The slate of performers ultimately evening’s (February 1) 2026 Grammy Awards was a giant one. Bruno Mars was one of many night’s highlights, however so too was each Finest New Artist nominee, as all of them carried out throughout a particular part of the printed.
It began with The Marias performing “No person New” (right here’s a video), then Addison Rae danced her approach via “Fame Is A Gun” (video). Katseye bought some dancing in, too, with “Gnarly” (video), then it was Leon Thomas’ flip to do his breakout hit “Mutt” (video). Alex Warren then busted out “Extraordinary” (video) earlier than Lola Younger took over with “Messy” (video). The set concluded with Olivia Dean singing “Man I Want” (video) and Sombr closing with “12 To 12” (video).
As for who truly received the award, the consideration went to Dean, whose 2025 sophomore album The Artwork Of Loving was her first No. 1 hit within the UK and her first to hit the Billboard 200 chart (at No. 3, no much less) within the US. The album’s “Man I Want,” in the meantime, managed at peak at No. 2 on the Scorching 100. Throughout her acceptance speech, she alluded to present tensions in America by saying“I’m up right here as a granddaughter of an immigrant. I’m a product of bravery and I feel these folks should be celebrated. We’re nothing with out one another.”
Dean continues a streak of feminine Finest New Artist winners that dates all the best way again to 2016. She follows Chappell Roan, Victoria Monét, Samara Pleasure, Olivia Rodrigo, Megan Thee Stallion, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, and Alessia Cara.