Cardin earns four Junos, including single of year
TORONTO — The Junos had meaning — and then some — for Montreal singer-songwriter Charlotte Cardin.
The 27-year-art modelturn-electro-pop-jazz artist won four Canadian music trophies including single of the year for Meaningless, and pop album of the year for Phoenix and artist of the year.
“Oh my God, I'm completely shocked,” said Cardin upon picking up album of the year at the awards show held in Toronto on Sunday night. “Thank you to my fans, this is so special. It's because of you I can be on this journey. I'm so proud of this.”
Cardin also performed Meaningless on the Junos broadcast and went into the crowd where she expertly walked the catwalk and got closer to fans.
Two other multiple Junos winners were Shawn Mendes and Toronto's R&B singer The Weeknd.
Pickering, Ont. hometown hero Mendes won the Tiktok Juno Fan Choice Award and the International Achievement Award.
“I feel super overwhelmed and honoured and thank you so much for this,” said Mendes upon picking up the International Achievement Award.
“When I was younger, I used to think, if I could just write just one big hit song, people would like me and that would be enough. And then it was to be nominated for a Juno or Grammy and I would be enough. I was enough before anybody knew my name. I'm not here to tell you not to chase your dreams. Just remember while you're chasing them, don't forget to enjoy the process.”
The Weeknd's awards included Take My Breath for contemporary R&B recording of the year and songwriter of the year.
In a Junos first, Sunday's night's show and live broadcast on CBC was held outside at Budweiser Stage — for the first ever in the show's 51-year-old history — and was hosted by TV and film actor Simu Liu, who was given tips by previous host Michael Buble via zoom.
“Don't mess it up and become a meme forever,” joked Buble, holding a host handbook.
The broadcast then kicked off with a two-song performance by Hamilton poprock band Arkells who sang Reckoning/you Can Get It and, given they were the first band to play Budweiser Stage last August when the latest COVD-19 lockdown was lifted, that seemed appropriate.
Frontman Max Kerman admitted backstage their dress rehearsal earlier Sunday had sound issues, so they were relieved to get the performance done without incident.
“Nothing worked, and we were like, ‘Oh, boy,' and we couldn't run it again and then when showtime came … but we did it,” said Kerman, adding they also get nervous meeting other Canadian musicians like Arcade Fire's Win Butler backstage before the Montreal group closed out the Junos with Everything Now.
Arkells also won group of the year at Sunday night's show.
As for Liu, he proved to be a game host as he rattled off practically everything Toronto as a city is known for before joining performer Tesher in a dance during the song Jalebi Baby.
“I'm not a curler, but I know what it means to hurry hard, I lost a race against a Canada goose,” said Liu in his opening monologue, in which he also name-dropped Drake, the CN Tower, and the Toronto Maple Leafs, who were just defeated in the playoffs by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
“Better luck next year boys!” Liu said.
Mustafa, who wore a bulletproof vest that said ‘POET' in large letters, performed Still Alive on the Junos broadcast.
Backstage, he explained the significance of the vest.
“I grew up actively defending my faith,” said Mustafa of being a Muslim. “My community, my words, my vulnerability and it's the defence of all of those things that make me what I am and who I am today. I also wore it cause I love vests.”
Another powerful performer was Haviah Mighty, who won best rap album for Stock Exchange, becoming the first female rapper to do so.
“This one's for women in hip hop!” she said onstage.
Backstage, Mighty said making history had not yet sun in.
“I haven't fathomed it yet, I haven't processed it yet,” she said. “This is a lot.”
Also making major strides in that regard were Wondagurl, who took home Jack Richardson producer of the year for the second year in a row, and Hill Kourkoutis, who became the first woman to win recording engineer of the year.
They were among over 40 awards handed out during the non-televised Junos on Saturday night.
Back on the broadcast, Brett Kissel picked up country album of the year for What Is Life? and Deborah Cox was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
“Growing up as a young Black girl in Toronto, this vision seemed intangible,” said Cox accepting her award.
“Oh my God, I’m completely shocked.” Charlotte Cardin Singer