
Photo credit: Getty for Spotify
For the past seven years, Spotify has played host to an annual celebration of the very best rising stars in the game who've realized their dreams of receiving a coveted and well-earned nomination for Best New Artist.
As a pioneer in music discovery and growth, we've long been committed to supporting emerging artists across all genres and sounds-from Latin and R&B to indie rock and pop-helping them amplify their stories and connect with new fans across the globe. This year's 10 Best New Artist nominees-Anitta, Omar Apollo, DOMi & JD BECK, Muni Long, Samara Joy, Latto, M neskin, Tobe Nwigwe, Molly Tuttle, and Wet Leg-reflect a diverse, genre-spanning group of artists whose singular voices and styles have captivated listeners all over the globe.
And they all gathered last night at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood for some time on the red carpet, a bit of wining and dining, and an unforgettable evening celebrating the nominees' global achievements in music. The evening featured breakthrough live music performances from all of this year's dynamic contenders in the category, along with a special DJ set from CoCo & Breezy and a surprise set from DJ Pee .Wee, aka Anderson .Paak.
You can tune in to the Spotify: For the Record podcast for a special episode from the red carpet of the week's hottest preshow party.
In addition to hosting the event, we released a fresh batch of Spotify Singles from the nominees featuring some newly recorded BNA-themed tracks and re-releases of fan favorites.
Get to know a few of the nominees, and experience their excitement just days before music's biggest night.
Anitta
Anitta is a globally renowned performer from Brazil. In 2013, Anitta, her debut album, topped the Brazilian charts and was certified platinum. In November 2021, she released the single Envolver. The song broke a string of records, including one for most-streamed song in a single day, and it was the first song ever to place inside the Top 50 of all Latin countries on a streaming service.
I want new fans to know that I like to bring my culture and my country into my music and that it's not easy to come from Brazil, Anitta told Spotify: Mic Check on the red carpet. The last time a Brazilian person was nominated for Best New Artist was over 57 years ago. It's like starting over again fresh since the day I decided to sing in another language. I've been through all of this, but in another country. To live all of this again, it's exciting. It's also an exercise of ego-to understand how big the world is and how much time it takes us to reach other places. And through it all, Spotify has been a partner in my career since the beginning.
For her Spotify Singles, Anitta performed a stripped-down version of Ariana Grande's hit thank u, next and an acoustic rendition of her song Veneno. At the party, Anitta performed a sizzling version of her global single, Evolver, as well as Boys Don't Cry.
Omar Apollo
Known for his laid-back retro-soul and R&B sound, Omar first emerged online in 2016. His debut EP, Stereo, appeared in 2018, with his full-length album, Apolonio, arriving in 2020. In 2021, he garnered two Latin Grammy nominations for Record of the Year and Best Alternative Song for Te Olvidaste, his collaboration with Spanish singer C. Tangana. Omar's sophomore full-length, Ivory, arrived in April 2022 and featured guest appearances by Daniel Caesar and Kali Uchis. His sultry set at the BNA party included Evergreen (You Didn't Love Me At All).
Omar re-released stripped-down renditions of his hit song Go Away, which he first recorded for Spotify in August 2021, and of The Mammas & The Papas' California Dreamin. I chose that song because I heard it in Chungking Express by Wong Kar-wai. They played it so many times in the movie that I became obsessed with it. I definitely felt like it was a time machine being at East West [Studios]-it's cool to know the history behind the song when recording my version.
DOMi & JD BECK
DOMi & JD BECK are an instrumental keyboard-and-drum duo known for their hyperactive, future-shock blend of progressive jazz, hip-hop, and R&B. After signing to Anderson .Paak s Apeshit label, they released their debut album, 2022's NOT TiGHT. Anderson made sure to crash their red carpet walk to show his admiration for the duo. Later in the night, the Spotify RADAR artists kicked off the event with SMiLE.
We try not to think about [our nomination] too much because it feels weird . . . the duo confessed to Spotify: Mic Check. We usually just stay home, write . . . do absolutely nothing-fun stuff. People have Spotify and they wouldn't hear our music without it. So thank you.
Muni Long
Floridian native Muni went from making videos in her bedroom to becoming an accomplished songwriter and solo artist. She found success as a cowriter of hits like Rihanna's California King Bed, Fifth Harmony's Worth It, and Pitbull and Kesha's Timber, among others. From 2020 through 2022, she released an abundance of refined contemporary R&B EPs, with the single Hrs & Hrs becoming Muni's verified platinum hit in April 2022. Last September, she bundled and expanded her Public Display EPs for the full-length Public Displays of Affection: The Album.
For her Spotify Singles, Muni recorded an updated version of her Grammy-nominated song Hrs & Hrs (which she performed at the event) as well as her own rendition of the 1971 Best New Artist winner The Carpenters' song Superstar.
I decided to do a Spanish version of Hours and Hours'' called Hrs y Hrs,' Muni explained. It's a much more romantic version of the English rendition, and it's just about being with your partner that you love so much for ho
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
02/05/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
13/04/2026
ToolsOnAir Composition Builder 2026 Boilerplate
More Details: The Composition Builder 2026 application for macOS enables TV stations and Live Event broadcast...
13/04/2026
ToolsOnAr just:live pro 2026 Boilerplate
More Details: just:live pro 2026 is a Multi-Channel Live Production Playout solution for video and static or real-ti...
13/04/2026
ToolsOnAr just:play pro 2026 Boilerplate
More Details: just:play pro 2026 is a Multi-Channel automated 24/7 Master Control playout solution with SD, HD and U...
13/04/2026
ToolsOnAr live:cut 2026 Boilerplate
More Details: live:cut is an option to just:in mac pro 2025 and enables multicamera production workflows for up to 16 cam...
13/04/2026
ToolsOnAir Just In Mac Lite NDI 2026 Boilerplate
More Details: The Just In Mac Lite NDI application is a streamlined media capture solution designed specific...
13/04/2026
ToolsOnAir Just In Mac Lite 2026 Boilerplate
More Details: The Just In Mac Lite application is a streamlined media capture solution designed specifically for...
13/04/2026
ToolsOnAir just:in mac pro 2026 Boilerplate
More Details: just:in mac pro is a macOS-based client-server multichannel capture solution to record SDI, HDMI, N...
13/04/2026
Telos Alliance has announced that J nger Audio has joined the EBU ADM Implementers Group (ADM-IG) as a founding member. The group is focused on advancing ADM an...
13/04/2026
Grass Valley will demonstrate its Alliance Partner ecosystem at NAB Show 2026 (Booth C2408, Central Hall, April 19-22), showing AMPP integrations across live pr...
13/04/2026
Media Links will exhibit at NAB Show 2026 (Booth W2033), demonstrating IP transport solutions for live production including hitless protection technology, Xscen...
13/04/2026
NBC Sports has announced a programming, distribution, and sales partnership with...
13/04/2026
FloSports has promoted Chief Operating Officer Jayar Donlan to President, effective immediately. In his new role, Donlan will lead the company's commercial,...
13/04/2026
PanCam Pictures, the documentary production company founded by Paul Camarata, us...
13/04/2026
Mimir will exhibit at NAB Show 2026 (North Hall, Booth N2850), demonstrating its cloud-native media production platform with new capabilities including Mimir Cu...
13/04/2026
BBright has announced that its IP Gateway now supports the Reliable Internet Stream Transport (RIST) protocol. The addition will be introduced at NAB Show 2026 ...
13/04/2026
Net Insight has been awarded a development project through the European Space Agency's Navigation Innovation and Support Program (NAVISP), with co-funding f...
13/04/2026
intoPIX will exhibit at NAB Show 2026, marking the company's 20th anniversary. The company will demonstrate its JPEG XS compression portfolio and IPMX-appro...
13/04/2026
Starting from scratch, the team built an in-house content platform comprising ga...
13/04/2026
Here's a look at some of the new products and updates, along with audio-centric conferences, that attendees will find next week at the show
When the 2026 N...
13/04/2026
Avid will launch new integrated newsroom capabilities for Avid for News at NAB Show 2026 (Booth N2226, April 18-22), demonstrating how Avid Content Core connect...
13/04/2026
Synamedia has announced a new version of Quortex PowerVu, an IP-native, software...
13/04/2026
Mediaproxy has developed a suite of AI-powered tools for brand and advertisement tracking, integrated into its LogServer compliance logging and analysis platfor...
13/04/2026
Disguise will demonstrate its media servers and software at NAB Show 2026, appearing across five partner booths in Central Hall: MRMC, B&H, Planar, CarbonBlack,...
13/04/2026
OpenDrives is introducing OpenDrives Edge at NAB Show 2026, a hybrid cloud-edge performance accelerator for distributed video and rich media workflows. The prod...
13/04/2026
The show will deploy 18 cameras across two sets and the draft floor, including a...
13/04/2026
Intuitive EQ plug-in gets an upgrade
Following its official launch back in February 2026, Musik Hack's intuitive EQ plug-in has been treated to its firs...
13/04/2026
Flagship soft synth collection expanded
The latest version of UVI's flagship vintage-inspired soft synth collection has just arrived, expanding the suit...
13/04/2026
Free version of innovative string library arrives
Released in October 2025, Lux Orchestral Strings was said to be Sonuscore's most ambitious library to ...
13/04/2026
The Girls' Research Camp is part of the Technology - Future in Bavaria edu...
13/04/2026
Rohde & Schwarz transforms submarine communications for real time underwater dom...
13/04/2026
Rohde & Schwarz enables Pulsar signal simulation to support next-generation navi...
13/04/2026
L3Harris is accelerating the development of infrared payloads for Space Development Agency's Tranche 2 Tracking Layer, to help meet urgent national defense ...
13/04/2026
By leveraging cutting-edge unfilmed Gen III image intensifier technology, NOVA delivers unmatched clarity, range, and reliability in low-light environments - en...
13/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/04/2026
Explore new Disguise plugins, including Sony's VP integration; Listen to panels across partner booths at Sony and B&H
Disguise, the company powering everyt...
13/04/2026
TAG Video Systems, the leading IP-native Realtime Media Platform, has announced its participation in the Media Exchange Layer (MXL) interop initiative. TAG has ...
13/04/2026
Today, Chaos launched V-Ray for Blender Community Edition at BCON Austin 2026, making its production-proven 3D renderer free for all Blender users. The same Aca...
13/04/2026
Additions strengthen LTN's leadership as broadcasters scale satellite-to-IP transition
LTN today announced the appointments of Mark Romano as Vice Presiden...
13/04/2026
LEEDS, UK, APRIL 13, 2026 NUGEN Audio releases Halo Vision v1.2, a significant update to its real time, customizable audio analysis suite for 3D, surround and...
13/04/2026
Atomos today announced the acquisition of Flanders Scientific (FSI), one of the most respected names in professional reference monitoring. This strategic move r...
13/04/2026
How Mei Semones Built Her Sound from J-Pop, Jazz, and Bilingual Songwriting The indie-pop artist combines agile guitar lines, rhythmic shifts, and lyrics that...
13/04/2026
Cue the Change: Jonathon Heyward Is Making Classical Music More Relatable Nicknamed the Converse Conductor, the Boston Conservatory alum holds top conductin...
13/04/2026
Heat Wave: Inside Miamis Sizzling, Boundary-Blurring Latin Music Scene In a city shaped by migration and exchange, Berklee alumni are helping drive a Latin mu...