20 popular artists who have surprisingly never won a Grammy

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Yvette ManesNov 25, 2020, 00:59 IST
20 popular artists who have surprisingly never won a Grammy

Katy Perry, Blake Shelton, and Nicki Minaj are among artists who have shockingly never received a Grammy.Rich Fury/Getty Images, Rick Diamond/Getty Images, and Jason Merritt/Getty Images

  • Some of the most popular musicians of all time have never won Grammy Awards.
  • Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj, and Blake Shelton have several nominations but no Grammys.
  • Rappers Nas, Busta Rhymes, and Tupac all have at least one nomination but zero wins.
  • Legends like Diana Ross, Jimi Hendrix, and The Beach Boys never won a Grammy, but they did receive lifetime achievement awards from the Recording Academy.

Since 1959, the Grammy Awards have recognized the most talented musicians of the year.

It's often assumed that all of the legendary hit-makers have taken home a statuette or two — but there are actually quite a few iconic artists who seem to narrowly lose out year after year.

Read on for 20 talented artists who have never been awarded a Grammy, ranked by how many nominations they've received.

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Brian McKnight has 17 nominations but no wins.

Brian McKnight has 17 nominations but no wins.
R&B singer Brian McKnight has been nominated alongside music icons like Prince. Jonathan Leibson/Stringer/Getty Images

Nominated 17 times since 1993, singer-songwriter Brian McKnight has yet to win his first Grammy. He lost his last nomination for best male R&B vocal performance to Prince in 2004.

Snoop Dogg has been nominated for 16 Grammys, but he has never taken home the prize.

Snoop Dogg has been nominated for 16 Grammys, but he has never taken home the prize.
Rapper Snoop Dogg has never won a Grammy. Richard Shotwell/AP

At 16 nominations, the rapper only trails singer McKnight by one, but the two have even more in common.

Calvin Broadus, better known as Snoop Dogg, also received his first nod in 1993 and, like McKnight, is still awaiting his first Grammy win.

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Björk has been nominated 15 times.

Björk has been nominated 15 times.
Björk was nominated in 2018. AP

The Icelandic singer, songwriter, actress, record producer, and DJ has been nominated 15 times since 1993, but Björk has never brought home a Grammy.

Her most recent nomination in 2018 was for best alternative music album.

Martina McBride has racked up 14 nominations since 1994.

Martina McBride has racked up 14 nominations since 1994.
Country legend Martina McBride has no Grammys. John Shearer/Country Rising/Getty Images

She's racked up 14 nominations since 1994, but talented country singer Martina McBride has been beaten out each time. She lost her latest nomination in 2011 to Taylor Swift.

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Dierks Bentley has also earned 14 nominations.

Dierks Bentley has also earned 14 nominations.
Dierks Bentley has been nominated in the country category since 2006. Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

His first nominations were in 2006 for the hit "Every Mile A Memory." But even after 14 nominations country singer Dierks Bentley hasn't won a Grammy.

Nas has been nominated for a Grammy Award 14 times.

Nas has been nominated for a Grammy Award 14 times.
The rap legend Nas has lost to Drake, Jay-Z, and Kanye West. Gabe Ginsberg/Stringer/Getty Images

With 14 nominations since 1996, rapper Nas is still doesn't have a Grammy. He received four nominations in 2012, but was beat out by Jay-Z, Kanye, and Drake.

His most recent nomination — for best rap album — is for the 63rd annual Grammys, which are set to take place in January 2021.

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Katy Perry has 13 nominations but no wins.

Katy Perry has 13 nominations but no wins.
Pop singer Katy Perry earned 13 Grammy nominations. Rich Fury/Stringer/Getty Images

She's been nominated 13 times over the last 10 years, but current "American Idol" judge, Katy Perry, still doesn't have a Grammy award to adorn her mantle.

Diana Ross has won a lifetime achievement award, but no Grammys.

Diana Ross has won a lifetime achievement award, but no Grammys.
Diana Ross won the lifetime achievement award at the 2012 Grammy Awards. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Believe it or not, the legendary Diana Ross has never won a Grammy.

Her first of 12 nominations was in 1964 for "Baby Love," and she was nominated nearly every year from 1970 to 1982 without a win.

That being said, the Recording Academy recognized the songstress with a lifetime achievement award in 2012.

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Busta Rhymes has been nominated 12 times.

Busta Rhymes has been nominated 12 times.
Busta Rhymes is another rapper who has lost to Kanye West. Bryan Bedder/Stringer/Getty Images

Nominated 12 times since 1996, Trevor Smith Jr. aka Busta Rhymes hasn't yet won his first Grammy. His last two nominations were for best rap performance and best rap song in 2011.

He lost to Kanye West in both categories.

Nicki Minaj has 10 nominations but no wins.

Nicki Minaj has 10 nominations but no wins.
Rapper Nicki Minaj has earned 10 Grammy nominations. Robin Marchant/Getty Images

From 2010 to 2015, Nicki Minaj was nominated for 10 Grammys. The rapper lost best new artist to Bon Iver in 2011, and to Kendrick Lamar in all three of her nominated categories in 2015.

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Sia has nine nominations but hasn't scored a win.

Sia has nine nominations but hasn't scored a win.
Singer-songwriter Sia has yet to win a Grammy. Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images

Sia's had nine nominations since 2012, but the singer-songwriter, record producer, and music video director has yet to win a Grammy.

She lost her 2017 nomination for best song written for visual media to Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Blake Shelton has been nominated eight times.

Blake Shelton has been nominated eight times.
Blake Shelton has earned eight nominations in the country music category. Stephen Lovekin/Stringer/Getty Images

The country singer and judge on "The Voice" has been nominated eight times, but Blake Shelton has no Grammy wins. He most recently lost at the 62nd annuals awards.

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Tupac earned six nominations including one after his death.

Tupac earned six nominations including one after his death.
The iconic rapper received a nomination after his tragic death. Columbia Pictures

With six nominations, including one after his death, Tupac Shakur never won a Grammy. He lost his first nominations in 1995 to Coolio and Naughty by Nature and lost his posthumous nomination to Eminem.

Queen has had four nominations but no wins.

Queen has had four nominations but no wins.
Lead singer Freddie Mercury performing in 1982. Hulton Archive/Stringer/Getty Images

Surprisingly, the band Queen received only four Grammy nominations and never had a win.

Even though their last nomination was in 1980, artists like Panic! At the Disco and the 2018 film "Bohemian Rhapsody" are helping to keep their iconic music alive by introducing Queen's music to younger generations around the world.

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The Beach Boys have received a lifetime achievement award but no Grammy.

The Beach Boys have received a lifetime achievement award but no Grammy.
The Beach Boys backstage at the Grammy Awards in 2012. Larry Busacca/Getty Images

Another legendary band with only four nominations and zero Grammy wins is the Beach Boys.

They received three nominations in 1966 for their hit "Good Vibrations" and their last nod came in 1988 for "Kokomo." Although they haven't received a Grammy, The Beach Boys received a lifetime achievement award in 2001.

Sammy Davis Jr. has a lifetime achievement award but no Grammy.

Sammy Davis Jr. has a lifetime achievement award but no Grammy.
Sammy Davis Jr. never received a Grammy award during his career. J. Wilds/Stringer/Getty Images

Famous for his Las Vegas shows and for being a part of the infamous Rat Pack, Sammy Davis Jr. received three nominations but had no Grammy wins during his lifetime.

He died in 1990, but he earned a lifetime achievement award in 2001.

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Dean Martin has a lifetime achievement award but no Grammy.

Dean Martin has a lifetime achievement award but no Grammy.
The singer was given a lifetime achievement award in 2009. Keystone/Stringer/Getty Images

Dean Martin, another Rat Pack crooner, only received one Grammy nomination.

He was nominated for his album "Everybody Loves Somebody" in 1964, but lost to Louis Armstrong.

Although Martin died in 1995, he was honored with a lifetime achievement award in 2009.

Morrissey has one Grammy nomination but hasn't won yet.

Morrissey has one Grammy nomination but hasn't won yet.
Despite his lengthy discography, the Smiths front man has only been nominated once. Ian Gavan/Stringer/Getty Images

It's hard to believe that the former Smiths front man who's released over 10 albums has only been nominated for one Grammy.

Morrissey lost out in his 1992 best alternative music album nomination to Tom Waits.

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Run-D.M.C. scored a lifetime achievement award but the group never won a Grammy.

Run-D.M.C. scored a lifetime achievement award but the group never won a Grammy.
The trio lost to Prince in 1986. Hulton Archive/Getty Images

It's inconceivable that iconic hip-hop artists Run-D.M.C. have been nominated for just one Grammy.

In 1986 they lost out to Prince for best R&B performance by a duo or group — the hip-hop category wasn't added until 1989.

They finally received a lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy in 2016.

Jimi Hendrix doesn't have a Grammy, but he does have a lifetime achievement award.

Jimi Hendrix doesn't have a Grammy, but he does have a lifetime achievement award.
Rock guitar virtuoso Jimi Hendrix tragically died the same year he was nominated. Evening Standard/Getty Images

His only nomination was in 1970 for his rendition of "Star Spangled Banner," but sadly Jimi Hendrix died that same year without winning the Grammy.

In 1992, the Recording Academy gave Hendrix a lifetime achievement award.

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