Artists who never took home a Grammy

Artists who never won Grammy

Throughout music history, many artists have changed the sound of their genres and left a big impact on the music world. Even though these artists are very popular and loved by many fans, some of them have never won a Grammy Award.

This might seem surprising because they have done so much for music. The Recording Academy has overlooked them for different reasons. Here are the facts about why these icons have not won a Grammy.

Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix, even though he had a huge impact on music, never won a Grammy Award while he was alive. In 1970, he got one Grammy nomination for his version of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” but he lost to Henry Mancini.

Although he didn’t win a Grammy, Jimi was honored after his death with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy in 1992. His music continues to motivate many, but the Grammy Award was one prize he never received during his life.

Bob Marley

Bob Marley never won a Grammy Award or got a nomination during his life. Even though he was very popular and changed reggae music, he was not recognized by the Grammy Awards.

The Best Reggae Album category started in 1989, four years after Marley’s death, which made it feel like he was “snubbed.” However, in 2001, Marley was posthumously given the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Beach Boys

The Beach Boys never won a Grammy, even though they got four nominations. They received three nominations for “Good Vibrations” in 1966 and one for “Kokomo” in 1988. In 2001, they were given a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Beach Boys were an important American rock band known for their vocal harmonies and songs about California’s sun, surf, and beach life. They started in 1961 with the Wilson brothers, Mike Love, and Al Jardine.

Iggy Pop

Iggy Pop, the leader of The Stooges, has never won a Grammy in the competitive categories, but he got a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020. He was also nominated twice for Best Alternative Music Album, including in 2016.

Iggy Pop, whose real name is James Newell Osterberg, was born on April 21, 1947, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He formed The Stooges in 1967, a band that influenced punk and alternative music.

Morrissey

Morrissey, the famous leader of The Smiths, never won a Grammy, even though he got one nomination. In 1992, he was nominated for Best Alternative Music Album for his album Your Arsenal, but he lost to Tom Waits.

He received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy in 2001. Born on May 22, 1959, in Manchester, England, Morrissey became famous as the singer and songwriter of The Smiths.

Run-D.M.C.

Run-D.M.C. never won a Grammy, even though they were nominated twice. In 1987, they were nominated for “Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals” for their album Raising Hell, but they didn’t win.

In 2016, they received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammy Awards for their big impact on music. In 2025, they were also nominated for “Best Music Film” for their documentary Kings From Queens.

Tupac Shakur

Tupac Shakur, also known as 2Pac, was nominated for six Grammys but never won. He was nominated in different categories for his music and acting, including one posthumously.

His first nominations were in 1995, but he lost to Coolio and Naughty by Nature. Tupac was born as Lesane Parish Crooks in Brooklyn, New York, and was later renamed by his mother.

Queen

Queen never won a Grammy during Freddie Mercury’s lifetime, even though they were nominated four times. They were nominated for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Group for their hits “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Another One Bites the Dust,” but they didn’t win.

In 2018, they received a Lifetime Achievement Award, which is a special honor, not a competitive win. Queen’s music is still very popular today, and their songs are in movies like Bohemian Rhapsody.

ABBA

ABBA was a famous Swedish pop group from 1972 to 1982. The band was made up of Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, and their name comes from the first letters of their names.

They became popular worldwide with catchy songs and won the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest with “Waterloo.” ABBA’s music style was pop and Europop, with great melodies and harmonies.

Diana Ross

Diana Ross, the “Queen of Motown,” has never won a Grammy in a competitive category, even though she was nominated 13 times. Her first nomination was in 1964 for “Baby Love.”

Diana became famous as the lead singer of The Supremes, Motown’s biggest group, which had 12 number-one pop singles. She started her solo career in 1970 and had six number-one hits.

Diana also acted in films like Lady Sings the Blues and Mahogany. She won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012 and many other awards, like the Kennedy Center Honors.

Busta Rhymes

Busta Rhymes has never won a Grammy Award, despite receiving 12 nominations. Born Trevor George Smith Jr. in 1972, he is known for his fast rapping and energetic style.

Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the name Busta Rhymes after NFL player George “Buster” Rhymes. Busta began his career with Leaders of the New School before going solo.

Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj has been nominated for 12 Grammy Awards but has never won one. This makes her one of the most nominated artists without a win. She has been nominated in categories like Best Rap Album, Best Rap Song, and Best New Artist. In 2011, she lost Best New Artist to Bon Iver.

In 2015, she was nominated against Kendrick Lamar in several categories. Some people in the music industry have wondered why she hasn’t won. In 2024, she was nominated for two Grammys: Best Rap Song for “Attention” and “Just Wanna Rock,” and also “Scientists & Engineers.”

The Notorious B.I.G.

The Notorious B.I.G., also known as Biggie Smalls, never won a Grammy Award, even though he was nominated four times. One of his nominations was for the song “Big Poppa” in 1996.

In 1998, he was nominated posthumously for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Album, but both went to Sean “P. Diddy” Combs. Biggie was born Christopher George Latore Wallace in Brooklyn, New York.

The Who

The Who has never won a regular Grammy Award, even though they were nominated twice. They did get a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and three Hall of Fame awards for “Tommy,” “My Generation,” and “Who’s Next.”

The Who is a famous English rock band formed in 1964. The classic members were Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, John Entwistle, and Keith Moon. They were part of the British Invasion and called their music “maximum R&B.”

Patsy Cline

Patsy Cline never won a Grammy Award while she was alive. She died in 1963, just four years after the first Grammys were given. Even though she didn’t win one during her career, she received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award after she died.

Patsy Cline was a famous country music singer who blended country and pop styles. She was born Virginia Patterson Hensley in 1932 and became a star in the 1950s and 1960s.

And if you want to know about her legacy, dive into the story of Patsy Cline’s children.

Guns N’ Roses

Guns N’ Roses has never won a Grammy Award, even though they were nominated three times. They were nominated in the “Best Hard Rock Performance” category but lost to artists like Living Colour, Van Halen, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

In recent years, events like the 2025 Grammys aid wildfire relief have shown the awards’ broader impact, even as legendary bands like Guns N’ Roses remain winless.

What do you think, did any of these artists deserve a Grammy or not? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.