Grammy Awards 2012: Who Will Win Best New Artist?

Robbie Daw | February 7, 2012 10:41 am

After we took a stab at predicting the Grammy winners in the Pop and Dance categories yesterday, we’re now ready to hold our magnifying glass up the list of Best New Artist nominees. Last year, the jazzy Esperanza Spalding pulled an upset by besting more well-known names such as Drake, Justin Bieber and Florence + The Machine for the win. (Personally, we thought Drizzy had it in the bag.) So what newbie will take home Grammy gold in 2012? See our pick — and then have your say by voting — below! First, the nominees:

BEST NEW ARTIST The Band Perry Bon Iver J. Cole Nicki Minaj Skrillex

THOUGHTS ON THE NOMINEES: It’s quite an eclectic mix this year, with artists from several genres present: the Band Perry ticks the country box; Bon Iver has the indie cred; J. Cole and Nicki Minaj are representing for hip hop (and, we’d argue, Nicki has pop covered, as well); Skrillex is the dance name to watch in 2012.

Yesterday we predicted that Skrillex would clean up in the dance categories (as long as the Grammy insiders’ kids inform them who he is), so he may be shut out for Best New Artist. Another name likely not at the top of the heap: Bon Iver, since, it turns out, frontman Justin Vernon made some disparaging remarks about the annual awards show before he was nominated. Oops!

Bon Iver is also up for Song Of The Year, so voters could opt for them in this category if they’re going to vote for them at all — or they might just completely skip over the band.

In the end, it could come down to being a country vs. rap showdown.

WILL WIN: Nicki Minaj has had the biggest crossover in the past two years. (Tirelessly contributing featured raps to songs by just about every artist out there helped.) She’s charming, ever-present and, if her wins at the American Music Awards are any indicator, the one to beat for Best New Artist.

SHOULD WIN: We say Nicki deserves it. She knows how to be a commanding music force and, as she’s a star still on the rise, just when to take a backseat (see both her opening slot on Britney Spears’ Femme Fatale Tour and cheer-leading for Madonna in “Give Me All Your Luvin'”).

Now vote for who you think will win:

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What are your thoughts on this year’s Best New Artist Grammy nominees? Let us know below!

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