As much fun as it was to see music’s biggest names get honored at the 2023 Grammy Awards on Feb. 5, it was also a highlight to cheer for all the artists who picked up their very first wins this year.
The 2023 freshman class was packed with rising talent who are just getting started on their music careers but they’re not all lesser-known names. One of the biggest Grammys categories is, of course, best new artist, where the Recording Academy recognizes the brightest up-and-coming stars. This year, Anitta, Omar Apollo, Domi & JD Beck, Samara Joy, Latto, Maneskin, Muni Long, Tobe Nwigwe, Molly Tuttle, and Wet Leg were all nominated, but Joy took home the win at the end of the night (and delivered a gracious acceptance speech for the honor).
Other Grammys categories had a high number of first-timers, too. The best rock album category, for instance, featured the first career Grammy nominations for Machine Gun Kelly (who was also one of the stars to announce the nods on Nov. 15), Spoon, and Idles. Rock act Turnstile also picked up multiple nominations in the rock genre categories (best rock song and best metal performance for “Blackout,” and best rock performance for “Holiday”). In the rap category, GloRilla snagged a first-time nod in best rap performance for “F.N.F. (Let’s Go)” with Hitkidd, though Kendrick Lamar’s “The Heart Part 5” earned the trophy.
As usual, the best musical theater album category featured some fantastic Grammy newcomers, including Tony-winning songwriters and performers such as Michael R. Jackson, Lucy Moss and Toby Barlow, and Myles Frost. Even one of the night’s biggest prizes of all had a first-time nominee: Gayle for single”ABCDEFU,” which joined hits by Taylor Swift, Lizzo, Adele, Harry Styles, Kendrick Lamar, Beyoncé, and other music A-listers in the song of the year category.
Though it was the first time we saw these artists snag Grammy nominations and wins, we have a pretty good feeling it won’t be the last! Ahead, see all the first-time winners from the 2023 Grammy Awards.