Drake, Mendes and The Weeknd top Juno list
Drake, Shawn Mendes and The Weeknd are the leading nominees heading into this year’s Juno Awards.
They’re all nominated in five categories, while Alessia Cara and the late Leonard Cohen are in the running for four trophies.
Gord Downie and the Tragically Hip are also up for several awards. Downie is nominated for Songwriter of the Year, Best Adult Alternative Album and Best Video. The Tragically Hip are nominated for Group of the Year and Rock Album of the Year.
The Juno Awards will be staged in Ottawa on April 2 and air on CTV. Among the performers will be Mendes, Cara, the Strumbellas, Ruth B and A Tribe Called Red.
This year’s show will also include a tribute to Sarah McLachlan, who is being inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
Michael Bublé is still slated to host, although he and his wife, Argentine actress Luisana Lopilato, announced in November that they would put their careers on hold to devote attention to their three- year- old son Noah, who has been diagnosed with cancer.
The singer backed out of hosting for the Brit Awards last week, although he said in a statement that son Noah is “progressing well” as he undergoes treatment.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
You Want It Darker, Leonard Cohen Encore un Soir, Celine Dion Views, Drake Illuminate, Shawn Mendes Starboy, The Weeknd
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
Wild Things, Alessia Cara One Dance, Drake, ft. Wizkid & Kyla Treat You Better, Shawn Mendes Spirits, The Strumbellas Starboy, The Weeknd, ft. Daft Punk
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Alessia Cara Leonard Cohen Drake Shawn Mendes The Weeknd
GROUP OF THE YEAR
Arkells Billy Talent The Strumbellas Tegan and Sara The Tragically Hip
FAN CHOICE AWARD
Belly Justin Bieber Alessia Cara Drake Hedley Shawn Mendes Ruth B The Strumbellas Tory Lanez The Weeknd
INDIGENOUS MUSIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Crystal Shawanda Fish Out Of Water Bryden Gwiss Kiwenzie Round Dance & Beats ( Powwow) Quantum Tangle Tiny Hands Silla + Rise Debut William Prince Earthly Days
INTERNATIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Sia, This is Acting Rihanna, ANTI One Direction, Made in the A.M. Coldplay, A Head Full of Dreams Ariana Grande, Dangerous Woman