Best New Artist Grammy winners

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Best New Artist Grammy winners

Best New Artist Grammy winners

The winner of 2011's Best New Artist Grammy had many people--especially Justin Bieber fans--asking, "Esperanza who?" Which made us curious to see how previous winners have fared post-award. Answer? It's a mixed bag.

Atlanta's Zac Brown Band has blown up since winning the Best New Artist Grammy in 2010--and we're not just saying that because they're locals. They've had five top country singles and won several other awards (including one more Grammy in 2011)

Adele rode the British Female With Powerful Voice wave when she won the Best New Artist Grammy in 2009, but she's managed to avoid fading from obscurity like some of her contemporaries. She just released a new album and is touring.

Amy Winehouse's problems with drugs have largely overshadowed her career accomplishments, including her Best New Artist win in 2008. She's been arrested several times and gone through rehab, though seems to be making a comeback with her own record label and clothing line.

"American Idol's" must successful winner, Carrie Underwood's time on the show seems like a distant memory. She's won tons of other awards, sold million of albums and gotten married to hockey star Mike Fisher since winning the Grammy in 2007.

John Legend has cemented his status as one of the most well-respected contemporary R&B stars since his New Artist win in 2006 (beating out Fall Out Boy and Atlanta's Sugarland). He released an album with The Roots in 2010.

Maroon 5 was up against some powerhouses for the Best New Artist Award in 2005, including Kanye West and Joss Stone--but managed to hold their own. They've maintained a successful career since, releasing their third album in 2010.

The lineup for Evanescence has changed several times since winning the Grammy in 2004, entailing past band members filing lawsuits--which means their creative output has been put largely on hold. Front woman Amy Lee is still visible, working on side projects and supposedly working on a solo project.

Alicia Keys had quite a Grammy in haul in 2002 when she won the Best New Artist award--she won four others that year, too, and has won seven since. She has also acted in several movies, sold millions of albums, got married to rapper Swizz Beats and had a baby.

Shelby Lynn wasn't widely known when she won the Grammy in 2001 (beating out Brad Paisley and Sisqo)--and she still isn't. She started her own record label, releasing two of her own records, and has dabbled in acting.

Christina Aguilera hasn't had a great start past few months--she's gotten divorced, flubbed the lines to the National Anthem at the Super Bowl and fell during a performance at the 2011 Grammys. But she's had an impressive ride overall since winning her first Grammy in 2000--several Platinum album, a son, a marriage (and a divorce) and a starring role in the movie "Burlesque."

Lauryn Hill won Best New Artist in 1999, beating out the likes of the Backstreet Boys and the Dixie Chicks. She still performs, developing a reputation for showing up late to concerts) and is supposedly working on new music, though we'll believe it when we hear it.

The omnipresent "I Don't Want To Wait" was the soundtrack for many a love triangle on Dawson's Creek, but Paula Cole wasn't known for much else than that and winning the Best New Artist Grammy in 1998. She's still putting out albums and touring.

LeeAnn Rimes has been in the news recently more for her scandalous relationship with actor Eddie Cibrian (both were married when they got together) than her music. But in 1997, Rimes was a 14-year-old cherub with a voice like Patsy Cline's who beat out Jewel and No Doubt for the Grammy.

Now the punchline of many a joke, Hootie and the Blowfish were the biggest things going when they won the Best New Artist Grammy in 1996. Lead singer Darius Rucker has managed to reinvent himself as a successful solo country artist, while the Blowfish, well...tell us if you've heard from them.

It seems like just yesterday that "All I Wanna Do," the hit single off Sheryl Crow's debut album, was seemingly on the radio 24-7. But Crow won the Grammy in 1995, beating out Ace of Base and Green Day for the win. She's established a highly successful career recording and touring, with some acting stints in between, and adopted two children.

Toni Braxton's life has been quite the roller coaster ride since winning the Best New Artists Grammy (and wearing next to nothing) in 1994. Her most recent record debuted at the top of the Billboard charts, though her sales in general have dwindled in recent years. She's filed for bankruptcy twice, competed on "Dancing With the Stars" and had two children.

Arrested Development was oozing with promise when they won the Best New Artist Grammy in 1993, beating out Kris Kross(!) and Billy Ray Cyrus. But the band largely faded into oblivion after the win, though they still tour and record albums (they released their ninth in 2009).

The powerhouse that is Mariah Carey was just a shadow of the diva we know today when she won the Grammy in 1991 (she was up against Wilson Phillips and the Black Crowes). In the years since, she's sold millions of albums, made the much-maligned "Glitter," made a comeback, got raves for her performance in "Precious," got married and is pregnant with twins. Not bad.

The most infamous of the Best New Artist winners--and among the most infamous of musical acts overall--Milli Vanilli won the award in 1990--and were forced to give it back after it was revealed that the duo was lip-synching. Rob Pilatus died in 1998, but Fab Morvan still records and has tried staging comebacks over the years. A movie based on the pair is reportedly in the works.

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The winner of 2011's Best New Artist Grammy had many people--especially Justin Bieber fans--asking, "Esperanza who?" Which made us curious to see how previous winners have fared post-award. Answer? It's a mixed bag.

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