Grammy Best New Artist Winner and Key Facts
Megan Thee Stallion was named the Best New Artist at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards held on March 14, 2022, for work released in 2021, according to the official Recording Academy announcement on their website Grammy Awards 2022 winners list. She became the first female rapper to win the category since Lauryn Hill in 1999, and her win was based on a combination of streaming data, sales figures, and ballot results from Recording Academy voting members. The award recognized her 2020–2021 singles, albums, and cultural impact across hip-hop and pop formats.
The Recording Academy defines Best New Artist as an award for an artist who releases, during the eligibility year, either the first recording or the first recording that establishes the artist's public identity, as stated in the official Grammy rules and guidelines 64th Annual Grammy Awards rules. Eligibility for the 64th ceremony covered the period from September 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021, and the final ballot included five nominees: Megan Thee Stallion, Baby Keem, Doja Cat, Olivia Rodrigo, and Tyler, the Creator. Each nominee met the criteria of a first major commercial breakthrough within that window, as measured by chart entries, certifications, and industry recognition.
Chart Performance and Streaming Data
Megan Thee Stallion's single "Savage" peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart dated May 16, 2020, and remained on the chart for multiple weeks, while her debut studio album "Good News" debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 in November 2020, according to Billboard chart data Billboard Hot 100 chart history. The album generated over 100 million on-demand audio and video streams in its first week of availability in the United States, as reported by Luminate (formerly Nielsen Music) tracking data. Her streaming numbers placed her among the top new artists in terms of on-demand audio streams for the 2021 eligibility period.
Key Singles and Certifications
"Savage" received a Diamond certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for surpassing 10 million units in the United States, combining sales and on-demand streams, as shown in the RIAA Gold & Platinum database RIAA Gold & Platinum - Megan Thee Stallion. Other singles such as "Body" and "Cry Baby" (with DaBaby) also earned multi-platinum certifications, reflecting sustained consumption across digital platforms and radio formats during the eligibility window.
Record Label, Distribution, and Business Deals
Megan Thee Stallion signed with 1501 Certified Entertainment and 300 Entertainment as her management and label partners, with distribution handled through Warner Records, as confirmed in public filings and press releases from the companies