{"id":132804,"date":"2025-09-04T17:53:30","date_gmt":"2025-09-04T17:53:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/132804\/"},"modified":"2025-09-04T17:53:30","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T17:53:30","slug":"heres-who-has-won-best-new-artist-at-the-vmas-for-the-last-40-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/132804\/","title":{"rendered":"Here’s Who Has Won Best New Artist At The VMAs For The Last 40 Years"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

\"Musician<\/p>\n

Noam Galai \/ Getty Images for MTV<\/p>\n

From Madonna to Taylor Swift<\/a>, 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:<\/p>\n

Sonia Moskowitz \/ Getty Images, Frederick M. Brown \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

1.1984: Eurythmics for “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)”<\/p>\n

\"Two<\/p>\n

Paul Natkin \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0Cyndi Lauper<\/a>, Madonna, and Wang Chung<\/p>\n

2.1985: ‘Til Tuesday for “Voices Carry”<\/p>\n

\"Musician<\/p>\n

Gary Gershoff \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Julian Lennon, Sade, and Sheila E.<\/p>\n

3.1986: A-ha for “Take On Me”<\/p>\n

\"Three<\/p>\n

FG\/Bauer-Griffin \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0The Hooters, Whitney Houston<\/a>, Pet Shop Boys, and Simply Red<\/p>\n

4.1987: Crowded House for “Don’t Dream It’s Over”<\/p>\n

\"Musician<\/p>\n

BSR Entertainment \/ Gentle Look \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0Robert Cray, The Georgia Satellites, Bruce Hornsby, Timbuk3<\/p>\n

5.1988: Guns N’ Roses for “Welcome to the Jungle”<\/p>\n

\"Musicians<\/p>\n

Larry Marano \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0The Godfathers, Buster Poindexter, Swing Out Sister, and Jody Watley<\/p>\n

6.1989: Living Colour for “Cult<\/a> of Personality”<\/p>\n

\"Three<\/p>\n

Paul Natkin \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0Paula Abdul<\/a>, Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, and Neneh Cherry<\/p>\n

7.1990: Michael Penn for “No Myth”<\/p>\n

\"Musician<\/p>\n

MediaPunch \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0Bell Biv DeVoe, The Black Crowes, Jane Child, Lenny Kravitz, Alannah Myles, and Lisa Stansfield<\/p>\n

8.1991: Jesus Jones for “Right Here, Right Now”<\/p>\n

\"Five<\/p>\n

MediaPunch \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0C+C Music Factory, Deee-Lite, Gerardo, and Seal<\/p>\n

9.1992: Nirvana for “Smells Like Teen Spirit”<\/p>\n

\"Three<\/p>\n

Kevin Mazur \/ WireImage \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0Tori Amos, Arrested Development, and Cracker<\/p>\n

10.1993: Stone Temple Pilots for “Plush”<\/p>\n

\"Two<\/p>\n

Tim Mosenfelder \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0Tasmin Archer, Belly, and Porno for Pyros<\/p>\n

11.1994: Counting Crows for “Mr. Jones”<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Ian Dickson \/ Redferns \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0Beck, Bj\u00f6rk, Green Day, Lisa Loeb and Nine Stories, and Me’Shell Ndeg\u00e9Ocello<\/p>\n

12.1995: Hootie & the Blowfish for “Hold My Hand”<\/p>\n

\"Four<\/p>\n

Ron Galella \/ Ron Galella Collection \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0Jeff Buckley, Des’ree, Filter, and Portishead<\/p>\n

13.1996: Alanis Morissette for “Ironic”<\/p>\n

\"Singer<\/p>\n

Gie Knaeps \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0Tracy Bonham, Garbage, and Jewel<\/p>\n

14.1997: Fiona Apple for “Sleep to Dream”<\/p>\n

\"Singer<\/p>\n

L. Busacca \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0Meredith Brooks, Hanson, Jamiroquai, and The Wallflowers<\/p>\n

15.1998: Natalie Imbruglia for “Torn”<\/p>\n

\"Person<\/p>\n

Ron Galella \/ Ron Galella Collection \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, Chumbawamba, Fastball, and Mase<\/p>\n

16.1999: Eminem for “My Name Is”<\/p>\n

\"Person<\/p>\n

Ron Galella \/ Ron Galella Collection \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0Kid Rock, Jennifer Lopez, and Orgy<\/p>\n

17.2000: Macy Gray for “I Try”<\/p>\n

\"Musician<\/p>\n

George De Sota \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0Christina Aguilera, Papa Roach, Pink, and Sisq\u00f3<\/p>\n

18.2001: Alicia Keys for “Fallin”<\/p>\n

\"Person<\/p>\n

RJ Capak \/ WireImage \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0Coldplay, Nikka Costa, David Gray, and Sum 41<\/p>\n

19.2002: Avril Lavigne for “Complicated”<\/p>\n

\"Singer<\/p>\n

DON EMMERT \/ AFP \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0Ashani, B2K, John Mayer, and Puddle of Mudd<\/p>\n

20.2003: 50 Cent for “In da Club”<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

KMazur \/ WireImage \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0The All-American Rejects, Kelly Clarkson, Evanescence, Sean Paul, and Simple Plan<\/p>\n

21.2004: Maroon 5 for “This Love”<\/p>\n

\"Musician<\/p>\n

Kevin Winter \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0The Darkness, Jet, JoJo, Kanye West, and Yellowcard<\/p>\n

22.2005: The Killers for “Mr. Brightside”<\/p>\n

\"Four<\/p>\n

Alexander Tamargo \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0Ciara, The Game, John Legend, and My Chemical Romance<\/p>\n

23.2006: Avenged Sevenfold for “Bat Country”<\/p>\n

\"Five<\/p>\n

Brian ZAK \/ Gamma-Rapho \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0Angels & Airwaves, James Blunt, Chris Brown, Panic! and the Disco, and Rihanna<\/p>\n

24.2007: Gym Class Heroes<\/p>\n

\"Four<\/p>\n

Steve Granitz \/ WireImage \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0Lily Allen, Peter Bjorn and John, Carrie Underwood, and Amy Winehouse<\/p>\n

This year, the award wasn’t given for a new artist’s new song.<\/p>\n

25.2008: Tokio Hotel for “Ready, Set, Go!”<\/p>\n

\"Four<\/p>\n

Jon Kopaloff \/ FilmMagic \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, Jordin Sparks, and Taylor Swift<\/p>\n

26.2009: Lady Gaga for “Poker Face”<\/p>\n

\"Musician<\/p>\n

Michael Loccisano \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a03OH!3, Drake, Kid Cudi, and Asher Roth<\/p>\n

27.2010: Justin Bieber for “Baby”<\/p>\n

\"Person<\/p>\n

Jon Kopaloff \/ FilmMagic \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0Broken Bells, Jason Derulo, Kesha, and Nicki Minaj<\/p>\n

28.2011: Tyler, the Creator for “Yonkers”<\/p>\n

\"Person<\/p>\n

Jason Merritt \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0Big Sean, Foster the People, Kreayshawn, and Wiz Khalifa<\/p>\n

29.2012: One Direction for “What Makes You Beautiful”<\/p>\n

\"Group<\/p>\n

Frederick M. Brown \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0fun., Carly Rae Jepsen, Frank Ocean, and The Wanted<\/p>\n

30.2013: Austin Mahone for “What About Love”<\/p>\n

\"Person<\/p>\n

Jamie McCarthy \/ Getty Images for MTV<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0Iggy Azalea, Twenty One Pilots, The Weeknd, and Zedd<\/p>\n

31.2014: Fifth Harmony for “Miss Movin’ On”<\/p>\n

\"Group<\/p>\n

FREDERIC J BROWN \/ AFP \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a05 Seconds of Summer, Charli XCX, Schoolboy Q, and Sam Smith<\/p>\n

32.2015: Fetty Wap for “Trap Queen”<\/p>\n

\"Musician<\/p>\n

Kevin Winter \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0James Bay, George Ezra, FKA Twigs, and Vance Joy<\/p>\n

33.2016: DNCE<\/p>\n

\"Four<\/p>\n

Dimitrios Kambouris \/ WireImage \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0Desiigner, Zara Larsson, Lukas Graham, and Bryson Tiller<\/p>\n

From here until present day, the award wasn’t given for a specific song<\/p>\n

34.2017: Khalid<\/p>\n

\"Person<\/p>\n

David Crotty \/ Patrick McMullan \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0Noah Cyrus, Kodak Black, Julia Michaels, SZA, and Young M.A<\/p>\n

35.2018: Cardi B<\/p>\n

\"Person<\/p>\n

Kevin Mazur \/ WireImage \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0Bazzi, Chloe x Halle, Hayley Kiyoko, Lil Pump, and Lil Uzi Vert<\/p>\n

36.2019: Billie Eilish<\/p>\n

\"Singer<\/p>\n

Tim Mosenfelder \/ FilmMagic \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0Ava Max, H.E.R., Lil Nas X, Lizzo, and Rosal\u00eda<\/p>\n

37.2020: Doja Cat<\/p>\n

\"Person<\/p>\n

Frazer Harrison \/ Getty Images for RCA<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0Lewis Capaldi, Yungblud, Jack Harlow, Roddy Ricch, and Tate McRae<\/p>\n

38.2021: Olivia Rodrigo<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Kevin Mazur \/ MTV VMAs 2021 \/ Getty Images for MTV \/ ViacomCBS<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0The Kid Laroi, 24kGoldn, Giveon, Polo G, and Saweetie<\/p>\n

39.2022: Dove Cameron<\/p>\n

\"Person<\/p>\n

Jamie McCarthy \/ Getty Images for MTV \/ Paramount Global<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0M\u00e5neskin, Seventeen, Baby Keem, Gayle, and Latto<\/p>\n

40.2023: Ice Spice<\/p>\n

\"Person<\/p>\n

Taylor Hill \/ FilmMagic \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0Peso Pluma, Rene\u00e9 Rapp, GloRilla, Kaliii, and PinkPantheress<\/p>\n

41.2024: Chappell Roan<\/p>\n

\"Person<\/p>\n

John Shearer \/ Getty Images for MTV<\/p>\n

Other nominees:\u00a0Gracie Abrams, Tyla, Benson Boone, Shaboozey, and Teddy Swims<\/p>\n

And here are the nominees for Best New Artist at the 2025 VMAs:<\/p>\n

Alex Warren<\/p>\n

Ella Langley<\/p>\n

Gigi Perez<\/p>\n

Lola Young<\/p>\n

Sombr<\/p>\n

The Mar\u00edas<\/p>\n

Which artist won Best New Artist at the VMAs the year that you were born? Share in the comments below!<\/p>\n

The 2025 VMAs air on Sept. 7 at 8 p.m. ET on MTV, CBS, and Paramount+.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Since the first MTV Video Music Awards in 1984, an award for Best New Artist has been given…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":132805,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[53],"tags":[88,2934,216,83758],"class_list":["post-132804","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-music","tag-entertainment","tag-getty-images","tag-music","tag-paul-natkin"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/132804","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=132804"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/132804\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/132805"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=132804"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=132804"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=132804"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}