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Among Established Artists, Several Newbies Score Grammy Nominations

AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:

The nominations for the 58th Grammy Awards were announced this morning. Kendrick Lamar and Taylor Swift are up for the big ones - Album of the Year and Song of the Year, and they received a total of 17 nominations between them. But we were interested in some of the relative newcomers in the field. NPR's Andrew Limbong takes a listen to the other musical artists out there.

ANDREW LIMBONG, BYLINE: On the Best New Artist list, you've got a sad guy singer-songwriter, pop soul and pop country blends and Courtney Barnett.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "PEDESTRIAN AT BEST")

COURTNEY BARNETT: (Singing) Put me on a pedestal, and I'll only disappoint you.

LIMBONG: Her record "Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit" came out on an indie label this past spring. And speaking of that pop country blend, two big country singers are on deck to win their first Grammys - Sam Hunt...

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "HOUSE PARTY")

SAM HUNT: (Singing) Let's have a house party. We don't need nobody. Turn your TV off, break that boombox out.

LIMBONG: And on the opposite side of bro-country is Chris Stapleton, his first time as a solo artist doing classic country.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "DADDY DOESN'T PRAY ANYMORE")

CHRIS STAPLETON: (Singing) Daddy doesn't pray anymore. I guess he's finished talking to the Lord.

LIMBONG: On the jazz side of things, Joey Alexander has a shot to win for Best Improvised Jazz Solo, and he's 12 years old.

(SOUNDBITE OF JOEY ALEXANDER SONG, "GIANT STEPS")

LIMBONG: It's for a song called "Giant Steps," by the way, in case the symbolism isn't on the nose enough for you. A category called Best Urban Contemporary Album has a couple first-time nominees.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "GET AWAY")

THE INTERNET: (Singing) I'm still driving around in my old whip, still living at home, got issues with my old chick, she blowing up my phone.

LIMBONG: The Internet was nominated for its album "Ego Death." So was Kehlani for "You Should Be Here."

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "YOU SHOULD BE HERE")

KEHLANI: (Singing) We used to talk all night long. Now we laying in silence.

LIMBONG: And Lianne La Havas.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "WHAT YOU DON'T DO")

LIANNE LA HAVAS: (Singing) Don't tell the whole world. Just want to be your girl.

LIMBONG: The TV broadcast of the awards will be on February 15. And there will be big performances and fancy outfits, and maybe there'll be a shot for a new kid on the block. Andrew Limbong, NPR News. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

Andrew Limbong is a reporter for NPR's Arts Desk, where he does pieces on anything remotely related to arts or culture, from streamers looking for mental health on Twitch to Britney Spears' fight over her conservatorship. He's also covered the near collapse of the live music industry during the coronavirus pandemic. He's the host of NPR's Book of the Day podcast and a frequent host on Life Kit.