Recording Academy CEO Explains the Complexities Behind Best New Artist Eligibility, Revealing the Focus is on Prominence, Not “Newness.”
Sabrina Carpenter’s nomination for Best New Artist at the 2025 Grammys has sparked considerable discussion, especially given the fact that the singer-actress has already released six albums. The category, traditionally reserved for fresh talent making their debut, seems to be at odds with Carpenter’s seasoned career. So, what exactly makes an artist eligible for the prestigious award, and why is Carpenter’s name on the list?
The Challenge of Defining “Newness”
Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. recently discussed the complexities of determining Best New Artist eligibility in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. He admitted that the process is far from straightforward, noting the challenge of defining what makes an artist “new.” According to Mason, the nomination criteria are less about an artist’s experience or the number of albums they’ve released and more about their rise to national or international prominence.
“For me, what it comes down to is when an artist rises to national or international prominence,” Mason said. “It could be their first record, it could be their sixth record. To me, this feels like a time when our best new artists have broken through and become nationally prominent and are doing amazing work.” Essentially, an artist is considered “new” when they break through to a larger audience, even if they’ve been making music for years.
A Broader Understanding of “New”
The 2025 Grammy nominations for Best New Artist reflect a broad interpretation of what it means to be “new.” Among this year’s nominees are artists like Doechii, whose mixtapes date back to 2019, and Khruangbin, who released their fifth studio album in 2023. Carpenter, too, despite her long history in music, has gained significant mainstream attention in recent years, especially with the release of her latest album emails I can’t send and her growing presence in popular culture.
Mason acknowledged that determining eligibility is not always a simple calculation, and the Academy trusts the judgment of the committees and voters to make the right decisions. “It’s difficult, and it’s challenging because it’s a little bit amorphous how you would evaluate best new artist,” he explained.
Historical Precedents and Changing Rules
This isn’t the first time the Grammys have faced scrutiny over their Best New Artist selection. The category has evolved over time, with rules shifting to accommodate artists who might not fit the traditional “new” mold. One notable change came in 2010, when Lady Gaga was excluded from the category despite massive commercial success. Her exclusion led to a rule change allowing artists to be nominated for Best New Artist even if they had previously been nominated for other Grammys. The rule also adjusted to allow artists who had released albums but hadn’t yet achieved widespread recognition.
Other examples from Grammy history show that artists who were considered established at the time of their nominations have still been recognized. For instance, Green Day was nominated for Best New Artist in 1995, five years after their debut album was released. Similarly, Petula Clark and Marvin Hamlisch were nominated years after their careers had begun.
Criteria and Flexibility in Eligibility
The Grammys’ current criteria are less rigid than one might think. The official rulebook states that an artist must have “achieved a breakthrough into the public consciousness and notably impacted the musical landscape” within the eligibility year. This flexibility allows for artists who might not necessarily be “new” in terms of album releases but who have recently achieved notable prominence or influence in the music industry.
The Academy also bars artists who have achieved “prominence” in other groups or as solo artists prior to their nomination. However, it allows for artists who have gained recognition in other fields — from acting to politics to sports — to be eligible for Best New Artist.
The Changing Landscape of Music
While the definition of “new” may be more fluid than ever, Sabrina Carpenter’s Best New Artist nomination highlights the shifting nature of the music industry itself. The rise of social media, streaming platforms, and rapidly changing tastes has made it possible for artists to reach mainstream recognition later in their careers. For Carpenter, her recent surge in popularity, including her viral moments and cross-industry presence, has made her a prominent figure in the public consciousness, even though she’s been releasing music since 2015.
As Mason concluded, “I trust our committees that do that work, and I trust the voters to vote for the right people and I’m really pleased with the outcome.”
Sabrina Carpenter’s nomination, despite her long career, proves that the definition of “new” is not as clear-cut as it once seemed — and that breakthrough moments can happen at any stage in an artist’s career.
