Many corners of CanadaB次元官网网址檚 diverse musical landscape will be represented at the Grammy Awards on Sunday in one of the strongest and most eclectic showings in recent memory.
Whether itB次元官网网址檚 global superstars, classical artists or behind-the-scenes creators, the homegrown nominees representing this year cover an array of genres and styles.
Pop music audio engineer and mixer Serban Ghenea leads the pack with seven nominations, while rapper Drake and folk singer Allison Russell each have four.
Most of the 94 Grammy categories, including many awards with Canadian nominees, are handed out at a pre-telecast ceremony which streams live on Grammy.com.
The 66th Grammy Awards hosted by Trevor Noah airs on Citytv and CBS.
Here are five Canadian things to watch for:
THE LEADER:
Since Ghenea already has an incredible 19 Grammys on his mantle, he may need to invest in another shelf after this yearB次元官网网址檚 ceremony. As the top Canadian nominee, the Romania-born, Canada-raised pop wizard ends up competing against himself in several categories for different projects. In record of the year, his efforts making Taylor SwiftB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址淎nti-Hero,B次元官网网址 Olivia RodrigoB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址淰ampireB次元官网网址 and Jon BatisteB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址淲orshipB次元官网网址 are all chasing the title. For album of the year, heB次元官网网址檚 named for SwiftB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址淢idnightsB次元官网网址 and RodrigoB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址淕uts.B次元官网网址 And in the best pop dance recording category, he has two hits with DJ and producer David Guetta that are vying for a trophy.
THE SURPRISE:
With nine Grammy wins, itB次元官网网址檚 a shock that Joni Mitchell has never performed at the big show. But the 80-year-old singer-songwriter will soon cross that experience off her list after organizers confirmed her participation in a surprise announcement a few days ago. ThereB次元官网网址檚 much secrecy around whether other notable musicians might join Mitchell on stage. Since the Grammys love a live collaboration, and sheB次元官网网址檚 one of musicB次元官网网址檚 most legendary living performers, thereB次元官网网址檚 likely a long list of willing participants. Mitchell is also nominated in the best folk album category for a live album recorded in June 2022 as she returned to the stage following years of health setbacks. It competes with B次元官网网址淔olkocracyB次元官网网址 from fellow Canadian singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright.
THE RISING STAR:
While Allison Russell has been lauded by critics and showered with Grammy nominations in recent years, sheB次元官网网址檚 yet to win one of the golden honours. That could change as she holds four nominations for B次元官网网址淭he Returner.B次元官网网址 Her second record is up for best Americana album, while the title track is in the running for best Americana performance, as well as American roots song. Her song B次元官网网址淓ve Was BlackB次元官网网址 is among the nominees for American roots performance.
THE RETURN:
ItB次元官网网址檚 not exactly a full-fledged Grammys comeback, but Drake appears to be softening his stance against the awards show. After several years of boycotting by not submitting his solo material for consideration, the Toronto artist garnered four nominations for tracks from his 2022 album. HereB次元官网网址檚 the catch B次元官网网址 theyB次元官网网址檙e technically all collaborations since his album B次元官网网址淗er LossB次元官网网址 was created in partnership with Atlanta rapper 21 Savage. DrakeB次元官网网址檚 nods are in categories for best rap album, melodic rap performance, rap song and rap performance. The real test for whether he and the Grammys make amends will be next year when B次元官网网址淔or All the Dogs,B次元官网网址 his latest solo album, is eligible for consideration.
THE OTHERS:
Among the first-time Grammy contenders is Toronto band Alvvays, who landed a nomination for best alternative music performance with their indie hit B次元官网网址淏elinda Says.B次元官网网址 Montreal conductor and pianist Yannick N茅zet-S茅guin looks to extend his three wins with another two nominations in classical categories.
ThereB次元官网网址檚 also Halifax-raised Henry Walter, known as producer Cirkut, who chases his second trophy with DisclosureB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址淗igher Than Ever Before,B次元官网网址 up for best dance/electronic recording. Niagara Falls, Ont.-native Joel Zimmerman, who performs as Deadmau5, splits his nomination with U.S. producer Kaskade on their effort B次元官网网址淜x5,B次元官网网址 which is up for best dance or electronic album.
Rounding out the nominee highlights are William ShatnerB次元官网网址檚 audiobook, Toronto hip-hop and jazz outfit Badbadnotgood in the remix category and Victoria-based metal band Spiritbox, whose B次元官网网址淛adedB次元官网网址 holds a spot for best metal performance.
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