Finance
Olivia Dean takes home best new artist Grammy
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on February 2, 2026
3 min readLast updated: February 2, 2026
Quick Summary
Olivia Dean wins the 2026 Grammy for best new artist, marking her rise from London busker to global star. Her album 'The Art of Loving' topped UK charts.
Olivia Dean takes home best new artist Grammy
Olivia Dean's Journey to Grammy Success
By Danielle Broadway
Emotional Acceptance Speech
LOS ANGELES, Feb 1 (Reuters) - Olivia Dean capped her rapid ascent from London busker to breakout global star on Sunday by winning the 2026 Grammy for best new artist, a career‑defining honor that has historically signaled the industry’s next major voices.
Performance Highlights from the Ceremony
The British singer‑songwriter beat a field that included viral phenom Lola Young, becoming the latest in a line of rising talents — from Adele to Dua Lipa — whose early acclaim foreshadowed long‑lasting impact.
Medley of New Artist Nominees
Dean, who was emotional after receiving her first Grammy, took the stage wearing a dress that was glittering black on the top and white on the bottom.
Individual Performances
"I never really imagined I would be up here," the 26-year-old said after the 2025 best new artist winner, Chappell Roan, handed her the award.
"I'm up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant. I'm a product of bravery and I think those people deserve to be celebrated," she added.
Dean is a singer‑songwriter known for her soulful voice and songwriting that blends neo‑soul, pop, and R&B. Dean's mother is of Jamaican-Guyanese heritage while her dad is English.
She grew up singing in a gospel church and took a non-traditional career route from busking and performing informally around London to releasing her 2025 album, “The Art of Loving,” which topped UK charts.
The viral success of “Man I Need” helped propel Dean into the history books in late 2025, when she became the first female solo artist to place four songs in the UK Top 10 at the same time.
She uses her platform to explore her identity as a biracial artist.
Dean's win follows in the footsteps of "Pink Pony Club" singer Chappell Roan, who won in 2025.
NEW ARTISTS PERFORM A MEDLEY
To celebrate each up-and-coming artist, all eight best new artist nominees performed in a medley before the winner was announced, including Addison Rae, Alex Warren, KATSEYE, Leon Thomas, Lola Young, Olivia Dean, SOMBR and The Marias.
The Marias kicked off the group performance with their ethereal English and Spanish song "No One Noticed," followed by Addison Rae in a sparkly purple robe singing her high-energy pop song "Fame is a Gun." Rae later disrobed to dance in shimmery lingerie.
The group KATSEYE was up next, strutting in with black, olive green and yellow outfits, performing their high energy anthem "Gnarly" with a team of dancers.
Leon Thomas then slowed things down, arriving on stage with his R&B song "MUTT" with a combination of guitar and drums.
Next, Alex Warren walked amongst the audience as he sang his empowering love anthem "Ordinary" with a choir ensemble behind him. He was later lifted up on a platform and floated above the stage.
Lola Young took to the stage next playing the piano and singing her trending TikTok song "Messy" with her deep sultry vocals.
Olivia Dean came in with a glittery red dress and a group of instrumentalists for her playful song "Man I Need" and SOMBR followed suit by rocking a sparkling disco-style outfit and performing his rock song "12 to 12."
(Reporting by Danielle Broadway; Editing by Howard Goller)
Key Takeaways
- •Olivia Dean wins the 2026 Grammy for best new artist.
- •Dean's journey from London busker to global star.
- •Dean's album 'The Art of Loving' topped UK charts.
- •Dean is known for her soulful voice and neo-soul style.
- •The Grammy win highlights Dean's rising influence.
Frequently Asked Questions about Olivia Dean takes home best new artist Grammy
1What is a Grammy?
The Grammy Awards are accolades awarded by the Recording Academy to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry. They are considered one of the most prestigious awards in the music field.
2What is neo-soul?
Neo-soul is a genre of music that combines elements of soul, R&B, and hip-hop. It emerged in the late 1990s and is characterized by its smooth, melodic sound and often introspective lyrics.
3What is a viral phenomenon?
A viral phenomenon refers to content that rapidly gains popularity and is widely shared across social media and other platforms. This can include videos, songs, or trends that capture public interest.
4What is a medley in music?
A medley is a musical arrangement that combines several different songs or musical themes into one performance. It often showcases a variety of styles and can highlight an artist's versatility.
5What is a breakout artist?
A breakout artist is a musician who achieves sudden and significant success, often gaining widespread recognition and popularity after previously being relatively unknown.