Every year, several up-and-coming music artists are nominated for the MTV Video Music Awards‘ Best New Artist award. While there can only be one winner, every rising star deserves the recognition! For the 2024 VMAs, the following artists were nominated: Benson Boone, Chappell Roan, Gracie Abrams, Shaboozey, Teddy Swims and Tyla.
The winner of the Best New Artist award went to Chappell, 26.
While accepting her award, Chappell dedicated her win to “all the drag artists who inspire [her],” and nodded to “all the queer, trans people who inspire pop.”
Chappell Roan reads from her journal during her #VMAs acceptance speech. pic.twitter.com/Dd6tv5re7X
— Variety (@Variety) September 12, 2024
“For all the queer kids in the Midwest watching right now — I see you I understand you because I am one of you,” she continued. “And don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t be exactly who you want.”
All of the Best New Artist nominees had a productive year. Tyla, 22, won the VMA for Afrobeats this year for her song “Water.”
“African music can be pop music too,” Tyla pointed out after accepting the award. “This is just so special but also bittersweet because I know there’s a tendency to group all African artists under afrobeats. … African music is so diverse, it’s more than just Afrobeats.”
