Alessia Cara emerged the top winner at this yearB次元官网网址檚 Juno Awards, scooping up three trophies in a pre-recorded ceremony that paired celebration with an acknowledgment that more needs to be done to represent the diverse voices of Canadian artists.
While the Junos usually mark the biggest night for the countryB次元官网网址檚 music industry, the Monday event, which streamed online, took on a noticeably different tone in isolation. Missing were those euphoric acceptance speeches inside a massive venue filled with adoring fans, replaced with a handful of intimate performances and some serious reflection on the future.
Running a bit over 90 minutes, the Junos were handed out at historic speed, with 42 categories announced by presenters that included B次元官网网址淪tranger ThingsB次元官网网址� actor Finn Wolfhard and singer Jessie Reyez, who also pocketed her third career Juno during the event.
But it was the 23-year-old Cara who shone brightest as her deeply personal 2018 B次元官网网址淭he Pains of GrowingB次元官网网址� picked up both album and pop album of the year, while she also won songwriter of the year for her work on several of its tracks.
It was an uplifting finish for the Brampton, Ont.-raised pop singer after her dreams of hosting the awards show were dashed in the wake of COVID-19. She was originally lined up to be MC for the televised event in Saskatoon last March before organizers pulled the plug in response to the pandemic.
Cara was quick to jump onto Twitter after she came out on top, posting a characteristically humble B次元官网网址渦m whaaaaaaatB次元官网网址� before retweeting congratulatory messages from a couple of her followers.
Aside from the big wins, MondayB次元官网网址檚 ceremony took on a sense of social urgency as greater awareness surrounding representation of Black, Indigenous and other artists of colour became a topic some of the presenters addressed.
CBC Radio host Odario Williams, whoB次元官网网址檚 also a member of hip-hop collective Grand Analog, opened the show with a candid acknowledgment of the many shortfalls of Juno Awards past.
He noted that it took 15 years after the first ceremony in 1970 before soul and reggae artists were included in the list of categories, while it wasnB次元官网网址檛 until 1991 when the first rap recording award was given to Maestro Fresh Wes.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e got to give a shout out to the Black and Indigenous Canadian artists of the B次元官网网址�70s, the B次元官网网址�80s, the B次元官网网址�90s that are true pioneers in the growth of our musical landscape,B次元官网网址� he said, pointing to Liberty Silver, who was the first Black woman to win a Juno in 1985.
ALSO READ:
While Juno organizers have made efforts to improve diversity among its nominees in recent years, president Allan Reid recognized that much work still needs to be done.
B次元官网网址淲e are committed to the long-term inclusion and amplification of Black voices and a more equitable industry for all,B次元官网网址� he said at the outset of the show.
B次元官网网址淲e are working on an action plan with specific commitments that we will reveal this July. We must do better for our BIPOC members of the music community, and we welcome you to hold us accountable.B次元官网网址�
A number of the nightB次元官网网址檚 music performances also put the subject of racism in Canada at the forefront.
Halifax alt-pop duo Neon Dreams, who were selected as breakthrough group this year, gave a sombre performance of B次元官网网址淲e Were Kings.B次元官网网址� The coming-of-age reflection was co-written by lead singer Frank Kadillac about his own experiences rising above stereotypes, racism and high school bullying.
Indigenous singer Iskwe went outdoors to play B次元官网网址滾ittle Star,B次元官网网址� a song paying tribute to Colten Boushie, Tina Fontaine and the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, filmed within the Mississaugas Of Scugog Island First Nation territory.
Other highlights included two-time winner Shawn Mendes, who was selected as artist of the year. B次元官网网址淪enorita,B次元官网网址� his duet with girlfriend Camila Cabello, won single of the year, making him the first artist to pick up that award for three consecutive years.
Breakthrough artist went to Oshawa, Ont.-born pop singer Lennon Stella, whoB次元官网网址檚 already established herself as an actress on the primetime musical-drama series B次元官网网址淣ashville.B次元官网网址�
Avril Lavigne pocketed the fan choice award, which is voted on by viewers, for the second year in a row, and the third time in her career.
Among this yearB次元官网网址檚 most surprising winners is Governor General Julie Payette, whoB次元官网网址檚 a member of the Ottawa Bach Choir that won best classical album, vocal or choral.
Bryan AdamsB次元官网网址� B次元官网网址淪hine a LightB次元官网网址� won adult contemporary album, giving the musician his 17th Juno win and putting him behind only Celine Dion and Anne Murray as the artist with the most Junos.
David Friend, The Canadian Press
Like us on and follow us on .
Want to support local journalism during the pandemic? Make a donation
