligible for this year’s Grammys, Swims could get in by submitting a live or alternate version. The song has led Swims to achieve success on streaming as well and to show up at very important campaigning stops like “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” where he dueted “Lose Control” with Clarkson.

Also a strong possibility is reggae breakout YG Marley. Marley is the son of eight-time Grammy winner Lauryn Hill and grandson of Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award honoree Bob Marley. He recently released his debut single, “Praise Jah in the Moonlight,” which has been climbing up the charts and is now a top-40 hit.

Another breakout star with industry connections is Djo, also known as “Stranger Things” actor Joe Keery. Djo has been making music for a while, but he is now achieving mainstream success with his song “End of Beginning,” which has been racking up millions of streams and recently debuted on the Hot 100.

Last but not least, there’s rapper Flo Milli. She has been buzzy for quite a while, notching minor online hits over the years. This season, though, has seen her true mainstream breakout with “Never Lose Me,” which peaked in the top 20 of the Hot 100. The glossy rap banger might be the first of many successes for her this year, so she might continue the streak of female rap nominees in this category, including Lizzo, winner Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat, Saweetie, Latto and Ice Spice.

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