With the Grammys airing tonight, February 1, many fans are probably reminiscing on years and decades past, and wondering whether some of their favorite artist have received one of the coveted gramophone-shaped trophies. Here are 10 artists who have never been selected for the prize, despite having major hits and success.
Sia
Sia burst into the mainstream consciousness with “Titanium,” which she collaborate on with David Guetta in 2011, and took her career to new heights with the popularity of her 2014 album “1000 Forms of Fear” and its huge hit, “Chandelier,” which peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. Sia and “Dance Moms” star Maddie Ziegler, who star power was skyrocketing at the time, created an unforgettable cultural moment with their performances together at the 2015 Grammys and several talk show, as well as “SNL.” Between 2013 and 2018, she was nominated for a Grammy 9 times.
Blake Shelton
Former “The Voice” coach Blake Shelton is a top country music star who has been an ever-present force in the genre for over 25 years. He has his first big hit with 2001’s “Austin,” which sailed to the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart. The most recent of his 8 Grammy nominations was for his 2020 hit “God’s Country.”
Diana Ross
“The Supremes” member and solo superstar Diana Ross has never received a Grammy for one of the competitive, voted-on awards, but that doesn’t mean she has gone totally unrecognized by the Recording Academy. In 2012, she was selected for a Lifetime Achievement award, an honor which has also been given to Iggy Pop, Black Sabbath, and Sly Stone, among others.
Nicki Minaj
GettyIt’s hard to believe Nicki Minaj has never won a Grammy, considering the way she single-handedly resurrected the genre of female rap in the mainstream pop culture, and dominated the entire 2010s with her hits. After being a standout in Young Money, she became a solo superstar. She’s been nominated for 12 times.
Katy Perry
Katy Perry was a huge force in pop music beginning with the breakout success she found with her 2008 album “One of the Boys.” The single “Hot n Cold” created a feverish hype over the former Christian contemporary artist.
Perry was nominated 13 times between 2009 and 2015, and took the Grammy stage to perform several times over the years.
Bob Marley
GettyBob Marley never won a Grammy before dying too soon of malignant melanoma in 1981 at just 36 years old. However, he was posthumously honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001, and his musical legacy is being carried forward by his grandson YG Marley, who went massively viral on social media with his 2023 hit song “Praise Jah in the Moonlight.”
Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey hasn’t lost a bit of relevance since gaining mainstream recognition between 2011-2012 with her hits “Video Games” and “Summertime Sadness,” among others. Despite her enduring popularity and musical excellence, she has never won a Grammy. She’s been nominated 11 times.
Snoop Dogg
Snoop is one of the most recognizable hip-hop stars of our time, making it surprising that he’s never won a Grammy. He dominated West Coast rap in the mid-90s before becoming a pop culture phenomenon known for his coaching role on “The Voice” and his friendship with Martha Stewart. He has received 16 nominations
Jimi Hendrix
GettyJimi Hendrix is another artist who has received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys, but never a voted-on trophy. He was only nominated one time, for his instrumental performance of “The Star Spangled Banner.” Hendrix died at just 27, cutting short his chances for future Grammy recognition.
The Notorious B.I.G.
GettyBiggie is another artist who tragically died too young before getting a Grammy. He was shot at just 24 years old in an endlessly speculated on Los Angeles drive-by, leaving behind a 3-year-old daughter and newborn son.
