Photo credit: Getty for SpotifyFor 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
