On February 24, 1993, Arrested Development became the first rappers to win “Best New Artist” at the 35th Grammy Awards after the release of their album 3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life Of…. This was significant achievement as it was hip-hop’s first win in one of the Grammys’ four major categories (along with Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Record of the Year).
Arrested Development won Best New Artist over Billy Ray Cyrus, Sophie B. Hawkins, Kris Kross and Jon Secada. Tone Loc was the first rapper to be nominated for Best New Artist in 1990 at the 32nd Grammy Awards. On that night, the group also won Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for Tennessee off their album 3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life Of….
Purchase our 100 Hip-Hop Facts (1973-2000) Book
Read: DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince were the first rappers to win a Grammy
Read: Naughty by Nature’s “Poverty’s Paradise” was the first album to win Best Rap Album at the Grammys
