I don’t think I need to introduce Esperanza Spalding anymore—a high-ranking trend on Google search and Twitter, plus the defacing of her Wikipedia profile, tells me people know her enough for me not to do a whole profile on her. But basically, she’s a very successful jazz musician at the ripe age of 26, has released three albums, and has been embraced by Prince and President Obama.

But the majority of the American public, including me, didn’t know who she was until her name was not only announced as a Grammy nominee two months ago, and announced as the winner of the Best New Artist award last night. Even the overwhelmed Spalding didn’t think she had a chance against favorites Justin Bieber and Drake, along with British favorites Florence and the Machine and Mumford and Sons.

Since then, there have been comments—ranging from the not-so-nice to the downright nasty—made about her win. For example, “no one heard of her before, so why should she win?” or “JUSTIN BIEBER DESERVED IT GO DIE IN A HOLE” (I’m not too sure what was exactly written and there are many other sources on the internet, as well as Wikipedia itself, where you can go find out what was written verbatim), as well as some critics’ belief that Justin Bieber had a phenomenal year sales and popularity-wise, and that’s what the award should merit.

I’m not putting Bieber down, because I get what he has to offer and the fact he took not only the US but the world by storm, and I’m certainly not saying anyone is wrong for having the viewpoints they have. They’re valid points: Justin Bieber has had a phenomenal year, and had they judged based on sales and popularity, there’s no doubt in my mind that statuette would have gone to him.

However, I don’t think the Academy wanted to bestow its award on a phenomenon—anyone remember the Milli Vanilli fiasco? I’m not saying Justin Bieber doesn’t sing his own music, but I think the Academy knows better than to award huge phenomenons now.

Taking a look at this list, it’s a pretty prestigious award to receive, and although many on the left are totally deserving of it, there’s also a lot of artists/groups on the right which have equally deserved it as well—people like Duffy, Shania Twain, Seal, Elton John, Led Zepplin, Chicago, all of them didn’t receive the award their years. I don’t know if Justin Bieber is really up at this level, as only time will tell, but let’s remember other artists like Britney Spears, Taylor Swift, The Jonas Brothers, and Chris Brown have been nominated and have either dipped or is dipping in popularity (Britney is on the rise, but there were times where her career almost hit the floor).

But this year, I think the Academy made the right choice with their pick of Esperanza Spalding. I know, and like, the other four nominees, but after exposing myself to Esperanza’s works and taking in what she has to offer, as well as reading up on her, there wasn’t a better choice than her.

Albeit slightly unconventional in her choices (she received her GED at 16, while most parents tend to have their children finish high school for heir diploma), Esperanza is an inspiration to many aspiring to be musicians because of how normal she seems to be—her primary contact and catalyst to learn music was from watching Yo Yo Ma on Mister Rogers’ Neighbourhood. She was self-disciplined and was able to learn a plethora of musical instruments, and is also well-cultured, shown by her appreciation for Brazilian music and her ability to sing not only in English but in Spanish and Portuguese as well. The prodigy and specialness only comes through after her high school years—she became the youngest bassist in Portland State’s history, and also became the youngest instructor at Berklee College, being hired after her graduation at 20 years of age.

I think she has the whole package: she’s attractive; she’s well-rounded with her ability to sing, compose, and play a variety of instruments; and has what seems to be an amazingly humble, respectable personality. Of course I’m not saying I liked her straightaway—I had trouble with her music at first because it was that different from the mainstream. But after giving her a couple songs, she totally won me over with her relaxing instrumentals and phenomenal voice; if I were to compare her voice, it has an Adele-like soulfulness, but is a pitch or so higher. She has a unique voice, and it’s absolutely amazing, especially in one of my favorites lyrically and musically, Precious (live from Letterman in 2009). Can I just say not only does it sound just like the studio version, but it sounds better?

Of course, having her play in a genre not many people are exposed to will be a huge obstacle to overcome for her, but there’s no way she’s undeserving of the title of Best New Artist. Justin Bieber may have the popularity and phenomenon, but Esperanza Spalding definitely has the talent; the comments at the end of the Precious performance say it all.

I dig her, and I hope you do, too.