The Grammys, often considered the “Oscars of music,” have honored some of the greatest musicians of all time. But believe it or not, there are several iconic artists who have never won a Grammy, despite influencing generations and making chart-topping hits.
Whether due to tough competition, overlooked nominations, or the Recording Academy’s mysterious choices, these A-list singers remain Grammy-less! Get ready to be shocked as we reveal the Top 10 Celebrities with No Grammy Award — and you won’t believe who clinches the number one spot!
10. The Notorious B.I.G.
The legendary rapper, The Notorious B.I.G., is undoubtedly one of the most influential figures in hip-hop history. Despite his massive success and cultural impact, Biggie never took home a Grammy during his lifetime, or even posthumously.
This is especially surprising given the commercial success of his iconic albums, particularly Life After Death, which was certified diamond after selling over 10 million copies in 1997.
9. Busta Rhymes
Busta Rhymes, known for his incredible speed, unique voice, and electric stage presence, has been a mainstay in the rap game for decades. Over his career, he’s been nominated for 12 Grammys — that’s right, 12 — but has yet to win a single one!
Busta’s Grammy snubs are especially painful considering he lost the Best Rap Solo Performance award in 1998 and 1999 to Will Smith’s Men In Black. Despite his immense contribution to hip-hop, the Grammys seem to have overlooked this rap icon time and time again.
8. ABBA
How can one of the most commercially successful bands in history not have a Grammy? It’s almost unimaginable, but ABBA never won a Grammy award during their illustrious career — not even a nomination while they were still active!
This Swedish supergroup, responsible for some of the catchiest pop hits ever — Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia, Waterloo — was finally acknowledged by the Recording Academy when Dancing Queen was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2015. But still, no actual Grammy award!
7. Nas
Regarded as one of the greatest lyricists in rap, Nas has released hit album after hit album. Yet, the Grammy gods have remained silent on giving him an award. With 13 nominations and eight consecutive platinum and multi-platinum albums under his belt, Nas still hasn’t managed to win.
The rapper came close, but no cigar. Nas is one of those artists whose influence on hip-hop is undeniable, and although he hasn’t won yet, many believe it’s only a matter of time.
6. Snoop Dogg
You’d think 17 Grammy nominations would lead to at least one win, right? Wrong. Snoop Dogg, one of the most beloved figures in music, has zero Grammy wins despite being nominated a staggering 17 times.
The West Coast rap icon has been snubbed so many times, it’s become almost a running joke among fans. But in true Snoop fashion, he’s brushed off the losses, saying in 2018, “I don’t focus on awards anymore.”
5.Tupac Shakur
One of the most respected and influential rappers in the world, Tupac Shakur, tragically never received a Grammy during his lifetime, despite being nominated six times.
The Grammy snub is even more shocking given Tupac’s status as a trailblazer in the rap genre, with hits like California Love and Dear Mama. To this day, he has not been honored with a posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award or Hall of Fame induction.
4. Sia
Known for her incredible voice and massive hits like Chandelier and Titanium (with David Guetta), Sia is another artist whose Grammy wins have strangely eluded her. Despite nine nominations, she has yet to take home the coveted golden gramophone.
It’s hard to believe that an artist with such a huge global presence and countless iconic songs hasn’t secured a Grammy win, but Sia remains positive and continues to release hits that dominate the charts.
3. Bob Marley
Perhaps the most shocking omission from the Grammy winners list is the reggae legend, Bob Marley. Marley is universally regarded as the king of reggae and a symbol of peace, love, and unity, yet he never won a competitive Grammy award.
Incredibly, Marley received his first and only Grammy nomination in 2002 for Best Long Form Music Video, more than two decades after his passing, for the documentary Rebel Music: The Bob Marley Story. It’s baffling that such an iconic figure in music has been so underrecognized by the Grammys.
2. Katy Perry
Katy Perry has dominated the pop charts for years with her infectiously catchy songs like Teenage Dream, Firework, and Roar. But despite being nominated 13 times, the “California Gurls” singer has never taken home a Grammy.
Many fans are stunned by this — especially considering Perry’s massive impact on pop music throughout the 2010s. However, with years of music ahead of her, there’s still hope for Katy to get her hands on that elusive Grammy.
1. Nicki Minaj
And the number one celebrity without a Grammy is none other than Nicki Minaj! That’s right, the Queen of Rap herself, with her impressive catalog of hits, has 10 nominations but no wins.
Nicki’s Grammy snub reached a fever pitch in 2019 when she wasn’t even nominated for the ceremony, while her rival Cardi B scooped up five nominations, winning one. This only added fuel to the ongoing feud between the two rap queens. Despite the Grammy snubs, Nicki Minaj remains one of the most influential and successful female rappers in history, and her fans are still hoping for that Grammy breakthrough!
And there you have it! These 10 superstars have achieved global success, defined genres, and influenced countless artists, yet the Grammy remains out of reach for them. But who knows? The Grammy gods might just smile down on them one day!