SAMPLEDWho Is Eligible for Best New Artist at the 2027 Grammys?
331 artists made the 2027 Grammy entry list for best new artist. Don Toliver is in, Megan Moroney is out. Here is how eligibility works, the rule change that helped Ella Langley and Ken Carson, and key dates.
The entry list for best new artist at the 2027 Grammys includes 331 artists, Billboard reported (opens in a new tab) on Oct. 12, 2026. Being on the list means an artist can receive votes; it is not a nomination.
Who made the list and who didn't?
| On the entry list | Not on the list |
|---|---|
| Don Toliver | Megan Moroney |
| Sam Fender | Cortis |
| Ella Langley, Ken Carson, Geese | Myles Smith |
| Sienna Spiro, Bella Kay, Malcolm Todd, Stella Lefty | Tucker Wetmore, Emily Ann Roberts |
| Avery Anna, Carter Faith, Stephen Wilson Jr. | |
| Kwn, Monaleo, Audrey Hobert |
Don Toliver's inclusion surprised some: he has had five consecutive top 10 albums since March 2020 and his first No. 1 this year with Octane. Megan Moroney, who won new artist at the CMA Awards in November 2024, was ruled ineligible.
How is best new artist eligibility decided?
The Recording Academy's rulebook sets no maximum number of previous releases. Instead, screening committees decide whether the artist "had attained [a] high degree of impact in the music industry prior to the eligibility year." If so, they are disqualified. That is why sales history alone does not decide it.
What rule changed this year?
The Academy raised the number of times an artist can be entered in the category from three to four. That kept Ella Langley and Ken Carson eligible, and Geese too, Billboard reports.
Photo: Ezra Jeffrey via Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
When are nominations announced?
From the Grammy FAQ (opens in a new tab):
- First Round Voting: Oct. 12 to Oct. 22, 2026
- Nominees announced: Nov. 16, 2026
- Final Round Voting: Dec. 10, 2026 to Jan. 7, 2027
- 69th Grammy Awards: Feb. 7, 2027, on ABC, Disney+ and Hulu
For how entries, screening and voting work every year, read How Does the Grammy Submission and Voting Process Work?
FAQ
Who won best new artist last time? Olivia Dean, per Billboard.
How many best new artist nominees will there be? Check the Academy's announcement on Nov. 16.
Why are VMA and CMA new-artist nominees missing? Each award has its own rules; Grammy screening looks at impact before the eligibility year.