Here Are the 3 VMAs Best New Artist Finalists — and the 3 Who Didn’t Make the Cut
Written by djfrosty on September 11, 2024
And then there were three. On Wednesday (Sept. 11), MTV announced the three finalists for best new artist: Chappell Roan, Gracie Abrams and Tyla.
That means the road ends here for the other three previously announced candidates for the award: Benson Boone, Shaboozey and Teddy Swims.
Abrams is the only one of these six artists who has not had a top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Abrams’ highest charting hit, “Us” (featuring Taylor Swift), reached No. 36. Abrams was the opening act for numerous dates on Swift’s Eras Tour in the U.S. and Canada. She co-wrote “Us” with Swift and Aaron Dessner, and co-produced it with those two musicians and also Jack Antonoff.
Ironically, the three artists who did not advance to the final round had the highest charting Hot 100 hits of these six performers. Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” is currently in its ninth week at No. 1. Swims’ “Lose Control” hit No. 1 in March, while Boone’s “Beautiful Things” reached No. 2 in March.
Roan’s “Good Luck, Babe!” climbed as high as No. 6 in August. Tyla’s “Water reached No. 7 in January.
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Looking for clues about the upcoming Grammy race for best new artist? Of the three VMA finalists for best new artist, Roan is the only one who will be eligible in the upcoming Grammy contest. Abrams was nominated for best new artist at the Grammys in February. Tyla won a Grammy in February in another category, best African music performance, which makes her ineligible.
The 2024 VMAs will air live on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET/PT across MTV’s global footprint, including BET, BET Her, CMT, Comedy Central, Logo, MTV, MTV2, Nick at Nite, Paramount Network, Pop, TV Land, VH1 and Univision.
Voting for best new artist will continue at vote.mtv.com into the show and, for the first time by an awards show, via WhatsApp through QR code or direct link found on the website.
Hosted by Nessa, Dometi Pongo and Kevan Kenney, the 90-minute live VMAs pre-show special airs from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on MTV, MTV2, CMT and Logo.
Bruce Gillmer and Den of Thieves co-founder Jesse Ignjatovic are executive producers. Barb Bialkowski is co-executive producer. Alicia Portugal and Jackie Barba are executives in charge of production. Wendy Plaut is executive in charge of celebrity talent. Lisa Lauricella is music talent executive.
Here are the VMA best new artist finalists.
- Chappell Roan – Island
- Gracie Abrams – Interscope Records
- Tyla – Epic Records