What is the Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance
The Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance is a category at the Annual Grammy Awards that honors outstanding vocal or instrumental pop recordings by an artist performing alone. Introduced in 2012, the award serves as the official replacement for the discontinued gendered categories Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. It focuses on high-quality pop recordings presented by a single artist, distinguishing itself from duo or group performances and from pop vocal or pop duo group categories that may include collaborators.
This explainer outlines the category’s rules, criteria, and history, and profiles notable winners and recordings to provide a durable reference for understanding the award.
Key eligibility and submission requirements
To enter the Best Pop Solo Performance category, recordings must meet specific eligibility criteria defined by the Recording Academy. These requirements determine whether a track qualifies as a solo pop performance and how it should be entered.
- The recording must be a single track in the pop genre.
- No more than one featured vocalist may appear; duets are ineligible and should be entered in other appropriate categories.
- Vocals must be predominantly human; substantial use of artificial vocal generation is restricted.
- New or altered lyrics may be permitted under certain conditions, with transparent notes provided on the submission.
- The track must be released within the Grammy Awards eligibility year window.
Vocal and instrumental considerations
The category accepts both vocal and instrumental pop solos, though vocal tracks typically compete more frequently. Submissions are evaluated on musical and artistic merit, originality, and technical excellence. Producers, engineers, and songwriters may be recognized as award recipients where eligible, in accordance with Academy rules for the specific year of submission.
Notable winners and landmark recordings
Since its inception in 2012, the Best Pop Solo Performance category has recognized a diverse range of artists and recordings that exemplify strong songwriting, vocal performance, and production within the pop idiom.
| Year | Winner(s) | Title | Role(s) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 (54th) | Adele | Set Fire to the Rain | Vocalist | Official Grammy records |
| 2016 (58th) | Adele | Hello | Vocalist | Official Grammy records |
| 2017 (59th) | Ed Sheeran | Shape of You | Vocalist | Official Grammy records |
| 2021 (63rd) | Dua Lipa | Don't Start Now | Vocalist | Official Grammy records |
| 2024 (66th) | Olivia Rodrigo | vampire | Vocalist | Official Grammy records |
How the category differs from similar Grammy categories
Because the Grammy Awards contain multiple pop-related categories, it is important to distinguish Best Pop Solo Performance from others to ensure correct classification of recordings.
- Best Pop Solo Performance: A single artist performing a pop track with no featured vocalists.
- Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: Recognizes pop recordings by two or more artists whose vocals or instrumentation are proportionally similar and interdependent.
- Best Pop Vocal Album: Covers albums containing at least 51 percent playing time of new vocal or instrumental pop recordings.
- Best Pop Dance/Electronic Album: Focuses on albums in the dance-pop or electronic-pop spectrum, with different production and genre considerations.
Judging criteria and artistic impact
Recordings are evaluated based on artistic and musical achievement across several dimensions. Emphasis is placed on songwriting, vocal delivery, arrangement, and overall production quality. The category does not require lyrics to be in English, but the track must fit the broad definition of pop music as determined by the category judging panel.
The award can influence streaming performance, radio play, and catalog value, often increasing visibility for both emerging and established artists. Wins and nominations typically highlight tracks that combine strong melodic content with commercially viable production, reinforcing the artist’s presence in the global pop landscape.
Rules regarding features and alternate categories
A defining rule for this category is the restriction on featured vocalists. If a pop recording includes a featured vocal, it must be entered into Best Pop Duo/Group Performance or another appropriate collaborative category. Instrumental pop solos are eligible in Best Pop Solo Performance provided they meet the genre definition and do not rely on vocal quotations or prominent samples in place of original performance.
References and further resources
- Recording Academy Grammy Awards rules and guidelines for Best Pop Solo Performance (current eligibility year).
- Past winners database accessible via the official Grammy website.
- Category descriptions and judging criteria published by the Recording Academy.