The Best New Artist race is shaping up to be a family affair. Two of the year’s buzziest emerging acts are siblings: pop singer-songwriter Audrey Hobert and alternative R&B breakout Malcolm Todd. Both appear poised for Grammy recognition, potentially making history as the first siblings nominated for Best New Artist in the same year as separate solo acts.
Hobert is gaining momentum with “Sue Me,” released last year on her debut album, Who’s the Clown? The song and album have continued to climb in recent months, reaching new peaks on the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard 200.
Hobert has also built considerable industry credibility through her songwriting work with Gracie Abrams, co-writing hits including “Risk,” “I Love You, I’m Sorry” and the top-10 smash “That’s So True.”
Todd’s commercial rise has been even faster. His breakout hit, “Earrings,” reached the Top 20 of the Hot 100, while his latest album, Do That Again, debuted at No. 4 on the US albums chart. It is an unusual coincidence: two siblings experiencing major breakthroughs at the same time, in separate corners of the music industry.
Both artists are strong contenders for Best New Artist at the upcoming Grammys, with Todd ranked No. 5 and Hobert just outside of the field at number nine in the Gold Derby odds. With Hobert still gaining ground, this could become a potentially historic race.
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A rare Grammy scenario
There have been numerous sibling nominees in Best New Artist history, but most were part of the same act. The list includes Joe and Jamie Silvia of the Js with Jamie; Gene and Gram Parsons of the Byrds; Randy and Michael Brecker of the Brecker Brothers; Karen and Richard Carpenter of the Carpenters; George and Louis Johnson of the Brothers Johnson; Steve and Jeff Porcaro of Toto; David and Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits; Michael and Kelvin Grant and Junior and Patrick Wait of Musical Youth; Dan and Ed Gilroy of Breakfast Club; Chris and Rich Robinson of the Black Crowes; Fred and Richard Young of the Kentucky Headhunters; Carney and Wendy Wilson of Wilson Phillips; Chris and Thomas Gorman of Belly; Jonas, Linn, and Jenny Berggren of Ace of Base; Dan and Brad Roberts of the Crash Test Dummies; Isaac, Taylor, and Zach Hanson of Hanson; Martie Maguire and Emily Strayer of the Chicks; Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas of the Jonas Brothers; Kimberly, Neil, and Reid Perry of the Band Perry; Este, Danielle, and Alana Haim of Haim; Chloe and Halle Bailey of Chloe x Halle; and Josh, Jake, and Sam Kiszka of Greta Van Fleet.
Billie Eilish and Finneas became the closest precedent for Hobert and Todd, earning Best New Artist nominations in separate years at the 2020 and 2022 Grammys, respectively. If both Hobert and Todd make the cut this year, they would be the first siblings nominated simultaneously as separate solo artists.
Their chance at history could even strengthen their campaigns. The pair has embraced cross-promotion, covering each other’s songs for Triple J’s Like a Version series and making surprise appearances at each other’s concerts. Their public connection may encourage voters who discover one sibling to explore the other’s music as well. It also gives both artists an unusual visibility advantage: a voter looking for Todd may be reminded of Hobert, and vice versa, when ballots are being considered.
Will both siblings get in?
The answer is likely yes. Todd appears close to a lock after multiple Hot 100 entries this year and repeated peaks atop Spotify’s global chart. Hobert remains just outside the top eight in the Gold Derby odds, but “Sue Me” continues to grow week after week, while her songwriting work with Abrams gives Hobert an additional layer of industry credibility.
She also has a timely commercial advantage over several competitors, including Role Model and Miles Caton, whose profiles currently lack the same level of Hot 100 momentum. If Hobert continues to rise through the voting period, she could easily move into the top eight — or come close enough that her omission would be a genuine surprise.
A pair of Best New Artist nominations would give the siblings a memorable place in Grammy history while reflecting the breadth of the current music landscape. For now, consider both Audrey Hobert and Malcolm Todd strong bets to hear their names called.
