Tate McRae Scores Surprise First Grammy Nomination for Dance Track

Tate McRae is officially a Grammy nominee. The singer earned her first career nomination for the 2026 Grammy Awards. Her song “Just Keep Watching” is up for Best Dance Pop Recording.

The nomination comes from the track’s feature on the ‘F1’ movie soundtrack. This marks a major career milestone for the 21-year-old artist. According to Billboard, the nomination was announced Friday morning.

Album Snub Highlights Surprising Nomination Path

This solo nomination arrives as a surprise to many industry watchers. McRae’s third studio album, ‘So Close to What,’ was completely shut out. That album recently earned her first No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 chart.

The album’s promotional campaign was extensive and highly visible. She performed on major platforms like ‘SNL’ and the ‘VMAs’. Despite this success, the Grammy recognition came from an unexpected source.

Eligibility Rules Clarify Best New Artist Absence

Some fans questioned her absence from the Best New Artist category. However, McRae was not eligible for that award. The Recording Academy limits artists to three submissions in that category.

McRae had already reached that submission limit in prior years. This clarifies why her breakthrough commercial success did not translate to a Best New Artist nod. Her recognition in the dance pop category underscores her musical versatility.

This first Grammy nomination for Tate McRae validates her artistic growth beyond pop radio. It signals a promising new direction for the young performer’s career.

Thought you’d like to know

What song earned Tate McRae her Grammy nomination?

She was nominated for “Just Keep Watching.” The song is featured on the ‘F1’ movie soundtrack starring Brad Pitt. It is competing in the Best Dance Pop Recording category.

Was Tate McRae’s album nominated for a Grammy?

No, her album ‘So Close to What’ received no nominations. This surprised many given its commercial success. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Why wasn’t Tate McRae nominated for Best New Artist?

She was not eligible for the Best New Artist category. Artists can only be submitted three times for that award. McRae had already reached that submission limit in previous years.

Who is Tate McRae competing against in her category?

She faces strong competition from major artists. The category includes Selena Gomez, Lady Gaga, and Zara Larsson. PinkPantheress is also nominated for her song “Illegal.”

What was Tate McRae’s reaction to the nomination?

She expressed excitement on her Instagram Stories. McRae wrote “Grammy nominated!!!!!! Thank u!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” She tagged the Recording Academy in her celebratory post.

Trusted Sources

Billboard, Recording Academy, Associated Press