26 Deserving Artists Who Didn't Win Best New Artist Grammys

Not every musician is recognized for their potential as soon as they break out. If that were the case, the Recording Academy would have a lot more Best New Artist Grammys to produce. And those things are expensive. Take a look at all the incredible acts who lost out on the coveted award, and see how they've made up for it since. Up first, Florence + The Machine: 2011 was a tough year in the category. Flo, Drake, Justin Bieber and Mumford & Sons were all up against Esperanza Spalding, who ended up with the win. Bad call?

Sonny & Cher were a hit on television and the charts, but that wasn't enough to win them Best New Artist in 1965. After their nasty, public divorce, maybe it's best they didn't have to fight over custody of the trophy.

As one of the richest music moguls in hip-hop, Diddy (formerly known as Puff Daddy) has proven his staying power in the industry goes well beyond his loss in 1997: hit albums, singles, liquors, TV shows and clothing lines. What’s one less Grammy?

We guess the Recording Academy thought Garbage was fronted by a "Stupid Girl." WRONG. After their 1996 nomination, the band went on to record four more successful albums.

The soulful enchantress took neo-soul to new heights with her critically acclaimed debut, 'Baduizm,' but she lost the 1998 award to Paula Cole. Cole fizzled out after two singles, Badu's still making hit records.

Which hurt worse? Losing Best New Artist to Marc Cohn in 1991 or losing Heidi Klum as a wife? REMEMBER SEAL, you're the one with multiple No. 1 albums!

The R&B legend was a Grammy favorite, ultimately picking up eight awards in his lifetime. But he wasn't a favorite of the Academy in 1981—he lost to Sheena Easton.

1984 marked a year when all the Best New Artist nominees were foreign. The synth duo may have had "Sweet Dreams" of winning, but it went to their fellow Brits Culture Club.

That's right, Elton FREAKING John did not win Best New Artist in 1970. The Carpenters, who won, were tough contenders, but come on! It's Elton John!

The iconic rock group lost out on the 1969 award to fellow Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Crosby, Stills & Nash. Tough call on this one.

The venerable Elvis Costello lost out to Taste of Honey in 1978. Taste of Honey's big hit was "Boogie Oogie Oogie," which is exactly what Costello's been doing... all the way to the bank for the last 30+ years.

The entire EDM community let out a collective sigh when Skrillex lost in 2011. He was the first EDM artist to ever to be nominated proving that the Academy was down with dubstep, but, apparently, not that down. Bon Iver won.

Taylor Swift has an infamous "shocked face" when she wins awards. Wonder what it looked like when she lost Best New Artist in 2007 to Amy Winehouse?

The Academy decided Maroon 5 was the Best New Artist of 2004, but Kanye quickly got his revenge: he's now the proud owner of 18 Grammys.

In the ongoing fan war between Britney and Christina fans, there is one battle where Brit's army cannot claim victory: the Best New Artist Grammy in 1999. Xtina won.

Green Day broke out in 1994 with their bazillion-times Platinum 'Dookie' album. But it wasn't enough to score Best New Artist when up against Sheryl Crow.

Let's be honest: Gwen Stefani's abs should have won No Doubt Best New Artist in 1996 in a landslide. Fail, Recording Academy. You chose LeeAnn Rimes instead.

Even "the most beautiful voice in the world" didn't win Best New Artist. It went to Lauryn Hill in 1998.

'Jagged Little Pill' was Alanis' universally acclaimed debut album selling millions of copies worldwide. That wasn't enough to convince the Academy to award her Best New Artist in 1995... but it did nab Album of the Year in 1996. Anyone else confused?

The soulful sounds of Boyz II Men lost out on the award in 1991 to—wait for it—one-hit wonder Marc Cohn. Ugh. We feel for you guys.

The Go-Go's sang "We Got the Beat" in their famous single, but in 1982 they admitted "We got beat by Sheena Easton for Best New Artist."

Pretenders lost out to Christopher Cross in 1980, but at least they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005. Can't win 'em all.

One-hit wonder and country crooner Bobbie Gentry beat out trippy Jefferson Airplane in 1965. Too groovy for ya, Grammy board?

1969 was a tough year: Crosby, Stills & Nash against Led Zeppelin? But we can't help but feel for Chicago, who have yet to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame like their fellow nominees.

The Blues Brothers lost to Rickie Lee Jones but cemented themselves into the pop culture zeitgeist with their movie, music and Super Bowl performance. Big mistake on this one, Grammy board!

We're sure all the reporters were preparing clever puns for Foreigner's win with their breakout single, "Feels Like the First Time." But all those puns went to waste when the band lost out to Debbie Boone in 1978.