Nominations Announced for The 2021 JUNO Awards

The Weeknd leads with six nominations, Jessie Reyez, JP Saxe and Justin Bieber with five

Voting is now open for JUNO Fan Choice Presented by Freedom Mobile. Fans are encouraged to vote on TikTok and at junofanchoice.ca

TORONTO — The nominees for The 50th Annual JUNO Awards were announced today by The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) during a virtual presentation streamed live via CBCMusic.ca/junos. Following an unprecedented year, the JUNO Awards will serve as a beacon of hope for Canada and the music industry at large. The 2021 JUNO Awards will be broadcast nationwide Sunday, May 16  at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBC TV, CBC Gem, CBC Radio One, CBC Music and globally on CBCMusic.ca/junos.

In celebration of Canada’s rich and diverse music history, the JUNO Awards will take place at several of the most iconic musical landmarks from across the country, including Budweiser Stage in Toronto. A full list of other locations will be released ahead of The JUNO Awards Broadcast, which will be presented to an at-home only audience.

This year’s 225 nominations are led by one of the most compelling and globally successful artists of the 21st century, The Weeknd, who has six nominations including: JUNO Fan Choice*, Single of the Year, Album of the Year*, Artist of the Year*, Songwriter of the Year* and Contemporary R&B Recording of the Year. Artists who received five nominations this year include rising global star, Jessie Reyez, for Artist of the Year*, Songwriter of the Year*, Contemporary R&B Recording of the Year and has two nominations in Music Video of the Year; R&B-influenced pop performer JP Saxe, for JUNO Fan Choice*, Single of the Year, Breakthrough Artist of the Year*, Songwriter of the Year* and Pop Album of the Year; and Canadian superstar Justin Bieber, for JUNO Fan Choice*, Single of the Year, Album of the Year*, Artist of the Year* and Pop Album of the Year.

Artists with three nominations include Ali Gatie for JUNO Fan Choice*, Album of the Year* and Artist of the Year*; Céline Dion for Album of the Year*, Artist of the Year* and Adult Contemporary Album of the Year; Curtis Waters for JUNO Fan Choice*, Breakthrough Artist of the Year* and Alternative Album of the Year*; and Lennon Stella for JUNO Fan Choice*, Single of the Year and Pop Album of the Year.

For a complete list and biographies of all nominees and more information on the 2021 JUNO Awards, please visit junoawards.ca. Rewatch the full JUNO nominee press conference at CBCMusic.ca/junos.

The JUNO Awards is honoured to induct Jann Arden into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. This inductee award presentation is presented, for the first time, by TD Bank Group, and will be celebrated at this year’s JUNO Awards from her hometown at Calgary’s Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre. This year’s Humanitarian Award Presented by Music Canada will be presented to The Tragically Hip during the JUNO Awards Broadcast. The legendary Pegi Cecconi will be honoured with the Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award for her role in the development and success of many artists, including Rush. This special award, along with 37 additional JUNO statuettes, will be handed out at the JUNO Opening Night Awards on Friday, May 14, 2021. Gary Slaight will receive the 2021 MusiCounts Inspired Minds Ambassador Award, presented by the Canadian Scholarship Trust Foundation, to recognize his philanthropic impact on music education in Canada.  MusiCounts will also recognize an inspirational and passionate Canadian music educator’s impact not only on students, but on their community and the music education field, through the MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award, presented by the Canadian Scholarship Trust Foundation. The 2021 nominees are Bruce Millerd (Carleton Village Sports & Wellness Academy, Toronto, ON), Mary Piercey-Lewis (Inuksuk High School, Iqaluit, NU), Nicholas Pettipas (Bicentennial School, Dartmouth, NS),  Sophie Jalbert (École Roy et Joly, Rivière-du-Loup, QC), and Stephen Richardson (École St. Joseph, Yellowknife, NT).

The JUNO Awards will return to Toronto after a decade, marking the 26th time that the city will host Canada’s most iconic celebration of music. Toronto is known for its vibrant and ever-evolving music scene and has produced some of Canada’s most iconic and best-selling artists in the world, including 2021 JUNO Awards nominees Alessia Cara, Ali Gatie, Jessie Reyez, JP Saxe, Lennon Stella, NAV, Shawn Mendes and The Weeknd.

*Award Sponsors for The 2021 JUNO Awards include:  Album of the Year Presented by Music Canada, Alternative Album of the Year Presented by Long & McQuade, Artist of the Year and Group of the Year Presented by SiriusXM Canada, Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Breakthrough Group of the Year Presented by FACTOR, The Government of Canada and Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters, Comedy Album of the Year Presented by SiriusXM Canada, Electronic Album of the Year Presented by Ford of Canada, Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year Presented by APTN, JUNO Fan Choice Presented by Freedom Mobile, Songwriter of the Year Presented by SOCAN.

PwC is a trusted partner of the 2021 JUNO Awards.

For promotional graphics, publicity photos, suggested social copy, logos and more reference our Digital Toolkit

Web Links:

Official JUNO Awards website: www.junoawards.ca

CBC Music: www.cbcmusic.ca/junos

Digital Toolkit

JUNO Awards

CARAS acknowledges the financial support of FACTOR, the Government of Canada and of Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters.

Lead Sponsors TD Bank Group, SiriusXM Canada, Freedom Mobile, Ford of Canada, and TikTok

Funding Partners: The Province of Ontario, the City of Toronto and Radio Starmaker Fund

About CARAS

The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) is a not-for-profit organization created to preserve and enhance the Canadian music industry and promote higher artistic and industry standards. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the JUNO Awards, a national celebration of Canadian music. In honour of this significant milestone, CARAS will launch exciting initiatives in the host city of Toronto, and nationally across our country. Each initiative will drive forward CARAS’ four key pillars: Educate through MusiCounts’ charitable programs and community resources, Develop emerging artists through mentorship and development programs, Celebrate Canadian artists with year-round JUNO Awards showcasing, and Honour music industry icons through the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. In a time unlike any other, our sound connects and unites us. The JUNOS are proud to represent so many Canadian facets of music, performance and recording, distinctly, All Our Sound. For more information on the 50th Annual JUNO Awards or The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) please visit www.junoawards.ca.

About CBC/Radio-Canada

CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster. Through our mandate to inform, enlighten and entertain, we play a central role in strengthening Canadian culture. As Canada’s trusted news source, we offer a uniquely Canadian perspective on news, current affairs and world affairs. Our distinctively homegrown entertainment programming draws audiences from across the country. Deeply rooted in communities, CBC/Radio-Canada offers diverse content in English, French and eight Indigenous languages. We also deliver content in Spanish, Arabic and Chinese, as well as both official languages, through Radio Canada International (RCI). We are leading the transformation to meet the needs of Canadians in a digital world.

About CBC Music

CBC Music connects Canadians with the very best in music. Available through the CBC Listen app, online, on radio and in television specials throughout the year, CBC Music privileges Canadian artists and songs. Offering 200 free music streams, CBC Music draws from all genres and classifications with knowledgeable hosts and programmers. Home to the JUNO Awards and your favourite music from across the country, discover the next great act with CBC Music. For more, visit www.cbcmusic.ca.

For interview requests, image requests or additional information, please contact:

Sheri Clish, rock-it promotions, sheri@rockitpromo.com

Tonisha Bath, rock-it promotions, tonisha@rockitpromo.com

For more information about The 2021 JUNO Awards Broadcast on CBC, contact:

Teaghan Hawke, CBC, teaghan.hawke@cbc.ca 416.205.6863

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