Stars Who’ve Surprisingly Never Won a Grammy

Some of the biggest names in music have shelves full of hit singles, albums that changed the culture, and tours that sell out in minutes, yet they still don’t have a competitive Grammy to their name. Here are twenty massively successful artists and groups who, despite nominations and long runs of mainstream success, have never taken home the trophy.

Snoop Dogg

A fixture of hip hop since the early 90s, Snoop Dogg has released classic albums, dozens of charting singles, and guest verses on hits across pop and R&B. He has been nominated many times in rap performance and collaboration categories but has not converted those nods into a win. His catalog spans everything from West Coast anthems to global pop crossovers. He remains one of the most cited examples of commercial and cultural impact without a Grammy victory.

Katy Perry

Katy Perry dominated radio for years with multiple number one singles and multi-platinum albums. She has received numerous nominations in major categories like record and album but has never won. Her Super Bowl halftime show and massive world tours underline her status as a global pop powerhouse. Despite that visibility and sales, a competitive Grammy has stayed out of reach.

Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj helped redefine mainstream rap with rapid-fire flows and pop savvy collaborations. She has earned several nominations across rap and pop fields yet has never won. Her influence shows in chart records, streaming milestones, and the success of artists she has inspired. Even with blockbuster singles and high-profile features, a trophy has not followed.

ABBA

ABBA’s catalog includes some of the most recognizable pop songs ever recorded and albums that still stream heavily today. The group finally received first-time nominations late in their career revival but has not won a competitive Grammy. Their songwriting and harmonies continue to power jukebox musicals and enduring greatest-hits collections. Commercial success and lasting cultural presence have not translated into a win.

Björk

Björk’s solo work spans experimental pop, electronic, and orchestral explorations that critics regularly celebrate. Her albums are frequent nominees in alternative and music video categories. Despite sustained acclaim, she has never secured a competitive win. Her influence on avant-pop aesthetics and production remains undeniable.

Busta Rhymes

Busta Rhymes is known for intricate rhymes, rapid delivery, and a long run of radio staples. He has been recognized with multiple nominations in rap performance and collaboration fields. Major singles and era-defining guest spots have kept him prominent across decades. A competitive Grammy, however, has eluded him.

Travis Scott

Travis Scott’s albums have produced huge streaming numbers and arena-level tours. He has been nominated several times in rap and melodic categories. His production style and live staging have shaped the sound and spectacle of modern hip hop. He has not yet turned that momentum into a Grammy win.

Post Malone

Post Malone blends hip hop, pop, and rock influences, resulting in numerous multi-format hits. He has earned a range of nominations including record and album categories. His tours and streaming presence consistently rank among the biggest of the year. Even with broad appeal, a competitive Grammy is still missing.

Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato’s vocals have anchored pop hits and power ballads across multiple albums. Industry recognition has brought nominations in pop performance and related fields. They have also expanded into acting and advocacy while maintaining chart presence. Despite visibility and strong singles, there is no competitive Grammy win.

Blake Shelton

Blake Shelton is a country radio mainstay with many number ones and a long tenure as a television coach on a top singing competition. He has received several nominations in country categories. His albums and singles have been staples on the charts for years. A Grammy trophy has remained out of reach.

Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez has delivered global pop smashes and high-energy performances that define major award shows and halftime stages. She has collected nominations in pop and dance fields without a win. Her career spans music, film, and television with sustained commercial success. Even with that profile, a competitive Grammy has not landed.

Lana Del Rey

Lana Del Rey’s albums consistently debut strong and draw critical attention for songwriting and mood-driven production. She has received multiple nominations across alternative, pop, and album fields. Her influence is easy to hear in newer artists and soundtracks that mirror her cinematic style. She still awaits a first competitive Grammy win.

Avril Lavigne

Avril Lavigne helped usher pop-punk into the mainstream with early-2000s hits and later comebacks that charted well. She has been recognized with nominations in pop and rock categories. Tours and streaming resurgences have kept her catalog active with new fans. A Grammy win has remained elusive.

Queen

Queen’s stadium anthems and operatic rock experiments have endured for generations. The band’s classic recordings continue to sell and stream at high levels and fuel massive arena tours with a new frontman. While their legacy is secure, a competitive Grammy has never been awarded to the group. Their impact is reflected more in longevity and influence than in trophies.

Backstreet Boys

Backstreet Boys became one of the best-selling boy bands with global hits and album sales measured in tens of millions. They have earned nominations for pop performance and album categories. Reunion tours and new releases have kept the group active and commercially viable. Yet a competitive Grammy still isn’t on their list of achievements.

BTS

BTS broke language barriers and set touring and streaming records across markets worldwide. The group has received multiple nominations in pop and group performance categories. Their releases regularly top charts and drive massive fan engagement. Despite that dominance, a Grammy win has not occurred.

The Notorious B.I.G.

The Notorious B.I.G. is widely cited as one of the greatest rappers, with albums that remain core to hip hop history. His singles continue to stream heavily and influence new artists. Posthumous recognition across halls of fame and lists has been extensive. A competitive Grammy was never awarded during his career.

Tupac Shakur

Tupac Shakur’s catalog mixes political insight with radio-ready hooks and remains central to rap’s canon. His albums and singles still appear on best-of lists and stream regularly. Documentaries, films, and exhibits have kept his legacy in the public eye. He did not receive a competitive Grammy win.

Sia

Sia’s songwriting has powered hits for other artists while her own records produced major singles and viral videos. She has received nominations as a performer and writer in pop and video fields. Her vocal style and songwriting approach are widely imitated. A competitive Grammy has yet to arrive.

Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez has released successful pop projects and landed prominent collaborations that scored heavy radio and streaming play. She has picked up nominations in pop and Latin-related categories. Outside music, she balances acting and producing with a strong global following. A competitive Grammy win remains pending.

Diana Ross

Diana Ross is one of the most successful vocalists in pop and R&B with a career spanning classic Motown hits and solo chart toppers. She has been nominated multiple times in major categories but never won a competitive trophy. Her work with The Supremes and her solo catalog continue to sell and stream strongly. She received a Lifetime Achievement Award, which is honorary and not a competitive win.

Bob Marley

Bob Marley’s albums helped define reggae for audiences worldwide and remain steady sellers across formats. He received posthumous recognition and a Lifetime Achievement Award but no competitive Grammy wins. Compilation releases and reissues keep his music active on charts and playlists. His catalog is also central to cultural and educational programs that highlight reggae’s global reach.

Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix’s recordings are fixtures in rock history and continue to appear on best album lists. He did not receive a competitive Grammy during his lifetime. Reissues and live sets are frequently certified and preserved in archival projects. A Lifetime Achievement Award acknowledges his influence without counting as a competitive win.

Janis Joplin

Janis Joplin’s studio and live recordings showcase a powerful voice that shaped blues rock and soul. She did not win a competitive Grammy before her passing. Retrospective releases and box sets keep her work available to new listeners. She has been honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award rather than a competitive category win.

Aaliyah

Aaliyah’s singles and albums bridged R&B and pop and influenced production styles that followed. She received Grammy nominations but never won a competitive award. Posthumous releases and catalog availability on major platforms renewed interest in her work. Her music continues to chart on streaming rankings during anniversaries and reissues.

Ice Cube

Ice Cube’s solo albums and film soundtracks include widely known tracks that helped shape West Coast rap. He has been nominated for Grammys but has not won a competitive category. His work as an actor and producer keeps him present in mainstream media. Legacy tours and classic album celebrations sustain interest in his catalog.

Kesha

Kesha’s dance pop and ballads have earned multiple Grammy nominations in pop and vocal performance fields. She has not converted those nominations into a win. Her albums have produced platinum singles and strong streaming numbers. Tours and televised performances have kept her in the center of pop conversations.

Ellie Goulding

Ellie Goulding’s releases have generated global hits that crossed between electronic pop and adult contemporary radio. She has received Grammy nominations but no competitive wins. Her songs are regular features in film and television placements. She continues to chart in multiple regions with new collaborations and solo tracks.

Shawn Mendes

Shawn Mendes has accumulated multi platinum singles and sold out arena tours. He has been nominated for Grammys in pop and performance categories without a win. His songs perform strongly on streaming platforms and social video formats. Live albums and documentaries have expanded his reach to wider audiences.

Jason Derulo

Jason Derulo’s catalog includes numerous radio staples that earned high certifications and international chart positions. He has received Grammy nominations but no wins. Collaborations with producers and artists across genres have kept his sound current. Viral dance trends have repeatedly boosted his older tracks to new peaks.

Avicii

Avicii’s productions bridged EDM and pop and dominated festival lineups and global charts. He received Grammy nominations for key singles but did not win a competitive trophy. His posthumous releases and tribute concerts drew broad participation from peers. Royalties and foundation work continue to support mental health initiatives connected to his legacy.

Deadmau5

Deadmau5 is a leading figure in progressive and electro house with albums and singles that earned multiple nominations. He has not won a competitive Grammy. His live shows and stage design influenced large scale electronic performances. He remains active through label releases, collaborations, and soundtrack work.

Halsey

Halsey has scored major pop and alternative hits as both a lead artist and collaborator. She has collected Grammy nominations across pop and album fields without a win. Visual albums and concept driven rollouts have supported strong first week numbers. Brand partnerships and tours have extended her presence beyond music charts.

Camila Cabello

Camila Cabello has earned nominations tied to both solo releases and collaborations. She has not won a competitive Grammy. Singles from her albums have reached high chart positions in several countries. She remains active in film and television projects that align with album cycles.

Zayn Malik

Zayn Malik transitioned from group success to solo hits that blend R&B and pop. He has been nominated for Grammys but has not won. His releases focus on studio craft and collaborations with producers outside traditional pop circles. Soundtrack contributions and standalone singles maintain his release schedule between albums.

One Direction

One Direction became a global pop phenomenon with stadium tours and chart topping albums. The group received Grammy nominations without a competitive win. Catalog streams remain high even after members pursued solo careers. Anniversary campaigns and new formats for old releases continue to find large audiences.

*NSYNC

*NSYNC delivered multiple multi platinum albums and a run of singles that dominated radio. The group received Grammy nominations but never won a competitive category. Reunion appearances and archival drops have drawn heavy attention online. Members’ solo projects keep the group’s catalog in circulation for new listeners.

Spice Girls

Spice Girls achieved massive worldwide sales and a cultural footprint that reached film, merchandise, and global tours. They received nominations but did not take home a competitive Grammy. Anniversary tours and deluxe album editions regularly prompt chart returns. Their individual members’ projects continue to drive interest in the group’s music.

Jonas Brothers

Jonas Brothers returned from a hiatus to reclaim strong chart positions and arena level touring. They have received Grammy nominations without a win. Their releases span pop rock and adult contemporary influences that do well on radio. Television projects and documentary features have supported their album campaigns.

Oasis

Oasis dominated Britpop with multi million selling albums and anthems that remain staples at sporting events and festivals. The band received Grammy nominations but never won a competitive trophy. Remastered editions and anniversary tours by former members keep the catalog visible. Their songs continue to chart during reissues and new certifications.

Share which artists you were most surprised to see on this list in the comments.