Spotify’s Best New Artist Party was an exciting and star-studded night of fun in Hollywood, with people from all over the Entertainment Industry gathered together to celebrate the success of eight musical newcomers nominated for the Grammy Award “Best New Artist.” We had the chance to catch up with two much-talked-about acts that are nominated for the coveted award this year, Black Pumas and Tank and the Bangas.
Black Pumas, one of the nominees for Best New Artist, told us that theyโve gone through โa myriad of oceans togetherโ and itโs โsurrealโ to be nominated for Best New Artist. Their difference in age and experience (Adrian Quesada and Eric Burton are 15 years apart, and Quesada has earned a grammy before with his previous act, Grupo Fantasma) makes their relationship โvery yin and yang.โ Everything where Iโm like โOh, I could use some help on that is exactly what heโs good atโ (Burton). When asked about what direction their music will take after this honor, Black Pumas hinted at greater creative boldness: โthe more we create with each other, the more eclectic the music feelsโ – weโre excited to see their upcoming daring in their art.
Tank and the Bangas, another nominee for Best New Artist, told us that this nomination meant a great deal because it is โsomething you can only get onceโ and is a โplatform to take [their] music in new directions – itโs another level.โ These new opportunities just remind them โto be more authentically selfโ and remain themselves, not go with the wave, and โcreate with the heartโ. Some of their biggest inspirations for that are seeing how โpeople are impacted by their music – itโs like, oh wow, this had purpose now.โ Having their fans repeatedly come to shows, and telling them how their music has helped them through difficult times is profound for them – it reminds them that โnow, your work has meaning.โ
