List of awards and nominations received by Nirvana
Encyclopedia
Nirvana
was an American rock
band formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain
and bassist Krist Novoselic
in Aberdeen
, Washington. The band went through a succession of drummers and eventually settled on Dave Grohl
, who joined the band in 1990. They have released three studio albums: Bleach
(1989), Nevermind
(1991), and In Utero
(1993). The first album was released on the Sub Pop
record label, while the remaining albums were released by DGC Records
.
The band received several awards and nominations in their debut year in 1992, including nominations for Favorite New Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Artist from the American Music Awards
, Best Alternative Music Performance for Nevermind from the Grammy Awards, and Video of the Year
and Viewer's Choice for "Smells Like Teen Spirit
" from the MTV Video Music Awards
. They received the Best Alternative Video award for "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and Best New Artist from the MTV Video Music Awards in the same year. The song "Smells Like Teen Spirit" was also nominated for Best Rock Song at the 1993 Grammy Awards
, but it lost to "Layla
" by Eric Clapton
. Clapton's win over Nirvana would later be named one of the "10 biggest upsets" in Grammy history by Entertainment Weekly
. After receiving five nominations from the Grammy Awards without winning any of them, the band finally received the Best Alternative Music Performance award for MTV Unplugged In New York
in 1996. Overall, Nirvana has received nine awards from twenty-four nominations.
|-
| || Nirvana
|| Favorite New Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Artist ||
|-
| || Nirvana
|| Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Artist ||
are the British Phonographic Industry
's annual pop music awards. Nirvana has won one award from three nomination.
|-
| 1993 || Nirvana || Best International Newcomer ||
|-
| 1993 || Nirvana || Best International Group ||
|-
| 1994 || Nirvana || Best International Group ||
s are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
of the United States. Nirvana has received one award from six nominations.
|-
| || Nevermind
|| Best Alternative Music Performance ||
|-
| || "Smells Like Teen Spirit
" || Best Rock Song ||
|-
| || In Utero
|| Best Alternative Music Performance ||
|-
|rowspan="2"| ||rowspan="2"| "All Apologies
" || Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group ||
|-
| Best Rock Song ||
|-
| || MTV Unplugged In New York
|| Best Alternative Music Performance ||
is an annual awards ceremony established in 1984 by MTV
. Nirvana has received five awards from ten nominations.
|-
|rowspan="4"| ||rowspan="3"| "Smells Like Teen Spirit" || Best Alternative Video ||
|-
| Video of the Year
||
|-
| Viewer's Choice ||
|-
| Nirvana || Best New Artist ||
|-
| || "In Bloom
" || Best Alternative Video ||
|-
|rowspan="5"| ||rowspan="5"| "Heart-Shaped Box
" || Best Alternative Video ||
|-
| Best Art Direction ||
|-
| Video of the Year ||
|-
| Best Cinematography ||
|-
| Viewer's Choice ||
, the NME Awards
are awarded annually. Nirvana has won one award from three nominations.
|-
| 2005 || With the Lights Out || Best Music DVD ||
|-
| 2008 || MTV Unplugged in New York
|| Best Music DVD ||
|-
| 2010 || Live at Reading || Best DVD ||
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
was an American rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain
Kurt Donald Cobain was an American singer-songwriter, musician and artist, best known as the lead singer and guitarist of the grunge band Nirvana...
and bassist Krist Novoselic
Krist Novoselic
Krist Anthony Novoselic II is a Croatian-American rock musician, best known for being the bassist and co-founder of the grunge band Nirvana. After Nirvana ended, Novoselic formed Sweet 75 and then Eyes Adrift, releasing one album with each band...
in Aberdeen
Aberdeen, Washington
Aberdeen is a city in Grays Harbor County, Washington, United States, founded by Samuel Benn in 1884. Aberdeen was incorporated on May 12, 1890. The city is the economic center of Grays Harbor County, bordering the cities of Hoquiam and Cosmopolis...
, Washington. The band went through a succession of drummers and eventually settled on Dave Grohl
Dave Grohl
David Eric "Dave" Grohl is an American rock musician, multi-instrumentalist, and singer-songwriter who is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter for Foo Fighters; the former drummer for Nirvana and Scream; and the current drummer for Them Crooked Vultures...
, who joined the band in 1990. They have released three studio albums: Bleach
Bleach (album)
Bleach is the debut album by the American rock band Nirvana, released in June 1989 through the independent record label Sub Pop. The main recording sessions took place at Reciprocal Recording in Seattle, Washington between December 1988 and January 1989...
(1989), Nevermind
Nevermind
Nevermind is the second studio album by the American rock band Nirvana, released on September 24, 1991. Produced by Butch Vig, Nevermind was the group's first release on DGC Records...
(1991), and In Utero
In Utero
In Utero is the third and final studio album by the American grunge band Nirvana, released on September 13, 1993, on DGC Records. Nirvana intended the record to diverge significantly from the polished production of its previous album, Nevermind...
(1993). The first album was released on the Sub Pop
Sub Pop
Sub Pop is a record label founded in 1986 by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in Seattle, Washington. Sub Pop achieved fame in the late 1980s for first signing Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and many other bands from the Seattle music scene...
record label, while the remaining albums were released by DGC Records
DGC Records
DGC Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and currently operates as an auxiliary label of Interscope Records.-Company history:...
.
The band received several awards and nominations in their debut year in 1992, including nominations for Favorite New Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Artist from the American Music Awards
American Music Awards
-Conception:The AMAs were created by Dick Clark in 1973 to compete with the Grammys after the move of that year's show to Nashville, Tennessee led to CBS picking up the Grammy telecasts after its first two in 1971 and 1972 were broadcast on ABC...
, Best Alternative Music Performance for Nevermind from the Grammy Awards, and Video of the Year
Video of the Year
Video of the Year may refer to:*BET Award for Video of the Year*Grammy Award for Video of the Year*Juno Award for Video of the Year*MTV Pilipinas for Video of the Year*MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year...
and Viewer's Choice for "Smells Like Teen Spirit
Smells Like Teen Spirit
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" is a song by the American grunge band Nirvana. It is the opening track and lead single from the band's second album, Nevermind , released on DGC Records...
" from the MTV Video Music Awards
MTV Video Music Awards
An MTV Video Music Award , is an award presented by the cable channel MTV to honor the best in music videos...
. They received the Best Alternative Video award for "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and Best New Artist from the MTV Video Music Awards in the same year. The song "Smells Like Teen Spirit" was also nominated for Best Rock Song at the 1993 Grammy Awards
Grammy Awards of 1993
The 35th Grammy Awards were held in 1993. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the previous year. Eric Clapton was the night's big winner, winning 6 awards including Album of the Year.-Award winners:*Record of the Year...
, but it lost to "Layla
Layla
"Layla" is a song written by Eric Clapton and Jim Gordon, originally released by their blues-rock band, Derek and the Dominos, as the thirteenth track from their album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs...
" by Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
. Clapton's win over Nirvana would later be named one of the "10 biggest upsets" in Grammy history by Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
. After receiving five nominations from the Grammy Awards without winning any of them, the band finally received the Best Alternative Music Performance award for MTV Unplugged In New York
MTV Unplugged in New York
MTV Unplugged in New York is a live album by the American rock band Nirvana. It features an acoustic performance taped at Sony Music Studios in New York City on November 18, 1993 for the television series MTV Unplugged. The show was directed by Beth McCarthy and first aired on the cable television...
in 1996. Overall, Nirvana has received nine awards from twenty-four nominations.
American Music Awards
The American Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony created by Dick Clark in 1973. Nirvana has received one award from two nominations.|-
| || Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
|| Favorite New Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Artist ||
|-
| || Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
|| Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Artist ||
BRIT Awards
The BRIT AwardsBrit Awards
The Brit Awards are the British Phonographic Industry's annual pop music awards. The name was originally a shortened form of "British", "Britain" or "Britannia", but subsequently became a backronym for British Record Industry Trust...
are the British Phonographic Industry
British Phonographic Industry
The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies...
's annual pop music awards. Nirvana has won one award from three nomination.
|-
| 1993 || Nirvana || Best International Newcomer ||
|-
| 1993 || Nirvana || Best International Group ||
|-
| 1994 || Nirvana || Best International Group ||
Grammy Awards
The Grammy AwardGrammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
s are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc., known variously as The Recording Academy or NARAS, is a U.S. organization of musicians, producers, recording engineers and other recording professionals dedicated to improving the quality of life and cultural condition for music and its...
of the United States. Nirvana has received one award from six nominations.
|-
| || Nevermind
Nevermind
Nevermind is the second studio album by the American rock band Nirvana, released on September 24, 1991. Produced by Butch Vig, Nevermind was the group's first release on DGC Records...
|| Best Alternative Music Performance ||
|-
| || "Smells Like Teen Spirit
Smells Like Teen Spirit
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" is a song by the American grunge band Nirvana. It is the opening track and lead single from the band's second album, Nevermind , released on DGC Records...
" || Best Rock Song ||
|-
| || In Utero
In Utero
In Utero is the third and final studio album by the American grunge band Nirvana, released on September 13, 1993, on DGC Records. Nirvana intended the record to diverge significantly from the polished production of its previous album, Nevermind...
|| Best Alternative Music Performance ||
|-
|rowspan="2"| ||rowspan="2"| "All Apologies
All Apologies
"All Apologies" is a song by the American grunge band Nirvana, written by frontman Kurt Cobain. It was released as the second single from the band's third album, In Utero, which was released on September 21, 1993...
" || Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group ||
|-
| Best Rock Song ||
|-
| || MTV Unplugged In New York
MTV Unplugged in New York
MTV Unplugged in New York is a live album by the American rock band Nirvana. It features an acoustic performance taped at Sony Music Studios in New York City on November 18, 1993 for the television series MTV Unplugged. The show was directed by Beth McCarthy and first aired on the cable television...
|| Best Alternative Music Performance ||
MTV Video Music Awards
The MTV Video Music AwardsMTV Video Music Awards
An MTV Video Music Award , is an award presented by the cable channel MTV to honor the best in music videos...
is an annual awards ceremony established in 1984 by MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
. Nirvana has received five awards from ten nominations.
|-
|rowspan="4"| ||rowspan="3"| "Smells Like Teen Spirit" || Best Alternative Video ||
|-
| Video of the Year
Video of the Year
Video of the Year may refer to:*BET Award for Video of the Year*Grammy Award for Video of the Year*Juno Award for Video of the Year*MTV Pilipinas for Video of the Year*MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year...
||
|-
| Viewer's Choice ||
|-
| Nirvana || Best New Artist ||
|-
| || "In Bloom
In Bloom
"In Bloom" is a song by the American grunge band Nirvana. Written by frontman Kurt Cobain, the song addresses people outside of the underground music community who did not understand the band's message....
" || Best Alternative Video ||
|-
|rowspan="5"| ||rowspan="5"| "Heart-Shaped Box
Heart-Shaped Box
"Heart-Shaped Box" is a song by the American grunge band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain. The song was released as the first single from the group's third and final studio album, In Utero, in 1993. It was one of two songs from the album mixed by Scott Litt in order to augment...
" || Best Alternative Video ||
|-
| Best Art Direction ||
|-
| Video of the Year ||
|-
| Best Cinematography ||
|-
| Viewer's Choice ||
NME Awards
Founded by the British music magazine NMENME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
, the NME Awards
NME Awards
The NME Awards is an annual music awards show in the United Kingdom, founded by the music magazine, NME .The first awards show was held in 1953 as the NME Poll Winners Concerts, shortly after the founding of the magazine....
are awarded annually. Nirvana has won one award from three nominations.
|-
| 2005 || With the Lights Out || Best Music DVD ||
|-
| 2008 || MTV Unplugged in New York
MTV Unplugged in New York
MTV Unplugged in New York is a live album by the American rock band Nirvana. It features an acoustic performance taped at Sony Music Studios in New York City on November 18, 1993 for the television series MTV Unplugged. The show was directed by Beth McCarthy and first aired on the cable television...
|| Best Music DVD ||
|-
| 2010 || Live at Reading || Best DVD ||