Since the first MTV Video Music Awards in 1984, an award for Best New Artist has been given out to artists who have burst onto the scene and changed music in that given year. While the award started as recognition for a single song, it has since changed to recognize the artist’s full body of work in that year.

Musician performing on stage in shiny armor-inspired outfit, energetically singing with a dramatic backdrop and dancers holding swords

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From Madonna to Taylor Swift, many now-iconic artists have been nominated for this award and/or won it, with many in the music industry seeing it as a precursor to the Grammy Award for Best New Artist. So, here are 41 of the MTV VMAs’ Best New Artists from 1984 to now:

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1.1984: Eurythmics for “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)”

Two musicians perform energetically on stage, dressed in flamboyant, theatrical outfits, with one playing a guitar

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Other nominees: Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, and Wang Chung

2.1985: ‘Til Tuesday for “Voices Carry”

Musician passionately singing and playing guitar on stage, with spiked hair, wearing a dark shirt, captured in a dynamic performance moment

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Other nominees: Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Julian Lennon, Sade, and Sheila E.

3.1986: A-ha for “Take On Me”

Three musicians perform on stage; one plays a guitar, another sings into a microphone, and the third plays a keytar

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Other nominees: The Hooters, Whitney Houston, Pet Shop Boys, and Simply Red

4.1987: Crowded House for “Don’t Dream It’s Over”

Musician on stage playing guitar and singing, wearing a patterned jacket, with drummer visible in the background under stage lights

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Other nominees: Robert Cray, The Georgia Satellites, Bruce Hornsby, Timbuk3

5.1988: Guns N’ Roses for “Welcome to the Jungle”

Musicians performing energetically on stage; one with a guitar, another singing passionately, both dressed in rock-style outfits with leather accents

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Other nominees: The Godfathers, Buster Poindexter, Swing Out Sister, and Jody Watley

6.1989: Living Colour for “Cult of Personality”

Three musicians stand on stage, holding guitars and smiling, wearing vibrant, form-fitting outfits during a live performance

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Other nominees: Paula Abdul, Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, and Neneh Cherry

7.1990: Michael Penn for “No Myth”

Musician in a vintage-style suit with a button-up shirt and lapel pins, standing at a music event

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Other nominees: Bell Biv DeVoe, The Black Crowes, Jane Child, Lenny Kravitz, Alannah Myles, and Lisa Stansfield

8.1991: Jesus Jones for “Right Here, Right Now”

Five musicians at a 1991 music awards event, wearing eclectic outfits, one holding a trophy, standing against an MTV backdrop

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Other nominees: C+C Music Factory, Deee-Lite, Gerardo, and Seal

9.1992: Nirvana for “Smells Like Teen Spirit”

Three musicians pose playfully outside a trailer. One wears a patterned shirt and ripped jeans, another in a dark top, and the third in purple pants

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Other nominees: Tori Amos, Arrested Development, and Cracker

10.1993: Stone Temple Pilots for “Plush”

Two musicians energetically perform on stage; the singer wears sunglasses and a striped shirt, while the guitarist has curly hair and plays intensely

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Other nominees: Tasmin Archer, Belly, and Porno for Pyros

11.1994: Counting Crows for “Mr. Jones”

A person with dreadlocks sings emotionally into a microphone on stage, wearing a graphic T-shirt and jeans

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Other nominees: Beck, Björk, Green Day, Lisa Loeb and Nine Stories, and Me’Shell NdegéOcello

12.1995: Hootie & the Blowfish for “Hold My Hand”

Four people at the MTV Video Music Awards. One holds a trophy. They wear casual shirts and jeans, posing in front of a branded backdrop

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Other nominees: Jeff Buckley, Des’ree, Filter, and Portishead

13.1996: Alanis Morissette for “Ironic”

Singer performing on stage, holding a microphone, wearing a long-sleeved outfit

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Other nominees: Tracy Bonham, Garbage, and Jewel

14.1997: Fiona Apple for “Sleep to Dream”

Singer holding an award, wearing a sleeveless, textured outfit at a music event. The backdrop features logos and text related to the 1997 awards

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Other nominees: Meredith Brooks, Hanson, Jamiroquai, and The Wallflowers

15.1998: Natalie Imbruglia for “Torn”

Person holding a music award trophy, wearing a fringed shawl over a black dress, smiling at an event

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Other nominees: Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, Chumbawamba, Fastball, and Mase

16.1999: Eminem for “My Name Is”

Person holding an MTV Video Music Award trophy and making a hand gesture, wearing a casual black shirt over a white undershirt

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Other nominees: Kid Rock, Jennifer Lopez, and Orgy

17.2000: Macy Gray for “I Try”

Musician in vibrant, patterned outfit smiles holding an award, making a peace sign

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Other nominees: Christina Aguilera, Papa Roach, Pink, and Sisqó

18.2001: Alicia Keys for “Fallin”

Person holding an award at a music event, wearing a stylish outfit with a fur-trimmed jacket and braided hairstyle

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Other nominees: Coldplay, Nikka Costa, David Gray, and Sum 41

19.2002: Avril Lavigne for “Complicated”

Singer holding a Moonman trophy, wearing a tie, tank top, and studded bracelets, expressing excitement at an awards event

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Other nominees: Ashani, B2K, John Mayer, and Puddle of Mudd

20.2003: 50 Cent for “In da Club”

A performer on stage in a white tank top and pants, adorned with multiple silver chains, a hat, and holding a microphone

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Other nominees: The All-American Rejects, Kelly Clarkson, Evanescence, Sean Paul, and Simple Plan

21.2004: Maroon 5 for “This Love”

Musician performing on stage, wearing a casual jacket over a T-shirt, holding a microphone, with a band playing in the background

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Other nominees: The Darkness, Jet, JoJo, Kanye West, and Yellowcard

22.2005: The Killers for “Mr. Brightside”

Four men at a music awards event, with two holding trophies; one in a tuxedo, others in varied suits

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Other nominees: Ciara, The Game, John Legend, and My Chemical Romance

23.2006: Avenged Sevenfold for “Bat Country”

Five men with tattoos and black outfits pose together, one holding a music award trophy, at a music event

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Other nominees: Angels & Airwaves, James Blunt, Chris Brown, Panic! and the Disco, and Rihanna

24.2007: Gym Class Heroes

Four men celebrate at the MTV Video Music Awards, holding a trophy and wearing casual and white suits in front of a branded backdrop

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Other nominees: Lily Allen, Peter Bjorn and John, Carrie Underwood, and Amy Winehouse

This year, the award wasn’t given for a new artist’s new song.

25.2008: Tokio Hotel for “Ready, Set, Go!”

Four people hold a music award trophy at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards. They wear casual and edgy outfits, featuring graphic prints and accessories

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Other nominees: Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, Jordin Sparks, and Taylor Swift

26.2009: Lady Gaga for “Poker Face”

Musician in avant-garde dress holding a music award at an event, with bold makeup and curly hair

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Other nominees: 3OH!3, Drake, Kid Cudi, and Asher Roth

27.2010: Justin Bieber for “Baby”

Person holding a trophy at the MTV Video Music Awards, wearing a black outfit with a vest and chains

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Other nominees: Broken Bells, Jason Derulo, Kesha, and Nicki Minaj

28.2011: Tyler, the Creator for “Yonkers”

Person holding an MTV award, wearing a tie-dye shirt and cap, smiling broadly

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Other nominees: Big Sean, Foster the People, Kreayshawn, and Wiz Khalifa

29.2012: One Direction for “What Makes You Beautiful”

Group of five young men posing at a music awards event, holding trophies. They wear casual shirts and blazers, with stylish, modern hairstyles

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Other nominees: fun., Carly Rae Jepsen, Frank Ocean, and The Wanted

30.2013: Austin Mahone for “What About Love”

Person in a black suit holds a music award at an MTV event, smiling and pointing at the trophy in excitement

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Other nominees: Iggy Azalea, Twenty One Pilots, The Weeknd, and Zedd

31.2014: Fifth Harmony for “Miss Movin’ On”

Group of five women from a music group at an awards show. They are holding a trophy and wearing stylish evening dresses

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Other nominees: 5 Seconds of Summer, Charli XCX, Schoolboy Q, and Sam Smith

32.2015: Fetty Wap for “Trap Queen”

Musician holding a microphone on stage, wearing a patterned white shirt and jewelry, with stage lights in the background

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Other nominees: James Bay, George Ezra, FKA Twigs, and Vance Joy

33.2016: DNCE

Four individuals wearing stylish and varied outfits pose at an MTV Video Music Awards event backdrop

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Other nominees: Desiigner, Zara Larsson, Lukas Graham, and Bryson Tiller

From here until present day, the award wasn’t given for a specific song

34.2017: Khalid

Person holding a VMA trophy, wearing a plaid shirt and beige pants, smiling for the cameras at the 2017 Video Music Awards

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Other nominees: Noah Cyrus, Kodak Black, Julia Michaels, SZA, and Young M.A

35.2018: Cardi B

Person in elegant dress holding a music award, speaking and smiling on stage at an event

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Other nominees: Bazzi, Chloe x Halle, Hayley Kiyoko, Lil Pump, and Lil Uzi Vert

36.2019: Billie Eilish

Singer passionately performing on stage, wearing a bold, oversized outfit with graphic and accessorized with a choker necklace

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Other nominees: Ava Max, H.E.R., Lil Nas X, Lizzo, and Rosalía

37.2020: Doja Cat

Person in futuristic dress holds an award on a neon-style stage, smiling at the camera

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Other nominees: Lewis Capaldi, Yungblud, Jack Harlow, Roddy Ricch, and Tate McRae

38.2021: Olivia Rodrigo

A musician in a stylish tiered dress holds a trophy while speaking at an event

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Other nominees: The Kid Laroi, 24kGoldn, Giveon, Polo G, and Saweetie

39.2022: Dove Cameron

Person holding a VMA trophy, wearing a strapless leather top with a floral skirt and choker. They have long braids and are standing in front of a VMA backdrop

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Other nominees: Måneskin, Seventeen, Baby Keem, Gayle, and Latto

40.2023: Ice Spice

Person in lace outfit holds a trophy on a red carpet at a music event. They have curly hair and are wearing silver accessories

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Other nominees: Peso Pluma, Reneé Rapp, GloRilla, Kaliii, and PinkPantheress

41.2024: Chappell Roan

Person in a jeweled bodysuit holding a trophy shaped like an astronaut. They are smiling and on a stage, suggesting a music award event

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Other nominees: Gracie Abrams, Tyla, Benson Boone, Shaboozey, and Teddy Swims

And here are the nominees for Best New Artist at the 2025 VMAs:

Alex Warren

Ella Langley

Gigi Perez

Lola Young

Sombr

The Marías

Which artist won Best New Artist at the VMAs the year that you were born? Share in the comments below!

The 2025 VMAs air on Sept. 7 at 8 p.m. ET on MTV, CBS, and Paramount+.