(Halifax) Singer Charlotte Cardin, nominated in six categories, won pop album of the year and Inuk Elisapie won contemporary indigenous artist at the Juno Awards opening night on Saturday evening.
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 and who preferred not to extend his thanks.
Dominique Fils-Aimé received the prize for vocal jazz album of the year.
Montreal brutal death metal band Cryptopsy won the Metal/Hard Album of the Year award for Ace Gomorrah Burns. DJ Blond: ish left with the Underground Dance Single.
In a different register, the group Constantinople, also from Montreal, won the prize for best classical small ensemble album.
Ontario group The Woodville won country album of the year for Ahead of Our Timewhile Toronto’s Tobi won the rap single of the year with his song Someone I Know.
Other early winners on Saturday included Newfoundland and Labrador trio the Swinging Belles, who bagged 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.
The event precedes Sunday’s CBC telecast, hosted by Nelly Furtado, where prestigious awards will include People’s Choice and Album of the Year.