Artists from across the Canadian music scene were celebrated Saturday at the Juno Awards gala. Rapper TOBi, alternative singer Aysanabee and pop star Tate McRae became the big winners, while among Quebecers, Charlotte Cardin, Elisapie and Les Cowboys Fringants stood out.
The top three each won two Junos. Here and Now by Oji-Cree musician Aysanabee was named Alternative Album of the Year, while he also won Songwriter of the Year.
Panicby Toronto rapper TOBi, was named rap album of the year and his track Someone I Knew won the award for rap single of the year.
And even though McRae, a Calgary native, wasn’t in attendance, she took home two of the night’s biggest prizes. His success Greedy was chosen as single of the year and she won the award for artist of the year, a category in which Charlotte Cardin was also nominated.
Another double winner found himself in the most surreal circumstances of the Juno Awards as producer Shawn Everett took home his second award of the night while speaking backstage about his first.
Everett was first named producer of the year for his work with Miley Cyrus and Alabama Shakes member Brittany Howard.
Dressed in huge black platform shoes and flaunting sumptuous dreadlocksEverett watched in bewilderment as a live broadcast from the main hall as one of the hosts accepted his second victory in his honor.
” I won ? It’s crazy,” Everett said backstage upon learning he had also been named recording engineer of the year.
“It’s a surreal moment for me. It’s weird. »
Everett then had another chance to accept his second award in front of his peers, which he used to thank his agent and family.
Quebecers in force
Other winners at Saturday’s event included singer Charlotte Cardin, who came into this year’s Junos with six nominations. Her 99 Nights won pop album of the year.
Inuk singer Elisapie was awarded the contemporary indigenous artist prize.
With a particular tone, the prize for best French-speaking album went to Cowboys Fringants with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. The prize was collected by the group’s bassist, Jérôme Dupras, visibly affected, preferring not to extend his thanks.
Montreal brutal death metal band Cryptopsy won the metal/hard album of the year award for Ace Gomorrah Burns and DJ Blond:ish, that of the Underground Dance Single.
In a different register, the group Constantinople, also from Montreal, won the prize for best classical small ensemble album.
The music video of the year was awarded to Demons by Allison Russell, directed by fellow Montrealer Ethan Tobman. Russell accepted the award on his behalf.
The graphic designers of La Belle province were also in the spotlight since the album Symphonic Riopelle — Montreal Symphony Orchestra won Album Art of the Year.
Other early winners on Saturday included Newfoundland and Labrador trio the Swinging Belles, who took home the children’s album prize, and Toronto DJ and producer Bambii, whose Infinity Club was named electronic album of the year.
“I’m just a sum of all the communities I’ve been through,” the second-generation Caribbean DJ said after her win.
Ontario group The Woodville won country album of the year for Ahead of Our Time.
Toronto group The Beaches, who saw their single Blame Brett becoming a sensation on TikTok last year, saw her album Blame My Ex winning the award for rock album of the year.
The James Barker Band won country album for Ahead of Our Timewhile Toronto music collective New West won the emerging group award.
The event preceded Sunday’s CBC telecast, hosted by Nelly Furtado, where prestigious awards will include People’s Choice and Album of the Year.
Sunday’s show will also celebrate this year’s Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee, rapper Maestro Fresh Wes, and Halifax native Elliot Page will present Tegan and Sara with the Humanitarian Award for their work on behalf of young LGBTQ+ people.