The interesting thing is this is the most "bogus" award of all. The grammys have actually changed over the years. One of the bogus things was back in 1986, disqualified, was Whitney Houston, reason, she had a duet with Teddy Pendergrass called "Hold Me" on his album the year earlier, which at the time was a violation of the rules. HOWEVER the year before , Cyndi Lauper won Best New Artist, despite having been signed already with her group "Blue Angel" and though Blue Angel were not charting, this at the time was a CLEAR violation of the rule. Another year this BOGUS bullshit was pulled was in 1987. Richard Marx was disqualified for a song that he did on the "Nothing In Common" soundtrack a year earlier, also disqualified were Expose for the reason that the album "exposure" was recorded with other members a year prior and then re-worked with the famous lineup that had the success, so they were cut, HOWEVER, Jody Watley won, and yet was featured as a member of Shalamar. And though this rule has now been changed, back then you could NOT be a member of a group and then go solo and be nominated, hence, Paul McCartney not being nominated or Ringo Starr etc...

Most years it's spot on; the artist goes on to have futher success. Some years it is not so spot on.

Paula Cole
Arrested Development
Mark Cohen
Milli Vanilli
A Taste of Honey
Starland Vocal Band

The interesting thing is this is the most "bogus" award of all. The grammys have actually changed over the years. One of the bogus things was back in 1986, disqualified, was Whitney Houston, reason, she had a duet with Teddy Pendergrass called "Hold Me" on his album the year earlier, which at the time was a violation of the rules. HOWEVER the year before , Cyndi Lauper won Best New Artist, despite having been signed already with her group "Blue Angel" and though Blue Angel were not charting, this at the time was a CLEAR violation of the rule. Another year this BOGUS bullshit was pulled was in 1987. Richard Marx was disqualified for a song that he did on the "Nothing In Common" soundtrack a year earlier, also disqualified were Expose for the reason that the album "exposure" was recorded with other members a year prior and then re-worked with the famous lineup that had the success, so they were cut, HOWEVER, Jody Watley won, and yet was featured as a member of Shalamar. And though this rule has now been changed, back then you could NOT be a member of a group and then go solo and be nominated, hence, Paul McCartney not being nominated or Ringo Starr etc...

lastdecember said:

There always seem to be some discrepencies in this category. I guess we're not suppose to remember. That's why I was surprised at Winehouse getting the nod when it was her second release (unless as I mentioned earlier it was due to it not being a U.S. debut). Do they even have rules for where the debut is released?

NDRU said:

I don't think Prince's first album is anything noteworthy. It's pleasant enough, but to be singled out for a best new artist award is undeserving to me.

JackieBlue said:

thats another thing they keep altering for the sake of ratings. If you actually have released an album or in some cases multiple albums, if those got no notice, or were indie, etc... you still can be nominated, which is utter bullshit plain and simple. The overseas thing is tricky, simply because we all know that imports are all over the place and now with the net being the way to get music, isnt everything a WIDE release of some sort.

People often criticize A Taste of Honey winning the award in 1979,but I think they deserved it Two funky females who play guitar,and their debut album showed alot of promise.

SoulAlive said:

I think so many of the winners show promise, but they have a habit of fading away. Christopher Cross had a bunch of huge hits, but just disappeared.

So at the time A Taste of Honey probably made sense, but 30 years later, Elvis Costello is a living legend.

Glancing at the list, IMO it looks like the '80s had the most worthy choices, the '70s had the most clear-cut winners (or should've been winners), and there are a few years where I wouldn't have wanted to give it to anyone nominated (2000 and 2004 for starters). There are also only a couple of choices I agreed with each decade.

AlexdeParis said:

2001 and 2009 for starters on skipping the award.
Led Zeppelin DIDN'T win in 1970?!!!!!
Turns out in 1975 they could've given it to Phoebe Snow.
1992 looks hilarious now, both winner and nominees who lost.

SUPRMAN said:

I would've given 2001's award to Jill Scott in a heartbeat. Led Zeppelin probably deserved it in 1970, but I wouldn't have had a problem with Chicago winning either. 1992 is certainly interesting. Boyz II Men hadn't had their big breakthrough ("End of the Road") yet. I probably would've gone with Seal. "Crazy" certainly trumps "Walking in Memphis" IMO.

SoulAlive said:

I think so many of the winners show promise, but they have a habit of fading away. Christopher Cross had a bunch of huge hits, but just disappeared.

So at the time A Taste of Honey probably made sense, but 30 years later, Elvis Costello is a living legend.

SUPRMAN said:

I would've given 2001's award to Jill Scott in a heartbeat. Led Zeppelin probably deserved it in 1970, but I wouldn't have had a problem with Chicago winning either. 1992 is certainly interesting. Boyz II Men hadn't had their big breakthrough ("End of the Road") yet. I probably would've gone with Seal. "Crazy" certainly trumps "Walking in Memphis" IMO.

2007 Carrie Underwood James Blunt, Chris Brown, Imogen Heap, Corinne Bailey Rae

Corinne should've won

Alej said:

I disagree. Carrie was the "best" of that year. She is finer than any of the above mentioned. Corinne doesn't have an ass like Carrie.
Carrie also is a better singer than any of the mentioned. Corinne's album was really good, but Carrie was and is a great singer.

I'm just insulted James Blunt was even nominated. That's just wrong on every level!

I'm just insulted James Blunt was even nominated. That's just wrong on every level!

1980 Rickie Lee Jones The Blues Brothers, Dire Straits, The Knack, Robin Williams

2008 Ledisi
2007 Corinne Bailey Rae
2002 India.Arie
2001 Jill Scott
2000 Macy Gray

1999 Andrea Bocelli
1998 Erykah Badu
1997 Jewel, No Doubt
1996 Brandy
1994 Toni Braxton Digable Planets, SWV
1993 Arrested Development Jon Secada
1992 C+C Music Factory, Seal
1991 Mariah Carey The Black Crowes, Lisa Stansfield
1990 Soul II Soul, Tone Lōc

1989 Take 6, Vanessa L. Williams
1988 Jody Watley
1987 Simply Red
1986 Sade Freddie Jackson
1985 Cyndi Lauper Sheila E.
1983 Jennifer Holliday
1982 Sheena Easton James Ingram, Luther Vandross
1981 Christopher Cross Irene Cara, Robbie Dupree
1980 Rickie Lee Jones

1979 A Taste of Honey Chris Rea, Toto
1978 Stephen Bishop, Andy Gibb
1977 Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band, The Brothers Johnson, Wild Cherry
1976 Natalie Cole Brecker Brothers
1975 Johnny Bristol, Graham Central Station, Phoebe Snow
1974 Eumir Deodato, Barry White
1973 The Eagles
1972 Carly Simon Bill Withers
1971 The Carpenters Elton John, Melba Moore
1970 Chicago